Types, metaphors and symbols for baptism in the catechetical, artistic and liturgical genres of the early Church : a literary-aesthetic approach to the study of typology in early Christian hermeneutics
In the historico-critical paradigm typology was defined in terms of prefiguration and identified with corresponding events in 'salvation history. ' In contrast, Frances Young identifies typology as a hermeneutic which has its roots in the literary structure of texts. The object of this thesis is to explore the phenomenon of typology within the hermeneutics of the early Church and to assess typology's contribution to the formation of Christian identity and culture. The thesis proposes an integrated approach to the study of type, metaphor and symbol across literary and aesthetic genres, and within a limited context, i. e., Christian initiation. The introduction to the thesis surveys typology within the historical and literary paradigms. Section one considers varied uses of typology in the catechetical homilies of the Fathers. Section two looks at typology in the artistic programmes of some early Christian baptisteries. Section three surveys uses of typology in some prayers of early baptismal liturgies. By redefining typology in terms of mimesis, multi-valence and multi-culturalism we are able to demonstrate the way in which early Christians forged imaginative links between their own worshipping community and
Lindsay, Karen Martin
Liturgy; Catechists
Types, metaphors and symbols for baptism in the catechetical, artistic and liturgical genres of the early Church : a literary-aesthetic approach to the study of typology in early Christian hermeneutics. In the historico-critical paradigm typology was defined in terms of prefiguration and identified with corresponding events in 'salvation history. ' In contrast, Frances Young identifies typology as a hermeneutic which has its roots in the literary structure of texts. The object of this thesis is to explore the phenomenon of typology within the hermeneutics of the early Church and to assess typology's contribution to the formation of Christian identity and culture. The thesis proposes an integrated approach to the study of type, metaphor and symbol across literary and aesthetic genres, and within a limited context, i. e., Christian initiation. The introduction to the thesis surveys typology within the historical and literary paradigms. Section one considers varied uses of typology in the catechetical homilies of the Fathers. Section two looks at typology in the artistic programmes of some early Christian baptisteries. Section three surveys uses of typology in some prayers of early baptismal liturgies. By redefining typology in terms of mimesis, multi-valence and multi-culturalism we are able to demonstrate the way in which early Christians forged imaginative links between their own worshipping community and
types metaphor symbols baptism catechetical artistic liturgical genre early_church literary aesthetic study typology early_christian hermeneutics historico critical paradigm typology define_term identify corresponding event salvation history contrast young identify typology hermeneutic root literary structure text object explore phenomenon typology within hermeneutics early_church ass typology formation christian identity culture proposes integrate study type metaphor symbol across literary aesthetic genre within limited context christian initiation introduction_survey typology within historical_literary paradigm section_one considers vary typology catechetical homily fathers section_two look typology artistic programme early_christian section_three survey use typology prayer early baptismal liturgy redefine typology term mimesis multi valence multi able way early christians forge imaginative link worship community