Joy-bearing grief : tears of contrition in the writings of the early Syrian and Byzantine fathers / by Hannah Hunt.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hunt, Hannah.

Series:

Medieval Mediterranean ; v. 57.

The medieval Mediterranean, 0928-5520 ; v. 57

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Repentance--Christianity--History of doctrines.

Repentance.

Crying--Religious aspects--Christianity--History of doctrines.

Crying.

Fathers of the church, Syriac.

Fathers of the church, Greek.

Orthodox Eastern Church--Doctrines--History.

Orthodox Eastern Church.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (287 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2004.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This volume is the first full-length study of penthos (tears of contrition) since Hausherr's in 1944. It traces its exposition in the early eastern Christian tradition, through detailed analysis of Greek and Syriac texts by Klimakos, Ephrem, Isaac and Symeon the New Theologian. It suggests why such weeping is, for these writers, a joyful as well as a sobering experience, and it places their writings in their historical and geographical context, giving some lexicographical background. Issues of religious anthropology, and the unusual choice of a female exegete in the person of the 'sinful woman' (Luke 7.36-50) are considered. The conclusion points the way to an appropriate theological interpretation of these teachings and highlights modern, non-monastic examples of joy-bearing, penitent grief.

Contents:

Abbreviations. ix

Preface. xi

Section I: Introduction

Introduction What is Penthos and Where is It Found?. 3

The Lexicography of Penthos and Its Distinction from Other Types of Melancholy. 3

Patristic Distinctions Between Compunction, Mourning for Sin and Melancholy. 9

Expressions of Grief for Sin in the Medieval Mediterranean World. 17

The Semitic Provenance of Penthos. 20

Recent Studies of Penthos. 25

Section II: The Call To Repentance From The Desert

Chapter One The Desert Tradition. 41

Chapter Two The Place of Klimakos Within the Desert Tradition. 51

Chapter Three Exegesis of Step 7 of The Ladder of Divine Ascent. 65

The Structure of The Ladder and the Context of Step 7. 66

Definitions of Penthos. 75

Purifying Tears and Baptism. 82

Fear and Love of God. 84

Spiritual Laughter. 86

Tears as an Indication of Spiritual Growth. 87

The Integration of the Whole Person in the Process of Mourning. 88

Human Endeavour and God's Grace. 90

Section III: 'She Bathed His Feet With Her Tears:' Ephremic Interpretations Of Luke 7.36-50

Chapter Four The Early Syrian Perspective. 97

Encratism and Anthropology. 101

Chapter Five The Context of Syrian Commentaries on the 'Sinful Woman'. 107

A Typology of Womanhood. 110

Syrian Commentaries on the 'Sinful Woman:'

Inner Dialogue, Transformation and the Eye of Faith. 114

Section IV: 'That Sweet Life-Restoring Sorrow Of Which The Apostle Spoke:' Isaac Of Nineveh's Teachings On Tears Of Repentance

Chapter Six The Sitz im Leben of Isaac. 129

Chapter Seven Encratism and Human Integrity. 135

Chapter Eight Hierarchies of the Spiritual State. 153

Chapter Nine Humanity's Filiation With God. 159

Section V: 'You Will See Him Whom No Man Has Seen:' Symeon The New Theologian's Reappropriation Of Desert Teaching

Chapter Ten Context and Biography. 171

Chapter Eleven Symeon's Sources and Influences: Messalianism, Donatism and Macarius. 181

Chapter Twelve Eulabes as the New Theologian's Prime Source. 187

Chapter Thirteen Symeon the New Theologian and Penthos 201

Chapter Fourteen The Authority of Penthos and Its Sacramental Roots. 211

Conclusion. 225

The Tradition of the Eastern Christian Church. 228

Restoration to the Image of God: Penthos and God the Father. 230

Human Autonomy and Divine Incorporation: Penthos and God the Son. 235

Charismatic Authority: Penthos and the Holy Spirit. 238

Summary of the Patristic Teachings on Penthos. 241

Joy-Bearing Grief. 242

Bibliography. 247

Primary Sources. 247

Secondary Material. 253

Glossary of Technical Terms Used. 263

Index of Biblical References. 265

Index of Subjects. 266

Index of Ancient Authors. 270

Index of Modern Scholars. 271.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [247]-261) and indexes.

ISBN:

1-280-86723-X

9786610867233

1-4294-2915-1

90-474-0645-1

1-4337-0686-5

OCLC:

476024139

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789047406457 DOI