2. Background: Tension, Ambiguity, and Discussion Surrounding a Verse

Open Access2. Background: Tension, Ambiguity, and Discussion Surrounding a Versehttps://doi.org/10.13109/9783666573507.33SectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail AboutQuod autem ait: Crescite et multiplicamini, replete terram, necesse fuit prius plantare silvam crescere, ut esset quod postea posset excidi. Simulque consideranda vis verbi, terram. Nuptiae terram replent, virginitas paradisum. And whereas he says »Be fruitful multiply, replenish the earth«, it was necessary first plant wood let grow, so that there might be an aftergrowth for cutting down. at same time we must bear in mind meaning of phrase, »replenish earth.« Marriage replenishes earth, virginity fills Paradise. —Jerome, Against JovinianusIn following chapter, examine several historic conversations trace their origins back both ancient world early church which are, furthermore, pertinent Reformation understanding our verse as well topics closely related its interpretation. The conversation dates Jerome, Ambrose, Augustine, concerns teachings one Jovinian. Specifically, will observe how his condemnation led subsequent association Jovinian heresy with particularly strong normative verse. Somewhat tangential this conversation, note elements ambiguity stemming from period, whether theology Augustine Chrysostom or liturgical practices connected marriage were present already time. We then undertake investigation relationship between strains natural law thinking what relevance these have such procreation Genesis 1:‍28. Here especially developments – latent tensions Middle Ages. Finally, offer attention understandings anatomy (as gleaned reception classical thinkers Aristotle Galen), say vis-à-vis use body, procreation, own verse.2.1 Historical Tension 1:‍28 Celibacy ChurchHaving made brief allusion introductory chapter before encounter polemics surrounding chapters helpful provide overview tension church. To begin with, then, recall throughout church’s history multiply« has been treated certain amount ambivalence. Whereas Judaism historically generally understood covenantal confirmation ongoing divine mandate, Christianity often questioned nature words contained therein, namely, multiply fill According Jeremy Cohen, likely relates fact is not referenced New Testament more concerned formative theological debates pay too much verse1. Additionally, ascetic thought influence gained precedence, celibacy greater interest fathers than fertility2. Nevertheless, remained divergence opinions On hand, second century Irenaeus Lyons Clement Alexandria used establish marital over against condemnations heretical Encratism (with asceticism), Gnosticism, Marcionism all whose tendencies despised materiality worldliness sexual relations3.On other however, moving into third century, sway grew. In West, example, while continuing opposition previously mentioned teachings, voices those Cyprian Tertullian spoke out clearly favor relegated secondary, if sinful, status4. This situation was, even extreme East. Here, teachers Eusebius Ceasarea Origen, heavy encratistic emphasis decided preference allegorical spiritual interpretations, deprived any literal application significance5. fact, Cohen notes most remarkable complaint lobbied by fourth Jew recorded protégé Eusebius,Be may, events latter part deserve special attention. While gets impression had largely sided preferred modes life time, reality somewhat complicated. that, earlier rejection Encratism, many still skeptical (and critical!) practice, viewed socially disruptive, held suspicions past associations7. words, decision corollary interpretation enduring command yet reached8.It charged setting perhaps significant marriage, celibacy, sexuality prior occurred. late monk teacher church, Jovinian, began attack growing upon leanings His derived Jerome’s responses, can summarized main points:Virgins, widows, married women, once they washed Christ, are merit, do differ works.Those who born again Baptism full faith cannot overthrown devil.There no difference abstinence food receiving thanksgiving.There reward kingdom heaven preserved Baptism9.Jovinian’s attracted considerable around Rome, among older ascetics compelled marry on account persuasive scriptural argumentation behalf marriage10. Furthermore, shy attacking practiced Jerome charging them »Manichaean« heresy11. charge which, though technically inaccurate, precedent dealings teachings12. could good reason consider itself within mainstream orthodox teachers, nothing contemporaries anonymous Ambrosiaster 13.There two points about ensued. First, Jovinian’s dramatic egalitarian implications very threatened higher status monastics authority itself. For thing, emphasizing Christians equal God through waters neither monastic practice nor constitutes better path salvation, calling monks, virgins, widows directly challenged. given vocation another, also free strongly emphasize goodness creation including matters received right spirit. Along lines, stressed importance marriage14 primordial Old patriarchs salvation history15.The point despite claims correct followers did carry day. opponents, varying reasons, countered charges cries same. Pope Siricius reacted challenge supposed contempt some celibate priests16. Ambrose took offense leveling particular Mary’s continued partu17. resulted ultimately being condemned heretic synods Rome Milan 39318.Yet, serious forceful counter writings came year later pen Jerome. 394 wrote Adversus Jovinianum, scathing work self-serving condemnatory opponent19. sake study, important retained forever heretic. Thus, only condemned, but anyone said things similar argued (never frame teaching condemnation) now immediately tagged troublemaker. when (i. e. 1:‍28) earth heaven20 (a phrase appear discussions), saying authority. Yet, should someone argue state just holy celibate, beginning tread dangerous turf lead Jovinianism.Augustine, course, position himself zeal attempting navigate moderate distance him properly value chastity, ended up strengthening cause inherent sinfulness »sex« praise chastity. At created goods marriage21. respect 1:‍28, rather ambiguous. first, decidedly thus hesitant endorsement marriage. Later, shifted approach regarding multiply«, proles offspring) clear »goods« unimpeded service favored celibacy22. event, aftermath Jovinianist controversy opposed him, heated discussion silenced ensuing centuries. unresolved remained. exist literal, naturalistic level constitutive God’s human proles). privileged place prominence Christian teaching23.Turning eastward, distinguished father, John Chrysostom. Similar contemporaries, outspoken advocate virginity. Indeed, Peter Brown Chrysostom’s preaching Antioch strove steer city’s citizens away marriage24 Chrysostom, like fully populated25. surface level, would seem terribly contextual discussion.This case turn general usage corresponding places Homilies Luther familiarity 1510s26 receives sparing note, Lenten series sermons arrives Homily 8, placed lopsided manner dominion granted mankind creation27. Among things, included merely lordship creation, subjugation passions28. comparison, concern blessing seems slight pointed beasts. »Those ›Increase earth‹, see brute beasts reptiles alike, ›Gain control‹ directed man woman«29.In ways, aforementioned come surprise. After all, along fathers, unlike room Fall30. propagation race intercourse something seemingly begrudgingly »allowed for« Golden-mouthed father condescension kindness, offspring buoyed hope Adam Eve resurrection31.Nevertheless, seeming ambivalence towards promise deference angels, power view creative work. lacking compelling force, catches glimpse treats 9:18 overwhelming odds repopulating faced Noah family exit ark. remarks, »Don’t surprised, dearly beloved: managing everything, Creator removing difficulties, direction increase«32. finds parallel working multiplication Israelites enslaved Egypt33. As mentioned, divinely vested mankind. It is, urged man’s prelapsarian state. times, does show glimmers prowess noted De virginitate34 where likens word Lord’s Supper original mankind35.In treatment general, 1:22 runs proves informative and, perhaps, significant. looking understands work, quickly becomes cognizant active powerful days creation. something, addition purposeful marvelous intentionality ordering, repeated emphasis36. What enlightening, connection ongoing, continuous effectiveness present. speaking plants, comments, »Now plants bring forth. God, unto present«37. Even clearly, states birds sea creatures multiply«), »That word, you know, influences present, spanned extent without species diminished. form multiply‹, bestowed permanence«38. meet »upholding« »word power« (Hebrews 1:3) homily book Hebrews39.For purposes take survey involves further. From above, evident found allow disparate strands, potentially, pulled each other. idea upholds grants permanence, transposed animal realm, leads contradictory ideas freedom. far leap imagine creating way able draw direct link Luther’s thought, drew initial lectures effect area. Mickey Mattox, played insignificant role anonymously remaining background Genesis40. homilies Hebrews studied frequently book. way, illustrates preacher.Continuing Ages, Western Christianity. naturally required continuance corresponding, non-naturalistic (at least individual level), ambiguous One development significance, arrived appropriation Aristotelian (ca. thirteenth century) theory41. tradition excluded foundational role42, precept men Albertus Magnus Thomas Aquinas 43. ius naturale left arbitrary explained communal fulfilled community44. remainder Ages leading Reformation, expectant hand balanced maintained quo favoring orders hierarchy. poised play decisive exegesis impulse law. That simply say: stage set emerge sixteenth century.2.2 Liturgical Use 1:‍28An interesting topic adjacent specifically, ecclesial involvement marriages. point, observed towards, devaluation of, noted, were, shift trajectory subsequently influential characters notably ante-Nicene Chrysostom.These notwithstanding, remnants competing theologies erased church? Is further elevated espoused likes Ambrosiaster, Helvidius 45 concomitant exaltation verse? Significantly appears continues realm understanding. nuptial blessing. Although significance residual element may questioned, presence alone gave witness different idealized celibacy. Moreover, follows, linger, reverberate strongly, regions, span centuries approaching Reformation. rites incorporation 1:‍28.It suggested sort priestly east 46 subsequently, Basil Caesarea Gregory Nazianzus 47. west, refers practice48, environs concretely attested49. unknown figure Quæstiones veteris novi testament 127, peccato Adæ Evæ50. then-contemporary ever-increasing turns 1:22‍/‍28 He writes,Two taken this. correspondence petition blessing52 offered clergy, seemed emerging, attested West time53. Second, act reflected de facto marriage’s actual ran emerging preeminence itself, explicit indirect echoes fore reference Tobit 54, thus, practical function positive contemporaneous otherwise indicated55.For purposes, comprehensive study liturgies helpful, practical, vanish coming Instead, depending location, serve noticeable, prominent, life. prayers fertility mainstay western (Gregorian, Gelasian, Leonine)56 these, conservatively speaking, indirectly alluded blessing, ipsissima verba find use.We see, Isadore Seville (c. 560–‍636) simultaneously, takes church57. Nicholas I, letter Bulgarians 866, gives 58. Interestingly, matter involved i. divorce Lothar II Theutberga 59, relation Hincmar Reims. Ritzer Divortio Lotharii Tetbergae, derives clergy pronounce exercised consecrating marriage60. grounded seen Hincmar’s words:Interestingly, here whatever existed easily common parlance. This, raises question popular references associated medieval magical practices62 Chaucer 63, acknowledge usage?Whatever be, era, disappeared. regions liturgies, quite pronounced. enjoyed minimal recognition fifteenth France, appearing, did, Lyon Agenda 149864. closer proximity Wittenberg, blessings Meissen 151265. prevalent Bugenhagen incorporations entirely unprecedented. sources relied identifiable, employment falls wider spectrum practice66.2.3 Natural Law, Nature, Human Will, ReasonWe toward long debate reformers participated. fair, complicated due terminological fluidity multiple historical, theological, philosophical layers. vantage scholarship law, arrive conclusion little study67. approached broader historical discussions comprise backdrop emerged under slightly categories.Historic BackgroundWe topic, therefore, noting concept various divergent strands. predominate strand, times pre-Reformation scholasticism, reason’s moral order things. fundamental strain discussed pertains morality maxims Golden Rule, Ten Commandments, lex charitatis. part, Me‍lanch‍thon discuss dialogue law.In originated Stoic tradition68, propagated via Cicero, brought Roman legal tradition, manifested schools Ages69. characterized less ability make determinations universal arrangement nature/creation responsibility live according ordering70. benefit examination lays context study.Beginning Felix Flückiger fusion wisdom naturae. classic embraced fatalism ideal living ordering Logos pantheistic notion shared participation man71. noteworthy Stoics Logos’s naturae creature’s drives self-preservation, finding procreation72. Flückiger, making foregoing observations, cites Cicero’s officiis representative matter. mention Cicero writing high esteem 73. Quoting Cicero:First Nature endowed every creature instinct avoiding injury limb, procuring providing everything needful food, shelter, like. A property reproductive (the purpose species) th