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The Threatened Series - 13 THE ANIOCHENE TRADITION. It will be helpful at this point to mention the succession of teachers in the Antiochene tradition, and some of the characteristics of their teaching. DIODORE OF TARSUS (d. 390) was a native of Antioch. He studied in Athens and then ruled a monastery near Antioch until the strength of Arianism drew him into the city to combat it. He became Bishop of Tarsus in 378 and was considered a model of orthodoxy; in fact in 381 the Emperor Theodosius named him as a bishop being in communion with whom was a test of orthodoxy. He upheld the Antiochene tradtion in theology, insisting on the literal and historical exegesis of scripture (as opposed to the Alexandrian school, who following Origen were rather fond of the allegorical exegesis). He insisted, against Apollinarius, on the full humanity of Christ. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA (350-428), Antiochene theologian and exegete, was a pupil of Diodore. He studied rhetoric with the pagan teacher Libanius at Antioch, then, in 369, with his friend John Chrysostom, entered the school of Diodore in Antioch. In 392 he became Bishop of Mopsuestia, remaining for the rest of his life in the see and gaining a reputation for learning and orthodoxy. In his biblical commentaries he used scientific, critical, philological and historical methods, following Diodore and rejecting the Alexandrian tradition of allegorical exegesis. Neither Theodore nor Diodore were accused of heresy during their own lifetime. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM (347-407) studied with Theodore in the schools of both Libanius and Diodore. He wrote sermons of many books of the Bible - Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, Matthew, John, Acts, the Pauline Epistles, Hebrews. In the Antiochene tradition, he stressed the literal sense as opposed to the allegorical. He incurred the enmity of the Patriarch of Alexandria, and of the Empress Eudoxia. Despite the support of the people of Constantinople, of the Pope and of the entire western Church, he was deposed and exiled, and died from his harsh treatment in 407. He has never been accused of heresy, and indeed is considered a Saint and a Doctor of the Church. NESTORIUS (born after 351, died after 451) entered a monstery in Antioch, and was taught in the Antiochene tradition, probably by Theodore of Mopsuestia. In 428, with the support of the Emperor Theodosius II, he was made Patriarch of Constantinople. He considered himself a strong supporter of orthodoxy and a foe to heretics and schismatics. He opposed the term 'Theotokos' (God-bearer, Mother of God) because it seemed to him to smack of Apollinarianism. The word had long been in use among theologians of the highest orthodoxy. He was opposed (of course) by the Alexandrians, notably Cyril of Alexandria and the Egyptian monks. The Pope (Celestine) held a council in Rome in 430 and condemned Nestorius' teaching. Cyril was commissioned to pronounce sentence of deposition on Nestorius. In the next year, 431, the Emperor summoned an Ecumenical Council (the third in the series) to meet at Ephesus. This deposed Nestorius, who was sent back to his monastery in Antioch, and later into exile, where he died. We shall look at the teaching of Nestorius in more detail in later postings. THEODORET OF CYRRHUS (393-460), was a native of Antioch, and was educated in its monastery schools. He was consecrated Bishop of Cyrrhus in 423, and governed his diocese with great wisdom and munificence, at the same time fighting paganism and heresy. He was a friend and admirer of Nestorius, and took his side against Cyril of Alexandria, whom he detected a new form of Apollinarianism. He accepted to title 'theotokos' only in a figurative (Pickwickian?) sense. He continued to oppose Cyril after the Council of Ephesus. He was deposed by the another council in Ephesus (the so-called 'Latrocinium' or 'den of thieves', of which more later) but later reinstated. He attended the Council of Chalcedon (451) where he was persuaded, reluctantly, to anathematize Nestorius. He spent the rest of his life in peaceful possession of his see, and was never, during his lifetime, convicted of heresy by any reputable authority. IBAS (Bishop of Edessa from 435 to 449 and from 451 to 457 was closely associated with the policy and doctrine of Theodoret. Like Thedoret be was deposed by the Latrocinium and reinstated at Chalcedon. The Supple Doctor. ____________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.co.uk address at http://mail.yahoo.co.uk or your free @yahoo.ie address at http://mail.yahoo.ie %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%