Lecture 3: Priesthood in Genesis Dr. Ann T. Orlando

Outline Biblical Background: Genesis Western Patristic Biblical Interpretation St. Ambrose of Milan On Cain and Abel Second Century Jewish-Christian Controversy over Melchizedek St. Augustine on Melchizedek, CoG XVI

Background on Genesis First book of Pentateuch (Torah) Traditionally written by Moses Tells story from creation to last of the Patriarchs, Joseph Outline Creation of Cosmos Creation of Man in paradise, and his Fall Cain and Abel, first two sons of Eve Noah and the flood Tower of Babel Abraham Call of Abram Melchizedek Ishmael Isaac, son of Abraham Jacob and Esau, sons of Isaac Joseph and his brothers in Egypt, sons of Jacob

General Patristic Understanding of Genesis As first book of Scripture was given special importance Both prefigures and summarizes all of Scripture For (almost) all Christians, Genesis prefigures in a special way the coming of Christ and the new creation in Christ Divergence on literal or allegorical interpretive meaning of creation story Genesis is the Old Testament book that receives the most attention from Patristic authors Psalms being a close second

St. Ambrose of Milan From an influential family, born 339, died (Easter Sunday) 397 Excellent education, especially in Greek Served as a judicial magistrate Baptized and ordained bishop in 370 As bishop of Milan, most important political ecclesial official in the West Introduced hymns into Western liturgical use The Te Deum and Easter Exultet is attributed to him (although probably erroneously)

Basil the Great and Ambrose Ambrose and Basil corresponded with each other over Roman political and ecclesial issues Ambrose had copies of some of Basil’s sermons and other works Hexaemeron Sermon on Naboth On the Holy Spirit Ambrose very influenced by Basil

Ambrose Exegetical Works Key Greek Influences Philo of Alexandria (Philo Christianus) Origen Basil the Great Most important exegetical work was on Genesis De paradiso De Cain et Abel De Noe De Abraham

Philo and Ambrose On Cain and Abel Philo begins with contrasting Cain and Abel as epistemological types Ambrose does the same, but associated Jews who do not believe with Cain and Christians who do with Abel Discussion of elder vs younger son Sin older than virtue Cain devoted to pleasure

Cain and Abel: The age old questions What was wrong with Cain’s sacrifice? What is significance of Cain as founder of cities (civilization) What is significance of Abel as younger son What is significance of Abel as shepherd How is Abel’s righteous sacrifice linked to his murder (self-sacrifice?) Abel as proto-priest and martyr Perhaps most importantly why was Abel’s offering accepted? Was he sinless?? NB in CoG, Augustine says that the Church begins with Abel Ambrose, On Cain and Abel, II.6-9

Melchizedek Mentioned in Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 (LXX 109) Key points about Melchizedek He is described as king and priest of God Most High He is not circumcised He brings bread and wine He blesses Abram Abram pays a tithe to him After the blessing, God reveals Himself to Abram In Psalm he is described as being of the eternal order of priests Notably absent is any discussion of his ancestors or heirs

Controversy Especially in early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism, a dispute over the superiority of Levitical priesthood or priesthood of Melchizedek Justin Marty in his Dialog with Trypho exemplifies this (from the Christian perspective) As in Letter to Hebrews, Justin Martyr argues that the priesthood of Melchizedek in universal and superior to the Levitical priesthood See Dialog with Trypho, xxxiii

John Chrysostom on Melchizedek Born in Antioch in 349 Studied in the literary school of Diodore Became Patriarch of Constantinople in 397 Died in exile from Constantinople as a result of court intrigues against him (407) Like the later Theodoret (whom he also influenced), John Chrysostom was influenced by Diodore and Theodore of Mopsuestia John wrote the most extensive commentaries on both Old and New Testament books that have survived from antiquity From his Homilies on Genesis 35.16-18 Emphasize Melchizedek as a type for Christ Referring to Hebrews, he is said to have no specific beginning or end

Augustine on the Sacrifice of Cain and Melchizedek in CoG In CoG XV and XVI, Augustine traces the history of the people Israel from Genesis to David. See end of X This history is framed as the story of the two cities: the City of God and the City of Man Cain as the founder of the city of Man Abel as a type of Christ, first member of the City of God CoG XV.1-7 Melchizedek is described in XVI.22 as the type of offering which Christians will offer

On Diverse Questions Based on various philosophical and theological questions discussed by Augustine and his community in Thegaste (388-395) After becoming bishop of Hippo, Augustine collected these various dialogs Often considered in 2 parts Q 1-50 discuss philosophical issues Q 51-83 focus on biblical exegisis

Assignments Re-read Genesis, 4 and 14 Ambrose, On Cain and Abel I.1-7 and Philo of Alexandria, The Sacrifices of Cain and Abel, I(i) – VII (38) Ambrose, On Cain and Abel, II. Justin Martyr, Dialog With Trypho, xxxiii John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis, 35.16-18 Augustine, CoG XV.1-7 and CoG XVI.22 Extra: Augustine, Response to 83 Miscellaneous Questions LXI.1-2 Prepare Paper #3