The Biblical Interpretation of William of Alton (Oxford Studies in Historical Theology)

Studies of medieval Biblical interpretation usually focus on the printed literature, neglecting the vast majority of relevant works. Timothy Bellamah offers a groundbreaking examination of the exegesis of William of Alton, a thirteenth-century Dominican regent master at Paris whose commentaries have never previously appeared in print. As a near contemporary of Hugh of St. Cher, Bonaventure, Albert the Great, and Thomas Aquinas, William was an important representative of university exegesis at a time of rapidly changing methods and remarkable intellectual development. His commentaries are valuable resources for understanding Biblical study of the thirteenth century, in the schoolroom and in the pulpit. Yet study of William's work has been impeded by the dubious authenticity of numerous commentaries questionably attributed to him over the centuries. Bellamah addresses these complex problems by unearthing evidence of authorship in each commentary's style and methodology. This inquiry employs the traits of William's commentaries as criteria for constituting a list of works that can be reliably attributed to him, which, in turn, provides a crucial basis for studying his exegesis. William was a man of his time, but even more than his contemporaries he was deeply interested in history and the literal sense, which he understood to be the intention of Scripture's authors, divine and human. He took a keen interest in Biblical history and put to use a wide array of procedures for textual, linguistic, and rhetorical analysis. At the same time, he remained aware of the spiritual senses and the diverse elements of the exegetical and theological tradition in which he stood. MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict Cover 1 Contents 6 Preface 8 Abbreviations 10 Notes on Style 14 Introduction 18 1. William of Alton: An Englishman in Paris 23 Life 23 Works 25 Problems of Attribution 26 Manuscript Evidence 27 Literary Evidence 28 2. Toward a Bibliography: A Few Key Features of William’s Methodology and Style 30 The Prologus 30 The Divisio Textus 31 The Expositio 35 The Questio 37 Conclusion 38 3. William as Exegete 41 Approaching the Text: The Prologue 41 The Literal Sense: Textual and Contextual Studies 55 Modes of Spiritual Interpretation 84 Conclusion 94 4. Sources 96 Procedures for Employing Authoritative Traditions 96 Profane Writers 98 Sancti 99 The Glossa ordinaria 103 Magistri 106 Moderni 107 Conclusion 120 5. Theological Considerations 122 Prophecy 122 Divine Condescension 129 The Works of Christ 134 Preaching 140 Contemplation 147 Spiritual Sensation 151 Evangelical Poverty 164 Conclusion 172 Epilogue 178 Appendix I. Consideration of Works Variously Attributed to William 182 A. The Postills of Group A 182 B. The Postills of Group B 190 C. Conclusion 220 Appendix II. Prologues 222 Principles of the Editions 222 1. Prologus Auctoris Super Ecclesiasten 224 2. Prologus Incerti Auctoris Super Sapientiam 229 3. Prologus Auctoris Super Ieremiam 231 4. Prologus Auctoris Super Threnos 233 5. Prologus Auctoris Super Ezechielem 235 6. Prologus Auctoris Super Iohannem 236 Notes 240 Bibliography 334 Index 362 A 362 B 363 C 364 D 364 E 365 F 365 G 365 H 365 I 366 J 366 L 366 M 366 N 366 O 366 P 367 Q 367 R 367 S 368 T 369 U 369 V 369 W 369 Timothy Bellamah Explores The Exegesis Of William Of Alton, A Dominican Regent Master At Paris During The Thirteenth-century. A Near Contemporary Of Bonaventure, Albert The Great, And Thomas Aquinas, William Was An Important Representative Of University Exegesis At A Time Of Changing Methods And Intellectual Development. Timothy Bellamah. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Timothy Bellamah explores the exegesis of William of Alton, a Dominican regent master at Paris during the thirteenth-century. A near contemporary of Bonaventure, Albert the Great, and Thomas Aquinas, William was an important representative of university exegesis at a time of rapidly changing methods and remarkable intellectual development.