Description
Enchantment and Creed in the Hymns of Ambrose of Milan offers the first critical overview of the hymns of Ambrose of Milan in the context of fourth-century doctrinal song and Ambrose's own catechetical preaching. Brian P. Dunkle, SJ, argues that these settings inform the interpretation of Ambrose's hymnodic project. The hymns employ sophisticated poetic techniques to foster a pro-Nicene sensitivity in the bishop's embattled congregation. After a summary presentation of early Christian hymnody, with special attention to Ambrose's Latin predecessors, Dunkle describes the mystagogical function of fourth-century songs. He examines Ambrose's sermons, especially his catechetical and mystagogical works, for preached parallels to this hymnodic effort. Close reading of Ambrose's hymnodic corpus constitutes the bulk of the study. Dunkle corroborates his findings through a treatment of early Ambrosian imitations, especially the poetry of Prudentius. These early readers amplify the hymnodic features that Dunkle identifies as "enchanting," that is, enlightening the "eyes of faith."
About the Author
Brian P. Dunkle, SJ, is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.
Reviews
This monograph - and its unexpected angle on the Christianization of the Roman Empire - should be of interest to a wide readership * Paul R. Kolbet, Yale Divinity School, The Journal of Religion *
Enchantment and Creed is a closely argued and richly documented study. ... a study that offers a comprehensive view of a corpus that has most often been approached piecemeal or through smaller groupings. Coincidentally, Dunkle raises the stakes for assessing the influence of Ambrose on Prudentius and later poets (e.g., 210). Most significantly, he adds fundamental new textures to Ambrose's reputation as the father of Christian Latin hymnody. If we ask how that literary and liturgical form grew out of the context of Milanese ecclesial rivalries and was shaped by the pastoral and theological concerns of Ambrose himself, Enchantment and Creed supplies a range of persuasive answers. * Dennis E. Trout, Bryn Mawr Classical Review *
Dunkle's book is lucid and well researched, and his claims consistently argued. Moreover, he has interrelated the complex fields of classical hymnody, 4th-century Nicene-"Arian" debates, and Ambrose's mystagogical theology. One of the most important contributions this book makes is its close attention to the kind of theological work that hymnody did in the 4th century, and not to disregard these as mere political tools in the hands of a deceptive propagandist. Dunkle shows that not only do these overly politicized reading miss the unique way in which Ambrose performed his clerical duties, it more importantly overlooks the way in which the cultivation of a pro-Nicene theology was instantiated in actual congregations and communities. * Alex Fogelman, Reading Religion *
Awards
Winner of Winner of the North American Patristics Society's Best First Book Prize 2018.
Book Information
ISBN 9780198788225
Author Brian P. Dunkle, SJ
Format Hardback
Page Count 278
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 164mm * 21mm
About the Author
Brian P. Dunkle, SJ, is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.
Reviews
This monograph - and its unexpected angle on the Christianization of the Roman Empire - should be of interest to a wide readership * Paul R. Kolbet, Yale Divinity School, The Journal of Religion *
Enchantment and Creed is a closely argued and richly documented study. ... a study that offers a comprehensive view of a corpus that has most often been approached piecemeal or through smaller groupings. Coincidentally, Dunkle raises the stakes for assessing the influence of Ambrose on Prudentius and later poets (e.g., 210). Most significantly, he adds fundamental new textures to Ambrose's reputation as the father of Christian Latin hymnody. If we ask how that literary and liturgical form grew out of the context of Milanese ecclesial rivalries and was shaped by the pastoral and theological concerns of Ambrose himself, Enchantment and Creed supplies a range of persuasive answers. * Dennis E. Trout, Bryn Mawr Classical Review *
Dunkle's book is lucid and well researched, and his claims consistently argued. Moreover, he has interrelated the complex fields of classical hymnody, 4th-century Nicene-"Arian" debates, and Ambrose's mystagogical theology. One of the most important contributions this book makes is its close attention to the kind of theological work that hymnody did in the 4th century, and not to disregard these as mere political tools in the hands of a deceptive propagandist. Dunkle shows that not only do these overly politicized reading miss the unique way in which Ambrose performed his clerical duties, it more importantly overlooks the way in which the cultivation of a pro-Nicene theology was instantiated in actual congregations and communities. * Alex Fogelman, Reading Religion *
Awards
Winner of Winner of the North American Patristics Society's Best First Book Prize 2018.
Book Information
ISBN 9780198788225
Author Brian P. Dunkle, SJ
Format Hardback
Page Count 278
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 164mm * 21mm
