208 Pages
    by Routledge

    208 Pages
    by Routledge

    Theodore, bishop of Mopsuestia, (c.350-428) stands out as the pre-eminent exponent of the School of Antioch’s literal, historical and rational emphases in exegesis and of its staunch defence of Christ’s humanity. At his death, he was hailed as one of the outstanding, prolific biblical theologians of his time. However, after his works and person were later condemned at the Second Council of Constantinople in 553, he is known today primarily as the "Father of Nestorianism."

    This addition to the Early Church Fathers series provides in one place new extensive translations of Theodore’s major extant works that have not been available in English up unto the present. It also summarizes the secondary literature and discusses at length the fundamental features of his theological thinking, especially regarding his method of exegesis and his functional stress on the union of Christ’s natures as occurring in ‘one common prosopon.’

    Frederick G. McLeod presents passages from Theodore’s major works ‘On the Incarnation’ and his ‘Cathechetical Homilies;’ his commentaries on Psalm 8, Adam’s creation, John, Philippians 2, Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians; and his rejection of the allegorists and Apollinaris, as well as providing all the anathemas of Constantinople II against Theodore’s works and person.

    This book will be invaluable to any scholar who wishes to read firsthand what this influential and controversial figure has actually written.

     

    Part 1:  1. Theodore’s Life  2. History of Secondary Literature  3. Theodore’s Exegetical Method  4. Examples of Theodore’s Exegetical Method  5. God’s Indwelling of Good Pleasure  6. Theodore’s Understanding of Hypostasis and Prosopon  7. The Functional Unity of Christ’s Natures  8. Assessment  Part 2:  9. General Introduction to the Texts  10. In Opposition to the Allegorists  11. Commentary on Psalm 8  12. Commentary on the Creation of Adam and Eve  13. Commentary on John’s Gospel  14. Commentary on Philippians 2: 6-11  15. Selections from the Commentaries on Galatians, Ephesians and Colossians  16. On the Incarnation  17. In Opposition to Apollinaris  18. Catechetical Homilies  19. Conciliar Anathemas

    Biography

    Frederick G. McLeod has a doctorate in Oriental Christian Studies from Rome and is recently retired from St. Louis University’s Department of Theological Studies.

    'The author combines detailed scholarship with an accessible style, and so makes the work of this important church Father accessible to a wide readership.'Revd Dr John Binns, Vicar of Great St Mary’s, Cambridge, and an Hon. Canon of Ely Cathedral

    'The author combines detailed scholarship with an accessible style, and so makes the work of this important church Father accessible to a wide readership.' Revd Dr John Binns, Church Times

    'One would be hard pressed to think of a scholar more qualified than Frederick McLeod to produce a volume for this series on Theodore of Mopsuestia (ca. 350–428). . . In this book McLeod gives an excellent introduction to the thought of Theodore, particularly those aspects of it which scholars continue to debate, and has judiciously chosen to translate texts that help illuminate these issues.' Mark DelCogliano, University of St. Thomas, Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2010.08.21