The Legacy of the Feminine in the Christology of Origen of Alexandria, Methodius of Olympus, and Gregory of Nyssa

For Origen of Alexandria, Methodius of Olympus, and Gregory of Nyssa, who, through various networks of connections, fall into a kind of theological and philosophical family tree, virginity is a theological goldmine. These writers conceive of virginity as an all-embracing invitation to participation,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Vigiliae Christianae
Main Author: Hughes, Amy Brown (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill 2016
In: Vigiliae Christianae
IxTheo Classification:KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity
NBE Anthropology
NBF Christology
NCF Sexual ethics
Further subjects:B Virginity Christology Origen Methodius Gregory of Nyssa
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Description
Summary:For Origen of Alexandria, Methodius of Olympus, and Gregory of Nyssa, who, through various networks of connections, fall into a kind of theological and philosophical family tree, virginity is a theological goldmine. These writers conceive of virginity as an all-embracing invitation to participation, a “performance” of Christology in which all Christians share. Origen’s notion of Scripture as the christological body that is literarily touchable introduces us to the encounter with Christ that is mediated through prayerful engagement with Scripture. Methodius of Olympus introduces us to the character Arete in his Symposium as an instantiation of the christological feminine. And, in Gregory of Nyssa’s handling of Macrina’s remains and her legacy, we find an avenue for participation in Christ alongside one who has already traveled a bit farther. These writers thought that renunciation was more than just a way of life open to all Christians; it was the way of life.
ISSN:1570-0720
Contains:In: Vigiliae Christianae
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15700720-12341237