3 Review(s)

Marcellus of Ancyra (ca. 285-374) was a controversial figure in the Trinitarian debate after Nicaea. He has often been written off as the odd heretic who misunderstood the teaching of the Council of Nicaea and taught that the Godhead temporarily expanded into a Dyad, and then into a Triad, but would, at the end of time, contract once again to a Monad. In other words, he supposedly taught that the Trinity was a temporary phenomenon. But, according to the author of this volume, Marcellus was not primarily concerned with speculation on the Trinity; rather his concern was with monotheism, and with the full humanity of Christ. Here, Joseph T. Lienhard, S.J., studies the so-called Arian controversy of the fourth century from one well-defined angle: Marcellus and his influence. The book shows that Marcellus, far from being isolated, was part of a larger theological tendency. Among those who sympathized with him were Athanasius of Alexandria, much of the western church, and bishops in Asia Minor and Egypt. Lienhard begins by studying Marcellus's life and the history of modern scholarship on Marcellus. He then examines the Arian controversy in terms of two theological systems in conflict, called ""miahypostatic theology"" and ""dyohypostatic theology,"" depending on whether a system held that God is best called one hypostasis or two. Lienhard provides a complete analysis of Marcellus's theology, using only the certainly authentic works of his that survive, and traces the reactions to his teaching--from those who remained sympathetic to him, to those who rejected his theology outright, and finally to those who partially accepted his theses. This book is part of a larger project among scholars to reexamine and rewrite the history of the Arian controversy in the fourth century. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joseph T. Lienhard, S.J., is professor of theology at Fordham University and vice-president of the North American Patristics Society. He is the author, editor, or translator of several books, including Paulinus of Nola and Early Western Monasticism; Ministry; The Bible, the Church, and Authority; and Origen: Homilies on Luke. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK: ""[Marcellus] stands in history as a shadowy figure of dubious reputation, who was often used as a symbol of error and heresy. Lienhard has performed a major service for both Marcellus and scholars of Christian history and theology by presenting this study of the man, his life and works, his thought, and especially his opponents. . . . Lienhard draws a coherent picture of the controversy that swirled about Marcellus and comes to some surprising conclusions. . . . As sound history this book is a valuable contribution not only for the study of fourth-century church history and doctrine but also for the contemporary stages of an ongoing tradition.""--Theological Studies ""Lienhard's new work on Marcellus of Ancyra makes several positive contributions toward a genuine understanding of the stereotyped Marcellus. . . . Lienhard's book provides a well informed basis on which English-language scholarship on Marcellus can develop, while detailing a comprehensive summary and understanding of European--especially German--scholarship on Marcellus over the last century. Lienhard makes a unique contribution in his account of Marcellus and his theology, which places his work squarely within the context of fourth-century debates, and offers an analysis of Marcellus' theology that draws out the broader theological issues. Particularly useful, and the book's most original contribution, is the question of sensitivity to distinctions between pre-Incarnate and Incarnate Christologies, a very important analytical tool.""--Journal of Early Christian Studies