The controversy over the relative merits of marriage and virginity heats up again with the rise of Jovinian and his “new heresy”.
Links:
Image of Projecta Casket from the British Museum
Ambrose and Siricius on Jovinian – pages 280, 282
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#397 – A History of the Catholic Church – The Problem of Jovinian
While adult baptism was the norm at the end of the 4th century, sometimes there were exceptions. Moreover, as the Church increasingly encouraged earlier baptisms, so did the number of those needing to avail themselves of the possibility of reconciliation increase.
Links:
Painting of Saint Fabiola by Jean-Jacques Henner
Basil of Caesarea’s recommended penances for serious sins
Letter of Saint Jerome on Saint Fabiola
Ambrose’s Eulogy of Valentinian II – important in development of theology of Baptism of Desire
Ambrose on Penance – Book I and Book II
Apostolic Constitutions – Book VIII, Chapter 9 concerns penance
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#390 – A History of the Catholic Church – Penance
Priscillian’s triumphant return to Hispania does not last long. He faces renewed charges of heresy and sorcery and his fate is placed in the hands of the new emperor Magnus Maximus.
Links:
Photo of gem engraved with image of the Crucifixion courtesy of the British Museum.
Pope Leo I’s letter on the errors of the Priscillians
Augustine on Priscillians
Acts of the Council of Toledo [in Spanish]
Virginia Burrus, The Making of a Heretic: Gender, Authority, and the Priscillianist Controversy
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#383 – A History of the Catholic Church – The Problem of Priscillian – Part II
The debates over the comparative worth of marriage and virginity in Rome, not suprisingly, also lead to debates over the Christian understanding of Mary as a model of the faith and the early steps toward the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity.
Links:
Gold-glass image of Mary with Saints Peter and Paul by Rama
Jerome’s The Perpetual Virginity of Mary Against Helvidius
Hunter, David G. (Spring 1993). “Helvidius, Jovinian, and the Virginity of Mary in Late Fourth-Century Rome”. Journal of Early Christian Studies. Johns Hopkins University Press. Vol. 1 (number 1): pp. 47–71
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#380 – A History of the Catholic Church – Virgin and Mother
Having revised the Latin Gospels, Jerome undertakes the much heavier task of translating the Hebrew Old Testament. However, Jerome’s decision to reject the Septuagint is met with significant opposition. Moreover, Jerome’s work contributes to a changing understanding of what it means to be a monk.
Links:
Painting of Saint Jerome in his study by Antonello da Messina
Writings of Jerome, including commentaries
Jerome’s prefaces to his scriptural translations
Correspondence between Jerome and Augustine about his translations and the Septuagint
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#375 – A History of the Catholic Church – The Hebrew Verity
After a brief examination of the 382 Synod of Rome and Damasus’ views on the primacy of the bishop of Rome, we look at the first part of Jerome’s work on the Vulgate – his revision of the Gospels. Today Jerome is praised for his work on what will become the official Latin version of the New Testament. However, that was not so much the case at the beginning.
Links:
Painting of Saint Jerome by José de Ribera
The Damasine List of Canonical Scriptures reputedly accepted at the 382 Synod of Rome
Resources on the Vetus Latina or Old Latin Scriptures
Peter Lorenz’ blog posts on Jerome, Ambrosiaster and their conflict over the validity of the Vetus Latina
Check out the other great Catholic podcasts at the Starquest Production Network
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#374 – A History of the Catholic Church – Jerome Versus Ambrosiaster
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