Scripture as Real Presence – Sacramental Exegesis in the Early Church

Hans Boersma (PhD, University of Utrecht), a highly regarded theologian and an experienced preacher, is St. Benedict Servants of Christ Chair in Ascetical Theology at Nashotah House in Wisconsin. He previously taught at Regent College, Vancouver. Boersma is the author of numerous books, including Sacramental Preaching; Violence, Hospitality, and the Cross; and Heavenly Participation.

• Contents1. Patristic ReadingThe Church Fathers on Sacramental Reading of ScriptureScripture as SacramentMetaphysics and Hermeneutics: Origen, Hobbes, and SpinozaSacramental Reading in Origen: Discerning Heavenly PatternsIrenaeus's Recapitulation as Sacramental ReadingRetrieving Sacramental Reading: Meaning, Virtue, Progress, and ProvidenceConclusion2. Literal ReadingGregory of Nyssa and Augustine on the Creation Accounts of GenesisPatristic Interest in Reading by the LetterGregory of Nyssa, On the Making of ManGregory's Literal Reading as TheologicalAugustine's Turn to Literal ExegesisTheological Literalism in Saint AugustineConclusion3. Hospitable ReadingOrigen and Chrysostom on the Theophany of Genesis 18Interpretation as HospitalityOrigen: The Son of God at MamreOrigen: Hospitality as AllegoryChrysostom: Divine Condescension at Mamre and in ScriptureChrysostom: Hospitality as Interpersonal Moral VirtueConclusion4. Other ReadingMelito of Sardis and Origen on the Passover of Exodus 12The Exodus: Allegory as Arbitrary Reading?Typology in ScriptureMelito of Sardis, On PaschaOrigen, Treatise on the PassoverConclusion5. Incarnational ReadingOrigen on the Historical Narrative of JoshuaAllegory and EventOrigen's Polemical ContextScripture as Incarnate LogosMysterii video sacramentumHistory's Rightful PlaceFrom History to Spirit: Biblical RationaleConclusion6. Harmonious ReadingClement of Alexandria, Athanasius, Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, and Augustine on the Music of the PsalmsTuning People with the PsalmsHarmony in the Platonic TraditionHarmony in the Early ChurchRestoring Harmony: Virtue and Emotions in the PsalmsHarmony with the Voice of ChristGregory of Nyssa on the Order of the PsalmsConclusion7. Doctrinal ReadingAthanasius and Gregory of Nyssa on the Wisdom of Proverbs 8Spiritual Interpretation and Christian DoctrineFrom Origen to EusebiusAthanasius: Interpretive StrategiesAthanasius: Exegesis 1 and 2Gregory of Nyssa: Turning the PeacockGregory of Nyssa: Christ Created, Established, and Born in UsReading Wisdom SacramentallyConclusion8. Nuptial ReadingHippolytus, Origen, and Ambrose on the Bridal Couple of the Song of SongsContemporary Readings of the Song of SongsHippolytus: Allegory and EconomyOrigen: Ecclesial and Personal ReadingsAmbrose: Ecclesial AsceticismConclusion9. Prophetic ReadingIrenaeus, Cyril of Alexandria, Origen, Eusebius, Gregory of Nyssa, Jerome, Ambrose, and Augustine on the Servant Songs of IsaiahProphecy and Fulfillment: A Sacramental BondEdward Pusey's Sacramental TypologyLooking for Christ in Isaiah's PropheciesChrist as the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53Christological Reading and the Wirkungsgeschichte of the TextChristological Mystery Hidden in the Servant SongsWounded by Love: Associations of the Chosen Arrow (Isa. 49:2)Conclusion10. Beatific ReadingGregory of Nyssa, Augustine, and Leo the Great on the Beatitudes of Matthew 5Spiritual Interpretation of the New TestamentInterpreting between Cave and MountainGregory of Nyssa and Multiplicity of MeaningVirtue and SalvationVirtue and InterpretationNumbering the Steps of VirtueConclusionConclusionIndexes