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Confessions Books IX – XII Background

Confessions Books IX – XII Background. Dr. Ann T. Orlando 21 Jan 2008. Introduction. Spiritual Progress Role of Bishop in Antiquity Time and Eternity. The Idea of Spiritual Progress. Goal to climb ‘Jacobs Ladder’ to union with God Development of approaches to spirituality

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Confessions Books IX – XII Background

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  1. ConfessionsBooks IX – XII Background Dr. Ann T. Orlando 21 Jan 2008

  2. Introduction • Spiritual Progress • Role of Bishop in Antiquity • Time and Eternity

  3. The Idea of Spiritual Progress • Goal to climb ‘Jacobs Ladder’ to union with God • Development of approaches to spirituality • Biblically based, usually with a highly allegorical interpretation • Intended to be accessible to everyone, found in homilies • Well defined steps in approach to spiritual life

  4. Major Elements to Spiritual Progress • Three Stages • Purgation • Illumination • Unity • In different authors, there may be several steps within each stage • Gregory of Nyssa (and many others, including Origen, rabbis, Bernard of Clairvaux) Commentary on Song of Songs • Proverbs first stage (purgation) • Ecclesiastes second stage (illumination) • Song of Songs third stage (unity)

  5. Types of Spirituality • Both types include purgation, illumination and unity stages • Spiritual masters suggested steps for both ways • Apophatic (via negativa) • Move toward God away from creation; God as transcendent • Discourages use of senses; Emotions suppressed • Heart is only satisfied with God • Bridal mysticism • Example: Monasticism • Kataphatic (via positiva) • Approaching God through creation; incarnation and passion of Jesus • Encourages use of sense; Emotions are excited • God has a history in the world • Service mysticism • Example: Pilgrimages

  6. Plotinus (Enneads) and Gregory of Nyssa (Inscription of the Psalms) on Ascent to God

  7. Changing Role of Bishop in 4th C • Because of increasing instability in Empire, bishops take on more of civil administration, especially in cities • Educated • Respected by most of people • In particular, bishops also act as judges in their diocese (Roman administrative province) • Bishops become increasingly powerful and wealthy

  8. Constantine and Church in Rome • Before he leaves (312), he ‘gives’ most of Rome to the Pope • That is, he gives the land and buildings of his enemies to Pope • Most important of these is the Lateran Palace • Church overnight becomes the most important landholder in Rome • Converts pagan temples into Christian churches • Builds new Churches, especially at site of martyrdoms with money from Constantine

  9. Major Social Changes in 4th C • Christian clergy given tax relief • Churches could receive legacies • Sunday as a day of rest • Christian could not charge another Christian interest on a loan (sin of usury) • Crucifixion prohibited • No branding of prisoners because mars image of God

  10. Implications of Changes (from 500 to 1600) in Europe • Bishops are key to political as well as spiritual rule • Running controversy over centuries between Popes and Kings about who appoints bishops • Civil law in Medieval Europe based on Roman and Ecclesial Law • Church controls education and much of the economy by bishops and monasteries • Church was a ‘democratic’ institution • Problem of usury

  11. Time and Eternity • Book XI important meditation on time • Because • First words of Genesis • Arianism: relation of Word to Father • Key understanding: God created time In the beginning but Word exists with Father and Spirit in eternity • Trinity is outside of time in eternity • Eternity is not infinite time • Eternity is more like time experienced all at once in an unending present • Augustine’s meditation on time shaped how time has been conceived ever since

  12. Things to Look For in Books IX-XI • Augustine’s spiritual progress • Monica’s story • Compare grief at Monica’s death with death of unnamed friend • Augustine addresses his readers • Now that he is a bishop, is he sinless? • Time

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