Gregory Nazianzen's methodeology of the theological arguing

Project Information

Gregory

Grant agreement ID: 660894

DOI

10.3030/660894

Project closed

EC signature date 9 March 2015

Start date 1 July 2015

End date 29 July 2017

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 200 194,80

EU contribution

€ 200 194,80

Coordinated by

AARHUS UNIVERSITET
Denmark

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Gregory (Gregory Nazianzen's methodeology of the theological arguing)

Reporting period: 2015-07-01 to 2017-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Epistemological theories of the patristic authors seldom attract the attention of the researchers. This unfortunate status quo contrasts with a crucial place of the theory of knowledge in the thought of such prominent authors as Origen and the Cappadocian fathers. In my research project, I studied epistemological models used by Christian exegetes and theologians and Hellenic philosophers, textual critics, grammarians, and scholars in various socio-cultural and institutional contexts of Late Antiquity. In the context of the Church history, I investigated the epistemological discourse of the Eunomian controversy, Eunomius’ language theory and Gregory Nazianzen’s cognitive theory, where the ideas of Apostle Paul were creatively combined with the Peripatetic teaching. In the framework of Biblical exegesis, I studied how the epistemological principles of Homeric textual critics and Jewish exegetes shaped Origen’s paradigm of the Biblical studies. I showed that such prominent Early Christian theologians as Origen, Basil of Caesarea, Eunomius and Gregory Nazianzen devoted particular attention to the specification of the epistemological principles of theological and exegetical investigation, and to the regulation of the reading-writing practices in Christian community. It is particularly intersecting that these authors applied and recommended the critical approach to the theological studies; they highly valued textual criticism of the Bible, grammatical, historical and scientific study of the biblical and theological problems. These epistemological principles of the prominent Christian teachers influenced the educational paradigm and research methodology of Byzantine scholars. Although a focal point of my research is in the historical, philosophical and philological investigation of the ancient sources, my study revolves around epistemological, cognitive and linguistic problems and questions concerning reception and transmission of the knowledge (in textual and oral forms) which are at stake in contemporary scholarly discussions. Understanding of the development of patristic theory of knowledge and its interaction with Hellenic scientific and Jewish exegetical discourses is very important for the contemporary dialogue between religion and science and between different religions.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

My research project has resulted in a monograph Knowledge, Language and Intellection from Origen to Gregory Nazianzen. A Selective Survey (forthcoming in Peter Lang, in autumn 2017; a green access to the book will be provided by the publisher). During the period of my fellowship I presented the results of my research at the academic meetings of various research groups at Aarhus University (Centre for the study Antiquity and Christianity and The New Testament Research Unit), and at the international conferences and workshops in Lublin, Canterbury, Denmark, Oslo. The papers that I presented at the international conferences are forthcoming in 2018. On the basis of the material of my monograph I gave a course for the PhD students from Aarhus University and 6 other European Universities, Co-investigators of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network The History of Human Freedom and Dignity in Western Civilization. For the final approbation of my results, I organized an international conference (in collaboration with Prof. Bernard Pouderon, University of Tours) entitled Theology as a Way of Reception of Scripture, held at Sønderborg (Denmark), 1st—4th June 2017. The materials of the conference will be published in the series ECCA (Early Christianity in the Context of Antiquity), Peter Lang.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

As a result of a long-term privilege of the historical-philological approach that frequently predisposes scholars to question theological texts chiefly within the Christian theological framework and to make little of other relevant contexts, investigation of the epistemological theories of the Christian authors is seldom a topic of the patristic studies. For instance, the epistemological teaching of such a prominent Christian authors as Origen, Basil of Caesarea, Eunomius and Gregory Nazianzen, has not been sufficiently investigated. I problematize this status quo and I suggest that it is necessary to study the heritage of the mentioned authors with regard to the institutional and socio-cultural trends of Late Antiquity as well as relevant historical events and scientific and philosophical discussions.
In such a way, I found it beneficial to inspect an impact of the contemporary philosophical and scientific discussions on Gregory’s thought as well as of the educational trends and the socio-cultural controversies pushed forward by the legalization of Christianity and the social policy of Julian the Emperor. Viewed in the light of epistemological discussions the theological orations show a new anthropological and cognitive strand of Gregory’s teaching and also reveal a remarkable Peripatetic aspect of his doctrine.
My study comprises two major parts. The first part provides an introduction to those aspects of Hellenic social life and culture (libraries, schools, scriptoria) which are relevant to the formation of the Christian paideia and biblical exegesis. It also surveys the notions of Peripatetic and Stoic logic, linguistics and grammar and shows how these terms and conceptions were adopted by Origen, Eunomius, Basil and Gregory in their theological argumentation. On the whole, the purpose of the first part is to sketch a comprehensive background for the discussions about knowledge, language and intellection, which featured in the doctrines of the mentioned authors and occasioned the composition by Gregory Nazianzen of his theological orations.
The second part of the monograph illuminates the crucial clusters of epistemological, linguistic and ontological puzzles which resound throughout the theological orations of Gregory Nazianzen (written in reaction to Eunomian teaching); it also shows in what way the epistemological and cognitive theories that had emerged in Hellenic philosophy penetrated Gregory’s theological discourse and shaped his anthropological, Christological and Trinitarian teaching.
A principal methodological challenge introduced into theology by Origen and the Cappadocian fathers was that they ventured exploration and explication of the topical theological matters in the terms of contemporary science and philosophy instead of merely teaching ex cathedra some unexplainable divine doctrines. They took advantage of the logical, linguistic, cognitive and philosophical discourses and applied the relevant notions and terms to the interpretation of the biblical narrative and formulation of the theological doctrines. I hope that the results of my investigation that soon will be published in my book and articles will provoke further questioning and investigation of the epistemological theories of the patristic authors within their relevant multidimensional contexts.

St. Gregory of Nazianzus. icon