The Rule of Faith: Trinity, Incarnation and Patristic Cultural Hermeneutics: A Reading of Irenaeus, Tertullian and Origen

Author

Martin Cain, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Graduate Paper

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Systematic Theology

Department

School of Theology and Seminary

First Advisor

Charles Bobertz

Subject Categories

Christianity | History of Christianity | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

This paper provides a theoretical survey of the genre of the pre-Nicene rule of faith, as exemplified especially in the works of lrenaeus, Tertullian and Origen. After a brief excursus into a common contemporary understanding of rules in general and a survey of how rules and similar categories function in society, this paper argues that in fact the Patristic Rule of Faith allowed for and even fostered a diversity of possible 'takes' on the particulars of nascent Christian belief Moreover, it actually helped to foster a vigorous atmosphere of debate while preventing diverse viewpoints that might have seen themselves as exclusive of one another from coming apart. In light of this assertion, the paper concludes with a brief consideration of how such mediatory sensibilities inherent in the Rule of Faith might serve as a model for moderating the current theological climate, experienced by many as acrimonious.

Comments

Access restricted to College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University on-campus users.

Recommended Citation

Cain, Martin, "The Rule of Faith: Trinity, Incarnation and Patristic Cultural Hermeneutics: A Reading of Irenaeus, Tertullian and Origen" (2004). School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses. 856.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/sot_papers/856