The Bishop and the Apostle: Cyprian’s Pastoral Exegesis of Paul

Description

This study examines how Cyprian of Carthage, the most significant bishop in the early Latin tradition, appropriates the canonical Paul.Cyprian, like Paul, is a pastoral theologian, so his pastoral concerns provide a helpful lens through which to study his use of the apostle. These include divine truth and eternal glory; the church's unity, ministry and sacraments; discipline and repentance; and wealth and welfare. Examining Cyprian's use of Paul in these areas allows us to move beyond a simple literal/allegorical paradigm to appreciate the wide range of reading strategies used by Cyprian: model, image, maxim, title, contextual exegesis, direct application, prophetic fulfilment and qualification. It also provides a different perspective on Paul than the one arrived at by privileging a handful of texts.This study of Cyprian's appropriation of Pauline texts therefore illuminates the interplay between text, context and theology in his exegesis. It also deepens our understanding of the early North African hermeneutical tradition and the early reception of Paul. Abbreviations XI  Introduction 1 . Scion of Carthage: A life in context 2 From darkness to light 5 . Bishop of Carthage: Pastor, theologian, patron 9 . Hearing God’s voice: Text and canon 13 Cyprian’s text of Scripture 14 Canon 15 Cyprian’s Paul 16 . Appropriating Scripture: Patristic exegesis and the early Latin tradition 17 Cyprian’s exegesis 19 Cyprian and Paul 20 . Writing pastoral care: Treatises, testimonia and letters 22 Quod idola dii non sint 23 Ad Quirinum 24 De unitate 27 Letters 28 Versions 29 . Interpreting Paul: Pastoral concerns and reading strategies 30  Hope does not disappoint: Divine truth and eternal glory 33 . Model 35 . Image 40 . Maxim 46 . Direct application 47 . Prophetic fulfilment 58 . Qualification 60 . Conclusion 61  Christ loved the church: Unity, ministry and sacraments 67 . Model 73 Rome and her bishop 76 . Image 78 . Maxim 86 . Title 88 . Contextual exegesis 90 . Direct application 92 Unity 95 Eucharist 101 Bishops 103 . Prophetic fulfilment 105 . Conclusion 107  Be imitators of me: Discipline and repentance 111 . Model 112 . Image 121 . Maxim 127 . Direct application 130 Virgins 137 Ad Quirinum 140 . Prophetic fulfilment 148 . Conclusion 149  A sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to God: Wealth and welfare 151 . Model 154 . Image 155 . Direct application 160 . Qualification 166 . Conclusion 167  Interpreting Paul 170 . Reading strategies and pastoral concerns 171 Model 171 Image 172 Maxim 173 Title and contextual exegesis 174 Direct application 174 Prophetic fulfilment 175 Qualification 176 . Testimonia, treatises and letters: Context, care and communication 176 . The blessed apostle Paul 178 . Preaching the truths of the gospel 182 . Doctor Sacrae Scripturae, Doctor Gratiae? 183 . The church in context: Martyrs, marriage, money and the ministry 186 Martyrs 187 Marriage 188 Money 191 Ministry 193 . Conclusion: Looking back, looking ahead 194 Bibliography 196 Primary Sources 196 Secondary Sources 198 Index of Ancient Sources 210 Index of Subjects 222