Mind, Text, and Commentary: Noetic Exegesis in Origen of Alexandria, Didymus the Blind, and Evagrius Ponticus

421 Pages·2010·10.14 MB·English

by  Blossom Stefaniw

EARLY CHRISTIANITY
IN THE CONTEXT
OF ANTIQUITY
Edited by David Brakke, Anders-Christian Jacobsen, Jörg Ulrich
Blossom Stefaniw
Mind, Text,
and Commentary
Noetic Exegesis in
Origen of Alexandria, Didymus the Blind,
and Evagrius Ponticus
6
PETER LANG
Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
Scholarship on early Christian exegesis is full of puzzlement at the commentator’s ap-
parent lack of concern for the literal or historical meaning of the text, usually explained
as the result of an illegitimate allegorical method. his study comes to grips with the
particularities of this type of interpretation by using tools from ethnography and literary
criticism. By analysing the commentator’s interpretive assumptions and the framework
of significances within which the commentaries were produced and read, the author
is able to solve a chronic problem in the study of early Christian exegesis. Further, she
articulates the social context of the performance of noetic exegesis and its significance
for monastic teachers, philosophers, and their audiences.
Blossom Stefaniw grew up in both the United States and Papua New Guinea, com-
pleting her undergraduate studies in 1999. After taking a Masters of heology at the
University of Wales, she completed her PhD in Religious Studies at the University of
Erfurt (Germany). She is currently pursuing postdoctoral research.
www.peterlang.de
Mind, Text, and Commentary
EARLY CHRISTIANITY
IN THE CONTEXT
OF ANTIQUITY
Edited by David Brakke,
Anders-Christian Jacobsen,
Jörg Ulrich
Advisory board:
Hanns Christof Brennecke
Ferdinand R. Prostmeier
Einar Thomassen
Nils Arne Pedersen
Volume 6
PETER LANg
Frankfurt am Main · Berlin · Bern · Bruxelles · New York · Oxford · Wien
Blossom Stefaniw
Mind, Text,
and Commentary
Noetic Exegesis in
Origen of Alexandria, Didymus the Blind,
and Evagrius Ponticus
PETER LANg
Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
Bibliographic Information published by the Deutsche
Nationalbibliothek
The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the
Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data is
available in the internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de.
Zugl.: Erfurt, Univ., Diss., 2008
Cover design:
Olaf glöckler, Atelier Platen, Friedberg
547
ISSN 1862-197X
ISBN 978-3-653-00187-7
© Peter Lang gmbH
Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften
Frankfurt am Main 2010
All rights reserved.
All parts of this publication are protected by copyright. Any
utilisation outside the strict limits of the copyright law, without
the permission of the publisher, is forbidden and liable to
prosecution. his applies in particular to reproductions,
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www.peterlang.de
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CChhapter 1
SSttuudying Exegesis, Interpreting Interpretation 9
Introduction 9
Sample Exegetes and Source Texts 16
Origen of Alexandria (185–254) 20
Didymus the Blind (c. 313–c. 398) 23
Evagrius Ponticus (c. 345–c. 400) 27
Terminology 28
Christians and Pagans 42
Precedent and Progress in the Interpretation of Interpretation 43
CChhapter 2
WWhat: What Manner of Thing Was The Text Beleived To Be? 59
Introduction 59
The Larger Cultural Context 63
The Nature of the Text and Exegetical Controversy 73
Traditional Texts as Media of Revelation in the Sample Commentators 86
The Authors of Traditional Texts as Visionaries and Prophets 96
Constructing Revelation:
Interpretive Maintenance of the Authority of the Text 116
Perceiving the Moral and Spiritual Referent 132
Conclusions 145
6 Mind, Text, and Commentary
CChhapter 3
WWhy: Under What Conditions Was Noetic Exegesis Considered
NNeecessary? 149
Introduction 149
The Intelligible and the Sensible:
Metaphysical Categories and Multiple Referents 154
Ordinary Language and Perfect Knowledge:
The Paradox of Written Revelation 198
Conclusions 218
CChhapter 4
HHoow: The Performance, Embodiment,
aannd Acquisition of Noetic Skill 221
Introduction 221
Contemporary Psychology and the Cognitive Equipment
Used in Noetic Exegesis 228
Embodying Noetic Skill: the Interpreter
as Philosopher, Holy Man, or Spiritual Guide 253
Exegesis and Education: Acquiring Noetic Skill 266
Philosophical Formation in the Larger Cultural Context 270
Origen’s Curriculum 276
Didymus the Blind’s Curriculum 284
Evagrius and Monastic Formation 289
Conclusions 296
Blossom Stefaniw 7
CChhapter 5
WWhere: The Social and Institutional Context
ooff Noetic Exegesis 299
Introduction 299
The Logistics of Higher Education in the Larger Culture 305
Pedagogical Logistics in Origen 313
Pedagogical Logistics in Didymus 319
Pedagogical Logistics in Evagrius 325
Noetic Exegesis in Practice 330
The Praxis of Noetic Exegesis in Origen’s School 334
The Praxis of Noetic Exegesis in the School of Didymus 340
Evagrius’ Praxis of Noetic Exegesis in Instruction 345
Confession and Interpretation 356
Conclusions 363
CChhapter 6
NNooetic Exegesis 365
Introduction 365
A Thick Description of Noetic Exegesis 366
The Interpretive Assumptions Governing Noetic Exegesis 374
Noetic Exegesis, Neoplatonist Influence, and Cultural Context 377
Noetic Exegesis, Patristics, and Ancient History 384
Bibliography 387
Acknowledgements 415