“This volume includes all that Gregory had to say on the Song of Songs. It is intended as the major sourcebook for anyone with an interest in Gregory’s exegesis of this biblical book. Students of patristic and medieval scriptural exegesis will find in this volume the work of a master of the exegetical art whose interpretations are methodologically fascinating, theologically profound, and historically influential. This volume will also be of interest to students of patristic and medieval Christian thought more generally, for Gregory frequently uses the Song of Songs to expound upon some of the classic themes of patristic theology, and Gregory’s influence on medieval Christianity is all-encompassing. Those interested in monastic spirituality in general and in Cistercian spirituality in particular will find in this volume the source from which many monastic writers such as Bernard of Clairvaux and William of Saint Thierry developed their own interpretations of the Song of Songs and their own teachings on the spiritual life. Finally, this volume will be of particular interest to students of William of Saint Thierry since it contains a translation of one of the few parts of his corpus that has remained hitherto unavailable in English, thus enabling the evaluation of his thought with more accuracy and greater insight.” —“PREFACE”
CONTENTS
Preface List of Abbreviations A Note on References to Primary Sources Introduction I. The Life of Gregory the Great and His Writings A. Rome in Late Antiquity B. Gregory’s Early Years C. Deacon and Papal Apocrisiarius D. Gregory’s Papacy E. Gregory’s Writings F. Gregory’s Death and Legacy II. Gregory’s Writings on the Song of Songs A. Gregory’s Exposition on the Song of Songs 1. The Question of Authenticity 2. The Date and Circumstances of Composition 3. The Scope of the Exposition B. The Excerpters of Gregory 1. Paterius’s Book of Testimonies 2. Bede’s Commentary on the Song of Songs 3. William of Saint Thierry’s Excerpts from the Books of Blessed Gregory on the Song of Songs III. Gregory’s Exegesis of the Song of Songs A. Gregory in the History of Interpretation B. Gregory’s Method of Scriptural Exegesis 1. Gregory’s Exegetical Motivation 2. Grammatical Reading Techniques 3. Gregory’s Figural Approach to the Song of Songs 4. Gregory’s Exegetical Practice IV. Gregory’s Sources A. Origen B. Augustine C. Apponius D. Ambrose of Milan E. John Cassian V. Two Notes to the Reader A. Note on References to the Song of Songs B. Note on the Translations Translations I. Gregory the Great’s Exposition on the Song of Songs Introduction Translation II. Excerpts from the Works of Gregory the Great on the Song of Songs Compiled by Paterius and Bede Introduction Bede’s Preface to Commentary on the Song of Songs VI Translation of the Compilations of Paterius and Bede III. William of Saint Thierry’s Excerpts from the Books of Blessed Gregory on the Song of Songs Introduction Translation IV. Supplemental Texts Introduction Translation Appendices Appendix One: Gregory’s Citations of the Song of Songs Appendix Two: Table of Correspondences among Paterius, Bede, and William Appendix Three: Textual Notes on Gregory the Great’s Exposition on the Song of Songs Appendix Four: Textual Notes on the Compilations of Paterius and Bede Appendix Five: Textual Notes on William of Saint Thierry’s Excerpts from the Books of Blessed Gregory on the Song of Songs Bibliography Scriptural Index General Index
Item Number: BKLP918 Publication Data: Trappist, KY/Collegeville, MN: Cistercian Publications/Liturgical Press, 2012 Format: softcover Number of Pages: xviii + 326 Dimensions (l × w × h): 21.5 cm × 13.9 cm × 1.8 cm ISBN: 978‒0‒87907‒244‒5
