Ambrosius

Dassmann, Ernst

doi:10.24894/al.ambrosius

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“…29 After that period, references occur more frequently and during the Pelagian controversy Augustine copiously cites Ambrose (alongside Cyprian) as an episcopal peer, especially against the deposed and exiled bishop Julian of Aeclanum. 30 Augustine also commissioned a biography of Ambrose from the latter's former secretary, Paulinus of Milan, a work which became an indispensable source for the life of Ambrose. It has therefore been suggested that "at one level, Augustine has exerted a greater influence over Ambrose than vice versa."…”

Section: Milestones Of the Latin Fourth Centurymentioning

confidence: 99%

Latin Christian Literature I (Polemical and Theological Writings)

Lössl¹

Augustine in Context

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Three areas spring immediately to mind when considering the context of Augustine's intellectual endeavour with a focus on polemical and theological writings in early Latin Christian literature, 1) Tertullian, Cyprian, Novatian, and the third/early fourth century apologists, 2) the aftermath of the Arian controversy that saw the rise of writers such as Hilary of Poitiers and Ambrose of Milan, and 3) Augustine's own time with its various controversies, against Manichaeans, Donatists, Pelagians and writings related to the ongoing discussions about the nature of God and Christ, in the aftermath of the Council of Constantinople (381) and in the run-up to the Councils of Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451).It makes sense to link the terms "polemical" and "theological" in this context, since early Christian theological writing emerged from a polemical discourse both within the early Churchagainst hereticsand withoutagainst Jews and paganswhich was at the same time a process of delimitating the Church's "true doctrine" against heresies as well as against non-Christian religious teachings and practices. From Tertullian to LactantiusLatin Christian polemical and theological literature erupted in the last decade of the second century with a loud bang, Tertullian. 1 Born around 170, Tertullian, a resident of Carthage in Roman North Africa, wrote his main extant works in the years between 196 and 212. The breadth, depth and impact of his thought on later writers is proverbial. Augustine, who seems not to have liked him personally and treats him as a heresiarch and founder of the sect of "Tertullianists", 2 nevertheless had to admit to his enormous influence, and never hesitated to borrow from the many soundbites he had coined, among them, for example, the saying that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. 3 Jerome, who dedicated a chapter to Tertullian in his work on "famous men", 4 reports that the great bishop Cyprian of Carthage, who was martyred in 258, referred to him as "the master".As indicated in the introduction, Tertullian's work was characterised by the need to delimitate Christian teaching and practice against Judaism and pagan religion as well as against variations within Christianity. As a dominant literary figure, Tertullian, although seen from a later perspective -not entirely "orthodox" himself, nevertheless assumed a decisive position in formulating what became orthodox doctrine in Latin Christianity. He wrote apologies such as the famous Apologeticum, doctrinal works directed against heretics (e. g. Against Marcion, Against Praxeas, Against the Valentinians; and even a work entitled Prescriptions against all heresies is attributed to him) and also works on ascetic and ritual practice (e. g. On Baptism or On Monogamy).In rhetorical terms an excellent polemicist, Tertullian, who was most likely as fluent in Greek as in Latin, was also closely interested in Biblical exegesis. He probably used the Bible in its Greek versions and translated passages according to his needs, since an authoritative Latin...

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Section: Milestones Of the Latin Fourth Centurymentioning

confidence: 99%

Latin Christian Literature I (Polemical and Theological Writings)

Lössl¹

Augustine in Context

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Ambrosius

Cited by 1 publication

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Latin Christian Literature I (Polemical and Theological Writings)

Latin Christian Literature I (Polemical and Theological Writings)

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