The focus of this study is to discover the identity of the emphatic “I” of Rom 7 with the added purpose of attempting to “draw” a spiritual portrait of a mature Christian believer. To accomplish this purpose, the process is as follows: An examination of Rom 7, within its context, is conducted. This examination is followed by an attempt at determining the experience of the emphatic “I” found within Rom 7. The next step in the process is to compare the experience of the emphatic “I” of Rom 7, as found within its context of Rom 1-8 with what Paul wrote elsewhere on the experience of new life in Christ for Christian believers. The purpose of this comparison is to discover if Paul had a “consistent” portrait of spirituality and Christian maturity. The final step is to compare the experience described by Paul, both in Rom 7 and in the wider Pauline Corpus, with the experience which John Wesley called “perfection”, and with the Mystical experience called the “spiritual marriage”. The study of Romans, Wesley, and the Mystics, coupled with the wider study of the secondary literature showed that there is a remarkable consistency in the teaching and understanding that the closer a Christian believer gets to God, the more this Christian believer is aware of his or her own sinfulness. Paul, in describing the experience of the emphatic “I”, is describing a person who is becoming more and more aware of his or her own sinfulness. The conclusion to be drawn from this study is that the identity of the empathic “I” is of a regenerate Christian believer, one who is growing ever closer and closer to God and at the same time is in “pain” over the remaining effects of sin. / Thesis (PhD (New Testament Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / New Testament Studies / PhD / unrestricted

Ce travail est présenté en trois parties : une édition critique du « Traité des quatre mariages » de Jeanne Chézard de Matel (Roanne 1596-Paris 1670), une analyse historico-Théologique du traité et une exploration des questions théologiques sur l’Incarnation soulevées dans ce traité qui donnent naissance à une spiritualité de l’Incarnation. Dans l’édition du texte sont présentés des recherches sur la vie de l’auteur (mystique lyonnaise, fondatrice de l’Ordre du Verbe Incarné et du Saint Sacrement), son milieu, ses sources, ses écrits et sa théologie, ainsi que des recherches sur l’histoire du traité (le manuscrit, la date de composition, le copiste, sa relation avec le « Traité des trois mariages » et les sources éventuelles de son contenu). La deuxième partie analyse le traité selon les deux thèmes de lecture biblique et de mariage spirituel. L’analyse se fait avec attention au contexte historique et aux sources, avec le but d’ouvrir une réflexion théologique sur les questions soulevées dans le traité. La troisième partie met en regard la pensée de Jeanne Chézard de Matel et la théologie contemporaine en prenant comme point commun l’expérience du lecteur actuel. L’étude explore les relations entre le temps et l’éternité et entre la Création, l’Incarnation et le Salut. Le travail aboutit à la présentation d’une spiritualité de l’Incarnation qui la comprend comme éternelle et salvatrice, une union d’amour qui lie les humains, l’un avec l’autre, et tous avec Dieu. / This work is presented in three parts: a critical edition of the “Treatise on the Four Marriages” of Jeanne Chézard de Matel (Roanne 1596 – Paris 1670), a historical-Theological analysis of the treatise, and an exploration of the theological questions on the Incarnation raised in this treatise, giving rise to an incarnational spirituality. The edition of the text presents research on the life of the author (a mystic from the region of Lyon, foundress of the Order of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament), her milieu, her sources, her writings, and her theology, as well as research on the history of the treatise (the manuscript, date of composition, copyist, relationship with the “Treatise on the Three Marriages”, and the sources of its content). The second part analyzes the treatise according to two themes: the reading of Scripture and spiritual marriage. The analysis, keeping in mind the treatise’s historical context and sources, seeks to open a theological reflection on the issues raised in the treatise. The third part puts Jeanne Chézard de Matel in dialogue with contemporary theologians, taking as a common point the current reader’s experience. The study explores the relationship between time and eternity and between Creation, Incarnation and Salvation. The work culminates with the presentation of a spirituality of the Incarnation, understood as an eternal and salvific union of love which binds all humans together with each other and with God.

[pt] A pesquisa que realizamos fundamenta-se na herança espiritual-carismática de santo Aníbal Maria Di Francia e na doutrina espiritual de santa Teresa de Jesus. Aníbal Maria, através do carisma do Rogate, consagrou sua vida a Deus por meio de uma intensa vida de oração e união a Cristo expressa na caridade em prol dos mais necessitados. Fundou o Instituto das Filhas do Divino Zelo e deu o Rogate como caminho de salvação às suas religiosas e à messe que lhes é confiada. O fundador buscou iluminação para sua vida e para a vida de seu Instituto na espiritualidade carmelita. Em muitos de seus escritos aponta para os santos carmelitas como modelo de vida espiritual e apostólica. Dentre estes, damos destaque à proximidade com santa Teresa de Jesus, doutora da Igreja. Nos escritos da santa de Ávila, Aníbal encontra aspectos que impulsionam a espiritualidade e missão do Rogate. No percurso deste trabalho evidenciamos alguns destes aspectos que incidiram na vida do fundador e que hoje incidem diretamente na vida espiritual-carismática da Filha do Divino Zelo, ressignificando e iluminando o processo de conformação a Cristo dessas religiosas. Destacamos: a oração em santa Teresa, sua profunda contemplação sobre a Sagrada Humanidade de Cristo, o Matrimônio Espiritual, a caridade como reflexo do profundo trato de Amizade com o Divino Esposo, o amor à eucaristia e a Maria. Elementos que colaboram para que a Filha do Divino Zelo esteja sempre mais unida ao Divino Esposo e com Ele possa entregar a própria vida pela salvação das almas e para que a Ele se juntem sempre mais fortes amigos. / [en] The study we carry out is based on the spiritual-charismatic heritage of Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia and on the spiritual doctrine of Saint Teresa of Jesus. Hannibal, through the charism of Rogate, consecrated his life to God through an intense life of prayer and union with Christ expressed in charity for the most needy. He founded the Institute of the Daughters of Divine Zeal and offered the Rogate as a way of salvation to his sisters and to the duty that is entrusted to them. The founder sought enlightenment for his life and for the life of his Institute in Carmelite spirituality. In many of his writings, he demonstrates the Carmelite saints as a model of spiritual and apostolic life. Among these, we highlight the proximity to St. Teresa of Jesus, Doctor of the Church. In the writings of the Saint of Avila, Hannibal finds aspects that boost Rogate s spirituality and mission. In the course of this study, we highlight some of these aspects that influenced the life of the founder and which today directly affect the spiritual-charismatic life of the Daughter of Divine Zeal, redefining and illuminating the process of conformation to Christ of these nuns. We highlight: prayer aspects in Saint Teresa, her profound contemplation of the Sacred Humanity of Christ, the Spiritual Marriage, charity as a reflection of the profound treatment of Friendship with the Divine Spouse, the love for the Eucharist and Mary. All these listed elements have collaborated so that the Daughter of the Divine Zeal is always more united to the Divine Spouse and with Him can surrender his own life for the salvation of souls in order to allow potential friends to seek God.