Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (Fathers of the Church Medieval Continuations)

Peter Abelard wrote his Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans in the mid-1130s, toward the end of his life, while teaching in Paris. Filled with questions on topics such as redemption, grace, and original sin, the commentary demonstrates the growing interest of urban scholars in applying dialectic to the study of Sacred Scripture. Abelard's analysis of some of these topics contributed to his second condemnation at the Council of Sens in 1140. The commentary is in many respects quite orthodox; Abelard presents himself as a devout Christian seeking to refine Christian teaching and strip away centuries of accretions that had obscured the deeper, original truths. This is particularly the case in the famous question on redemption, in which Abelard demonstrates critical flaws in traditional theories of redemption while affirming the salvific effect of Christ's death. Other passages deal with subjects such as the Trinity and intention―also matters of controversy―and the ethics of love for God and neighbor. Abelard discusses love of neighbor at length no less than three times. Despite its importance and the frequent references made to it by modern scholars, this commentary has never before been translated into English in its entirety. This volume, which includes an extensive introduction, fills this gap, thus providing a needed contribution to medieval scholarship. Introduction -- Significance -- Authorship -- Date And Place Of Composition -- Audience And Purpose Of Writing -- Manuscripts And Printed Editions -- Structure And Organization -- Exegetical Methods -- Theology -- Translator's Notes -- Commentary On The Epistle To The Romans -- Prologue -- Book One -- Book Two -- Book Three -- Book Four. Peter Abelard ; Translated By Steven R. Cartwright. Series Numbering From Cataloging-in-publication Data. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. Contents Acknowledgments Abbreviations Select Bibliography Introduction Significance Authorship Date and Place of Composition Audience and Purpose of Writing Manuscripts and Printed Editions Structure and Organization Exegetical Methods Theology Translator’s Notes Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans Prologue Book One Book Two Book Three Book Four Indices General Index Index of Holy Scripture Index of Classical and Patristic Citations