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Thesis advisor: Stephen F. Brown / Pierre d'Ailly and the Development of Late Medieval Trinitarian Theology: (with an edition of <italic>Quaestiones super primum Sententiarum</italic>, qq. 4-8, 10) By: John T. Slotemaker Advisor: Stephen F. Brown The present dissertation analyzes several periods in the development of late medieval trinitarian theology. The work is divided into two volumes. Volume I contains three parts of two chapters each: (1) the first part treats the trinitarian theology of Thomas Aquinas (ch. 1) and John Duns Scotus (ch. 2); (2) the second part treats the trinitarian theology of William of Ockham (ch. 3) and Walter Chatton, Adam Wodeham and Robert Holcot (ch. 4); (3) the third part treats the trinitarian theology of Gregory of Rimini (ch. 5) and Pierre d'Ailly (ch. 6). Volume II contains five appendices, including: a transcription of the tabula quaestionum for Peter d'Ailly's, Peter Gracilis's and James of Eltville's (i.e., the `<italic>Lectura Eberbacensis</italic>') respective commentaries on the Sentences; and an edition of Pierre d'Ailly's <italic>Quaestiones super libros Sententiarum</italic>I, qq. 4-8 and 10. Part I of the dissertation considers Thomas Aquinas and John Duns Scotus, arguing that this period of Parisian trinitarian theology is characterized by the heated debates concerning opposed and disparate relations. Thus, the role and primacy of the divine processions and/or the divine relations in articulating the distinction of persons is considered. As such, the argument developed throughout part I is consistent with the broader treatments of Michael Schmaus and Russell L. Friedman. Part II of the dissertation considers the trinitarian theology of four Oxford theologians: William of Ockham, Walter Chatton, Adam Wodeham and Robert Holcot. The first chapter analyzes the methodological approach of William of Ockham, considering in detail the influence of his analytic and linguistic method of theological analysis on the development of trinitarian theology. It is argued that Ockham is not primarily concerned with the previous debate over opposed or disparate relations, and that a shift in trinitarian theology is introduced with Ockham. Again, following Friedman, it is argued that because of Ockham's epistemological and linguistic approach to theological questions, he inaugurates a "search for simplicity"--to use Friedman's language--that characterizes the Oxford theologians. The second chapter of Part II examines the influence of Ockham on the subsequent developments in Oxford trinitarian theology. It is argued that in thinkers as diverse as Walter Chatton and Adam Wodeham, the influence of Ockham's theological method and approach to trinitarian questions is evident. The Venerable Inceptor, it is argued, shaped the discourse of subsequent Oxford theology. Part III of the dissertation returns to Paris, examining the theology of Gregory of Rimini and Pierre d'Ailly. In the first chapter, it is argued that Rimini follows closely the theological method of Ockham, with a renewed interest in articulating his theological positions in dialogue with Augustine of Hippo. This historical approach, it is argued, is grounded in Rimini's deductive theological method and its reliance on Scripture and the Fathers of the Church. Further, it is argued that Rimini clearly follows the previous Oxford theologians "search for simplicity", in particular the developments found in Walter Chatton and Robert Holcot. Finally, the second chapter of Part III considers the trinitarian thought of Pierre d'Ailly. It is argued that d'Ailly follows closely the theology of Ockham, but with a renewed interest (post Gregory) in articulating Ockham's positions in dialogue with Augustine. D'Ailly borrows methodologically from both Ockham (emphasis on language, etc.) and Rimini (emphasis on a deductive method and Scripture), although he will also return the basic theological arguments of Thomas Aquinas at points. Pierre d'Ailly is a harsh critic of Gregory and any trinitarian minimalism; in that regard he follows more closely the moderate path set by Ockham and Wodeham. Volume II of the dissertation includes an introduction to the manuscripts, incunabula and early printed editions of Pierre d'Ailly's <italic>Quaestiones super libros Sententiarum</italic> (Appendix A). Here the relevant manuscripts are discussed, and the reasons for basing the edition on Paris, Bibl. Mazarine, ms. 934, ff. 1-152 and Paris, Bibl. Mazarine, ms. 935, ff. 1-196 are defended. This is followed by Appendices B-D, treating the <italic>tabula quaestionum </italic>of book I of the commentaries on the <italic>Sentences </italic>by Pierre d'Ailly, Peter Gracilis (Royal, ms. 10A1) and James of Eltville (Clm, ms. 11591; i.e., the `<italic>Lectura Eberbacensis</italic>'). Finally, Appendix E contains a transcription and collation of Pierre d'Ailly's <italic>Quaestiones super libros Sententiarum </italic>I, qq. 4-8 and 10. The edition is based on Mazarine 934 and 935. The tables of questions are presented to allow some comparison of the structure of d'Ailly's commentary with those of his contemporaries. The edition of d'Ailly's texts is the first complete (i.e., presenting an entire <italic>quaestio </italic>or more) transcription of any of the questions in consideration, and is based on the two best manuscripts. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2012. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Theology.

This thesis seeks an orderly set of theological reflections on the declaration that “God is light” (1 Jn. 1:5). Such talk of divine light, this study argues, must begin with the doctrine of God, namely, with God's light in se and his “shining forth” ad extra towards creatures in the darkness of sin and death. This work therefore follows a precise pathway in expounding this theme. Chapter 1 offers a brief survey of the historical and scriptural uses of the concept of light in order to fix its linguistic and conceptual boundaries. Chapter 2 seeks to reflect upon God's light as the light of his own radiant triune identity, as well as offering a preliminary examination of God's economic, covenantal shining forth to creatures. Chapter 3 gives a much more detailed rehearsal of this act of shining forth by an account of God's light as manifest in the economy of his works with which he lovingly elects, reconciles, and illuminates creatures. Chapter 4 proposes that with the treatment of God's shining forth there belongs a treatment of the light of the church called out of darkness, gathered into the “marvelous light” of God, and set to proclaiming the “excellencies” of God. Chapter 5 concludes this study by examining what bearing the reality of God's shining forth as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit might have on the work and call of theology as an activity of the 'illumined mind'.

This research explores the method and theological content in Stephen Charnock's discourses on the attributes and the existence of God with the intention to determine whether this material is structured upon the influence of the scholastic method. This is accomplished (1) by locating Charnock within his own academic and historical context and by interpreting his works according to the theological genre to which they belong, (2) by identifying the conceptual and methodological presuppositions that framed the discourses, (3) by examining and accounting for the order of exposition found in the discourses, and (4) by performing a descriptive analysis of the material seeking to identify traces of the scholastic method and style of argumentation. The findings of this investigation indicate that Charnock's discourses are theological sermons primarily intended for homiletical purposes and yet organised and reasoned per the scholastic method.

In light of women’s marginal status in church governance and ministry through most of recorded history, feminist trinitarian ecclesiology is needed to transform the church’s institutional and spiritual life. While Vatican II provided the paradigm shift and promising anthropology essential for an egalitarian church, feminist ecclesiology prompts a radical transformation of its hierarchical and patriarchal structures and practices so that it may truly embody the Trinity. Trinitarian life provides practical and radical consequences for Christian life, and provides a model of church marked by relationships of equality, mutuality, unity and reciprocity. It also provides a strong ecclesiological argument for reform of the juridical Catholic nullity of marriage process, which may pave a pathway for the civilly remarried to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.

Bibliography: leaves 118-124 / Did Christ, in the incarnation, take a fallen or unfallen human nature? This question, in its various forms, has occupied the Christian Church for as long as it has existed. For the Seventh-day Adventist church, to which tradition I belong, the question centres on whether Christ as a human being had sinful tendencies or not. This question has divided the church into two main camps, with one camp saying he did, and the other saying he did not. And the debate goes on. It is from the Seventh-day Adventist church tradition that I picked up on this debate, following it up to mainstream Christianity and motivating this research. My research seeks to identify the causes of the debate. Its premise is that unless the specific causes of the debate are clearly identified and appropriately addressed, it is difficult, if not impossible, to conclude it. For a close analysis, two scholars, each representing one side, are picked and examined: Pannenberg, representing the fallen nature position, and Hatzidakis, representing the unfallen nature position. Their respective arguments are gleaned, compared and analysed; and their differences, causes and possible solutions are pointed out. The findings are then applied to the Seventh-day Adventist church debate and to Christianity at large. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

This thesis offers a constructive account of the doctrine of divine simplicity in Christian theology. In its methodology, the thesis aims to present this divine perfection as an implicate of the scriptural portrayal of God, to draw upon the insights and conceptual resources of Thomas Aquinas and various Reformed orthodox theologians, and to respond to some objections to divine simplicity. The focus on exegetical elaboration of biblical teaching and the use of Thomas and the Reformed orthodox distinguish this work from a number of recent accounts of God in both systematic theology and analytic philosophy. The case for God's simplicity is made by examining God's singularity, aseity, immutability, infinity, and act of creation in Holy Scripture and then tracing the ways in which these descriptions of God imply that he is (negatively) not composed of parts. Rather, he is (positively) actus purus and really identical with his own essence, existence, and attributes, each of which is identical with the whole being of the triune God considered under some aspect. In light of the constructive work, this study then addresses the three most pressing objections to divine simplicity: (1) that it denigrates God's revelation of his many attributes in the economy; (2) that it eliminates God's freedom in creating the world and acting in history; and (3) that it does not cohere with the doctrine of the Trinity.