Joy-bearing Grief : : Tears of Contrition in the Writings of the Early Syrian and Byzantine Fathers / / Hannah Hunt.

• Superior document: The Medieval Mediterranean ; 57
• VerfasserIn: Hunt, Hannah,
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden; , Boston : : BRILL,, 2004.
• Year of Publication: 2004
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: The Medieval Mediterranean ; 57.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (287 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

This volume is the first full-length study of penthos (tears of contrition) since Hausherr's in 1944. It traces its exposition in the early eastern Christian tradition, through detailed analysis of Greek and Syriac texts by Klimakos, Ephrem, Isaac and Symeon the New Theologian. It suggests why such weeping is, for these writers, a joyful as well as a sobering experience, and it places their writings in their historical and geographical context, giving some lexicographical background. Issues of religious anthropology, and the unusual choice of a female exegete in the person of the 'sinful woman' (Luke 7.36-50) are considered. The conclusion points the way to an appropriate theological interpretation of these teachings and highlights modern, non-monastic examples of joy-bearing, penitent grief.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations. ix -- Preface. xi -- Section I: Introduction -- Introduction What is Penthos and Where is It Found?. 3 -- The Lexicography of Penthos and Its Distinction from Other Types of Melancholy. 3 -- Patristic Distinctions Between Compunction, Mourning for Sin and Melancholy. 9 -- Expressions of Grief for Sin in the Medieval Mediterranean World. 17 -- The Semitic Provenance of Penthos. 20 -- Recent Studies of Penthos. 25 -- Section II: The Call To Repentance From The Desert -- Chapter One The Desert Tradition. 41 -- Chapter Two The Place of Klimakos Within the Desert Tradition. 51 -- Chapter Three Exegesis of Step 7 of The Ladder of Divine Ascent. 65 -- The Structure of The Ladder and the Context of Step 7. 66 -- Definitions of Penthos. 75 -- Purifying Tears and Baptism. 82 -- Fear and Love of God. 84 -- Spiritual Laughter. 86 -- Tears as an Indication of Spiritual Growth. 87 -- The Integration of the Whole Person in the Process of Mourning. 88 -- Human Endeavour and God's Grace. 90 -- Section III: 'She Bathed His Feet With Her Tears:' Ephremic Interpretations Of Luke 7.36-50 -- Chapter Four The Early Syrian Perspective. 97 -- Encratism and Anthropology. 101 -- Chapter Five The Context of Syrian Commentaries on the 'Sinful Woman'. 107 -- A Typology of Womanhood. 110 -- Syrian Commentaries on the 'Sinful Woman:' -- Inner Dialogue, Transformation and the Eye of Faith. 114 -- Section IV: 'That Sweet Life-Restoring Sorrow Of Which The Apostle Spoke:' Isaac Of Nineveh's Teachings On Tears Of Repentance -- Chapter Six The Sitz im Leben of Isaac. 129 -- Chapter Seven Encratism and Human Integrity. 135 -- Chapter Eight Hierarchies of the Spiritual State. 153 -- Chapter Nine Humanity's Filiation With God. 159 -- Section V: 'You Will See Him Whom No Man Has Seen:' Symeon The New Theologian's Reappropriation Of Desert Teaching -- Chapter Ten Context and Biography. 171 -- Chapter Eleven Symeon's Sources and Influences: Messalianism, Donatism and Macarius. 181 -- Chapter Twelve Eulabes as the New Theologian's Prime Source. 187 -- Chapter Thirteen Symeon the New Theologian and Penthos 201 -- Chapter Fourteen The Authority of Penthos and Its Sacramental Roots. 211 -- Conclusion. 225 -- The Tradition of the Eastern Christian Church. 228 -- Restoration to the Image of God: Penthos and God the Father. 230 -- Human Autonomy and Divine Incorporation: Penthos and God the Son. 235 -- Charismatic Authority: Penthos and the Holy Spirit. 238 -- Summary of the Patristic Teachings on Penthos. 241 -- Joy-Bearing Grief. 242 -- Bibliography. 247 -- Primary Sources. 247 -- Secondary Material. 253 -- Glossary of Technical Terms Used. 263 -- Index of Biblical References. 265 -- Index of Subjects. 266 -- Index of Ancient Authors. 270 -- Index of Modern Scholars. 271.