Scripture as Real Presence – Sacramental Exegesis in the Early Church

Hans Boersma (PhD, University of Utrecht), a highly regarded theologian and an experienced preacher, is St. Benedict Servants of Christ Chair in Ascetical Theology at Nashotah House in Wisconsin. He previously taught at Regent College, Vancouver. Boersma is the author of numerous books, including Sacramental Preaching; Violence, Hospitality, and the Cross; and Heavenly Participation.

Contents

1. Patristic Reading
The Church Fathers on Sacramental Reading of Scripture
Scripture as Sacrament
Metaphysics and Hermeneutics: Origen, Hobbes, and Spinoza
Sacramental Reading in Origen: Discerning Heavenly Patterns
Irenaeus's Recapitulation as Sacramental Reading
Retrieving Sacramental Reading: Meaning, Virtue, Progress, and Providence
Conclusion
2. Literal Reading
Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine on the Creation Accounts of Genesis
Patristic Interest in Reading by the Letter
Gregory of Nyssa, On the Making of Man
Gregory's Literal Reading as Theological
Augustine's Turn to Literal Exegesis
Theological Literalism in Saint Augustine
Conclusion
3. Hospitable Reading
Origen and Chrysostom on the Theophany of Genesis 18
Interpretation as Hospitality
Origen: The Son of God at Mamre
Origen: Hospitality as Allegory
Chrysostom: Divine Condescension at Mamre and in Scripture
Chrysostom: Hospitality as Interpersonal Moral Virtue
Conclusion
4. Other Reading
Melito of Sardis and Origen on the Passover of Exodus 12
The Exodus: Allegory as Arbitrary Reading?
Typology in Scripture
Melito of Sardis, On Pascha
Origen, Treatise on the Passover
Conclusion
5. Incarnational Reading
Origen on the Historical Narrative of Joshua
Allegory and Event
Origen's Polemical Context
Scripture as Incarnate Logos
Mysterii video sacramentum
History's Rightful Place
From History to Spirit: Biblical Rationale
Conclusion
6. Harmonious Reading
Clement of Alexandria, Athanasius, Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, and Augustine on the Music of the Psalms
Tuning People with the Psalms
Harmony in the Platonic Tradition
Harmony in the Early Church
Restoring Harmony: Virtue and Emotions in the Psalms
Harmony with the Voice of Christ
Gregory of Nyssa on the Order of the Psalms
Conclusion
7. Doctrinal Reading
Athanasius and Gregory of Nyssa on the Wisdom of Proverbs 8
Spiritual Interpretation and Christian Doctrine
From Origen to Eusebius
Athanasius: Interpretive Strategies
Athanasius: Exegesis 1 and 2
Gregory of Nyssa: Turning the Peacock
Gregory of Nyssa: Christ Created, Established, and Born in Us
Reading Wisdom Sacramentally
Conclusion
8. Nuptial Reading
Hippolytus, Origen, and Ambrose on the Bridal Couple of the Song of Songs
Contemporary Readings of the Song of Songs
Hippolytus: Allegory and Economy
Origen: Ecclesial and Personal Readings
Ambrose: Ecclesial Asceticism
Conclusion
9. Prophetic Reading
Irenaeus, Cyril of Alexandria, Origen, Eusebius, Gregory of Nyssa, Jerome, Ambrose, and Augustine on the Servant Songs of Isaiah
Prophecy and Fulfillment: A Sacramental Bond
Edward Pusey's Sacramental Typology
Looking for Christ in Isaiah's Prophecies
Christ as the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53
Christological Reading and the Wirkungsgeschichte of the Text
Christological Mystery Hidden in the Servant Songs
Wounded by Love: Associations of the Chosen Arrow (Isa. 49:2)
Conclusion
10. Beatific Reading
Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine, and Leo the Great on the Beatitudes of Matthew 5
Spiritual Interpretation of the New Testament
Interpreting between Cave and Mountain
Gregory of Nyssa and Multiplicity of Meaning
Virtue and Salvation
Virtue and Interpretation
Numbering the Steps of Virtue
Conclusion
Conclusion
Indexes