The pastors of the 5th century : a comparative study of the pastoral works of St. Peter Chrysologus and Salvian of Marseilles

The work consists of two parts: a historical one and a theological one. In the first part I discuss the historical background of the Western Church of the 5th century as the environment Peter Chrysologus and Salvian of Marseilles lived in, no doubt influenced their work. I give an outline of the historical context of the Church in the 5th century in the Western Roman Empire in the first Chapter. To allow a better understanding of the theological thought in the writing of the two authors, I give an outline of their biography in Chapter Two. Chapters Two to Seven end in a summary of the topic. In the second part of the book I analyze and compare given pastoral issues concerning Peter Chrysologus and Salvian of Marseilles. Chapter Three gives an outline of the Roman society of the 5th century, examined from the point of view of given clergymen (social differences seen as evil, the outcome of the differences). Chapter Four concentrates on how the Church was perceived in the 5th century. In Chapter Five, I analyze and compare the two authors view on sin and virtues of Christians of the 5th century. Chapter Six discusses the attitude to material goods (the right to ownership, wealth, the topic of alms). Finally, in Chapter Seven I discuss and compare the attitude of both authors to conversion and asceticism in the life of a Christian (a conversion of the mind, penance, monasticism, religious practices). The pastoral solutions given by the two authors were yet another way of adjusting the Gospel to the Roman world and the Germanic Barbarians. The specific models suggested by Chrysologus and Salvian in the 5th century, the analysis of their way of thinking and fulfilling the evangelical mission can help the modern Christian to better fulfill his mission in the Church. Introduction PART I: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE CHURCH IN THE 5TH CENTURY 1. Historical context of the Church in the 5th century in the Western Roman Empire 1.1. Outline of the most important political events 1.2. Barbarians in the Western Roman Empire of the 5th century 1.3. The Socio‐economic Situation 1.4. The Situation of the Western Church in the 5th Century (Christianization, the Local Church in Southern Italy and Gaul, Heresy) 2. Selected Clergymen of the 5th Century. St. Peter Chrysologus and Salvian of Marseilles 2.1. The figure of a Bishop. St. Peter Chrysologus 2.1.1. The biography of St. Peter Chrysologus 2.1.2. Literary work – Sermones. The Pastors of the 5th Century. A Comparative Study... 2.2. The figure of a Clergyman. Salvian 2.2.1. The biography of Salvian 2.2.2. The literary works of Salvian PART II: A COMPARISON OF CHOSEN PASTORAL PROBLEMS ACCORDING TO ST. PETER CHRYSOLOGUS AND SALVIAN OF MARSEILLES 3. A description of Roman society in the 5th century in its pastoral aspect 3.1. Social differences perceived as evil 3.1.1. Peter Chrysologus’ view 3.1.2. Salvian’s perception 3.2. The consequences of social differences in the 5th century 3.2.1. Peter Chrysologus 3.2.2. Salvian of Marseilles 3.3. Summary 4. The perception of the Church in the 5th century 4.1. Admonishing the Church of the 5th century 4.1.1. A summoning to return to zealousness – description by St. Peter Chrysologus 4.1.2. 'Evil Should Be Discussed and Described and the Wrongdoings Should be Recognized and Atoned for' – Salvian’s Description 4.2. The Church – its own teaching 4.2.1. The ideal of the Primal Church – Chrysologus’ description 4.2.2. The ideal of the Primal Church – Salvian’s description 4.2.3. The ideal of the 5th century Church – complementary concept of Chrysologus and Salvian 4.3. Characteristic aspects of the Church’s teachings’ in the 5th c. 4.3.1. God 4.3.2. Eschatology 4.3.3. Woman 4.4. Summary 5. Sin and Christian virtue in the 5th century 5.1. Sin 5.1.1. Earthly weakness of the human 5.1.2. The science of sin 5.1.3. A detailed description of sins of both pastors 5.2. Virtues 5.2.1. Virtues in general – solely the teaching of Chrysologus 5.2.2. Specific sins – pastoral view 5.3. Summary 6. Attitude to material goods 6.1. The right to ownership 6.1.1. Peter Chrysologus 6.1.2. Salvian of Marseilles 6.2. Wealth 6.2.1. Wealth according to Saint Peter Chrysologus 6.2.2. Wealth according to Salvian of Marseilles 6.3. Almsgiving 6.3.1. Peter Chrysologus 6.3.2. Salvian of Marseilles 6.4. Summary 7. Conversion and asceticism 7.1. The conversion of the mind 7.1.1. The spirituality of repentance 7.1.2. The spirituality of fulfilment 7.1.3. The dignity of humanness 7.1.4. Salvian of Marseilles: The Pastors of the 5th Century. A Comparative Study... 7.1.5. The theory of religious cognition. Solely the description by Chrysologus 7.1.6. Sense of responsibility. A description of Salvian only 7.2. Penance 7.2.1. The concept of penance. Peter Chrysologus 7.2.2. The concept of penance. Salvian of Marseilles 7.3. Monasticism 7.3.1. Peter Chrysologus 7.3.2. Salvian of Marseilles 7.4. Devotional practices 7.4.1. Peter Chrysologus 7.4.2. Salvian of Marseilles. Plea to God – trust in God 7.4.3. The spirituality of entrusting God and deserving. Peter Chrysologus 7.4.4. Salvian of Marseilles. The spirituality of gaining heaven through holiness 7.5. Fasting 7.5.1. Sermons encouraging fasting 7.5.2. Spiritual fasting 7.5.3. Fasting Combined with Mercy 7.5.4. The complementary character of religious practices 7.5.5. Lent 7.5.6. Fasting as a way of life – John the Baptist 7.5.7. The meaning of fasting 7.5.8. The benefits of fasting 7.5.9. Threats for those who fast 7.6. Summary CONCLUSION A comparison of the writings of the two authors The similarities in their thoughts The difference in the writings of St. Peter Chrysologus and Salvian of Marseilles Other writings The value of these teachings today Abbreviations Bibliography