Master of the Sacred Page : A Study of the Theology of Robert Grosseteste, Ca. 1229/30 – 1235

Modern scholarship has examined the life and works of Robert Grosseteste (ca. 1170-1253) mainly in a philosophical or episcopal context, yet Grosseteste wrote many treatises on pastoral theology, spent some years as a regent master in theology at the University of Oxford, and maintained interest in theological discourse throughout his time as Bishop of Lincoln. This book offers the first scholarly study of Grosseteste as theologian, taking account of the whole range of his theological writing both in published and unedited sources. Ginther reveals the central focus of Grosseteste's theology as the person and work of Christ, with the person of Christ as the interpretive key by which humanity comes to see the Trinity in the created world and the means by which humanity may participate in the divine. Surveying some of the major doctrinal issues of the thirteenth century, this book offers a thorough introduction to the theology of the period. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Dedication 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 Preface 8 Acknowledgments 12 Abbreviations 14 Introduction 18 Part I A Theologian’s Task 28 1 Grosseteste’s Theological Writings 30 2 Grosseteste and the Theology of the Schools 42 3 The Subject Matter of Theology 50 4 Tools and Resources 70 Part II A Theologian’s Vision 104 5 A Triune and Infinite God 106 6 The Necessity of the Incarnation 138 7 The Church, Pastoral Care and the Deification of Humanity 168 Conclusion 206 Appendix: Transcription of Super Psalterium 100 210 Bibliography 230 Index 246 A Study of the Theology of Robert Grosseteste, ca. 1229/30 – 1235 A Theologian's Task. Grosseteste's Theological Writings ; Grosseteste And The Theology Of The Schools ; The Subject Matter Of Theology ; Tools And Resources -- A Theologian's Vision. A Triune And Infinite God ; The Necessity Of The Incarnation ; The Church, Pastoral Care And The Deification Of Humanity. James R. Ginther. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 213-227) And Index. Sometime in the year 1229/30, Robert Grosseteste, a man now in his late fifties, stood before an Oxford audience composed of all regent masters and their students and began his inaugural sermon as a new master of theology. James Ginther here examines Grosseteste's scholastic theology, focusing on his years spent lecturing at Oxford.