Gregory of Nazianzus's Use of Creation in the Trinitarian Controversy: Theological Hermeneutics as Polemic

In this dissertation I argue that Gregory of Nazianzus implements an allegorical interpretation of biblical creation texts in order to uphold the divinity of the persons of the Trinity against his later fourth-century Trinitarian opponents. Gregory’s polemic is motivated by his own theology and is anchored both in Scripture and in the Alexandrian tradition which he received. My approach of discussing Gregory’s thoughts on creation and the Trinity within his own context is new to the field of patristic studies. Many have studied the theme of creation in early Christian studies, but none of those studies are specific to Gregory as he employs them in his own polemical fashion. Others have aimed to connect Gregory’s thoughts on creation with ecology and liberation theology, but none pay careful attention to Gregory’s own historical situation and theological context. To accomplish this goal I survey Gregory’s works as they relate to the dual themes of creation and the Trinity. I consider Origen and Athanasius of Alexandria and their works on creation as gateways of influence upon Gregory. I study several of Basil of Caesarea’s and Gregory of Nyssa’s works as they discuss the theme of creation and I compare their approach to Gregory’s. Since Gregory’s opponents deny the doctrine of the Trinity as it was handed down to Gregory, his interpretation is situational in that Gregory’s historical context determines his scriptural exegesis. My study examines Gregory’s motives and methods which are determined by his historical context for the purpose of combating doctrine contrary to his and promoting accepted Trinitarian belief.

Grantor dc:publisher

Temple University. Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Bryant, Jared R.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Limberis, Vasiliki, 1954-

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Blankinship, Khalid Yahya
• Schipper, Jeremy
• Soufas, Teresa Scott

• Religion
• Theology

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT- This Rights Statement can be used for an Item that is in copyright. Using this statement implies that the organization making this Item available has determined that the Item is in copyright and either is the rights-holder, has obtained permission from the rights-holder(s) to make their Work(s) available, or makes the Item available under an exception or limitation to copyright (including Fair Use) that entitles it to make the Item available.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Dc Identifier Other

958157254

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarshare.temple.edu:20.500.12613/873