Enchantment and Creed in the Hymns of Ambrose of MilanEnchantment 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." |
Contents
| 1 | |
1 Hymnody Heresy and Doctrinal Identity | 13 |
2 Ambroses Preaching Enchantment and Nature and Grace | 52 |
3 Ambroses Daytime Hymns andthe Mystagogy of Nature | 85 |
4 Christ in Scripture and the Hymns for Dominical Feasts | 117 |
5 Ecclesial Identity in the Hymns for Martyrs | 143 |
6 The Features of Ambrosian Reception | 174 |
7 Ambrosian Imitation in Sedulius and Prudentius | 186 |
Conclusion | 214 |
The Hymns | 221 |
| 255 | |
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Aeterne Ambrogio Ambrose Ambrose’s Ambrose’s hymns Ambrosian Ambrosius appears argue audience Augustine authenticity authors baptism biblical bishop celebration century Chapter Christ Christian church classical composed concerns congregation context contrast corpus CSEL death discussion distinctive divine doctrinal early elements emphasizes employs encourages especially evidence faith Father feast fides final Fontaine fourth Franz Holy hymnody hymns identified imitations indicate initiation instance Intende interpretation John language later Latin Lawrence light Likewise literary liturgical martyrs meaning Milan Milanese Moreover mystagogical natural Nicene notes offers original parallels particular Peter poem poetic Poetry preaching present Prudentius Prudentius’s Psalms reading recent reference reflection repetition Rerum Roman Rome saints scholars Scripture seems senses sermons similar singing song sources speaks spiritual stanza suggests themes theological throughout tradition treat true University verse vision writings Zerfass