THE IMAGE OF THE CHURCH 1111.odt

8/19/2019 THE IMAGE OF THE CHURCH 1111.odt

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Table of Contents

THE IMAGE OF THE CHURCH AS MOTHER, NIGERIAN SOCIAL SITUATIONS:IMPLICATIONS. ................................................................................................................. 5

GENERAL INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 5Statement of the Pro !em .............................................................................................. "

A#m of the $or% ............................................................................................................ &'Metho(o!o)* ................................................................................................................. &&$or% P!an ..................................................................................................................... &&

CHAPTER ONE:THE ET+MOLOGICAL DEFINITION OF THE CONCEPTS ................ &&.' Intro(- t#on ............................................................................................................. &&.& The term Ch-r h .................................................................................................... &&. Mother an( Motherhoo( ........................................................................................ &5&./ The Mean#n) of the 0or( Ima)e ............................................................................ &1

CHAPTER T$O: 2I2LICAL FOUNDATION OF THE IMAGE OF CHURCH AS MOTHER ......................................................................................................................................... &

.' Intro(- t#on ............................................................................................................. &

.& The Ima)e of the Ch-r h Mother #n Ne0 Te3tament ............................................. &. The Go34e! A o-nt3 ......................................................................................... ./ Pa-!#ne E4#3t!e3 ..................................................................................................

. Se on( Letter of 6ohn & ..................................................................................... 7

.5 The 2oo% of Re8e!at#on & ................................................................................. 9

.5.& The oo% of Re8e!at#on &1 ............................................................................... 1.7 Cha4ter Re3-me .................................................................................................... /'

CHAPTER THREE: THE HISTORICAL DE ELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF THEIMAGE OF THE CHURCH AS MOTHER ........................................................................ /&/.' Intro(- t#on ................................................................................................................ /&

/.& Chr#3t#an#t* #n ear!* Cent-r* ................................................................................... //. TERTULLIAN &7'; ' AD ..................................................................................... /

/. .& Tert-!!#an


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/.5 AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO / 5; /' AD .................................................................... "/.5.& The Ch-r h a3 Mother #n the 0or% of A-)-3t#ne ............................................. 1

/.7 Mater#a! 3o-r e3 for the Father3 on the Materna! Ima)e of the Ch-r h ................ 55/.7.& The Father


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7.& A 2r#ef H#3tor* of the three Ma or Ethn# )ro-43 #n N#)er#a .................................. &''7.&.& The +or- a ethn# )ro-4 ............................................................................... &'&7.&. The Ha-3a ethn# )ro-4 ................................................................................ &'7. ./ The I) o ethn# )ro-4. ................................................................................... &'/

7./ An O8er8#e0 of the S#)n#f# an e of Re!#)#on #n N#)er#an C-!t-re3 an( So #et* . . &'7. The A(8ent of Chr#3t#an#t* #n N#)er#a: Conta t, E 4an3#on3 an( Cha!!en)e3 ...... &'1

7. .& The Ear!* Da0n of Chr#3t#an#t* #n N#)er#a ...................................................... &&'7. . The Penetrat#on of Chr#3t#an#t* #n $e3tern N#)er#a >+ORU2A? ..................... &&/7. ./ Chr#3tan#Bat#on of the Ea3tern N#)er#a >IG2O? .............................................. &&7. . The A(8ent of Chr#3t#an#t* #n Northern N#)er#a ............................................. &&7

7.5 Metho(3 A(o4te( * the Ear!* M#33#onar#e3 #n E8an)e!#B#n) of N#)er#a .............. &&17.5.& A44roa h#n) f#r3t the Ro*a! an( No !e3 of the Lan( >THE RO+AL COURT?

................................................................................................................................ &&17.5. The E3ta !#3hment of #!!a)e3 of Ho4e ........................................................ & '7.5./ E(- at#on ..................................................................................................... &7.5. Me(# a! A4o3to!ate Pro)amm ..................................................................... & /

7.7 The Da0n of In(e4en(ent Ch-r he3 #n N#)er#a ................................................. & 57.7.& The A!a(-ra Ch-r he3 #n N#)er#a .................................................................. & "

7.9 The S#t-at#on of the Ch-r h #n N#)er#a To(a* ...................................................... &/'7.9.& o at#on #n rea3e #n N#)er#an Mother Ch-r h ............................................... &/'7.9. Other 3#)n3 of De8e!o4ment Gro0th an( E 4an3#on #n the Ch-r h #n N#)er#a ................................................................................................................................ &/&7.9./ The S-r)e of Pra*er M#n#3tr#e3 an( Hea!#n) Centre3 #n the Ch-r h #n N#)er#a................................................................................................................................ &//7.9. The Pra*er M#n#3tr* D#re te( * the La* Fa#thf-! .......................................... &/

7." The Cha!!en)e3 Fa #n) the Ch-r h #n N#)er#a ..................................................... &/57.".& The U43-r)e #n Fo-n(#n) Ch-r he3, M#n#3tr#e3 an( Hea!#n) Centre3 #n theCh-r h #n N#)er#a .................................................................................................... &/77.". Man#4-!at#on #n the Name of Go( .................................................................. &/"7."./ The Menta!#t* of De8#! Men#a ........................................................................ &/17.". Sa ramenta!#3m ............................................................................................. &/17.".5 The Pra t# e of Fam#!* De!#8eran e .............................................................. & &7.".7 Marr#a)e Pro !em3 ........................................................................................ & /

7.1 Cha4ter Re3-me .................................................................................................. & 5CHAPTER SE EN: THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGE OF$OMEN IN NIGERIAN CULTURES AND SOCIET+ .................................................... & 9

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9.' Intro(- t#on ........................................................................................................... & 99.& The Genera! Un(er3tan(#n) of the Con e4t an( Str- t-re of Fam#!* ................. & "9. The Fam#!* #n N#)er#an C-!t-re3 an( So #et* ....................................................... &5&9./ Motherhoo( #n N#)er#an C-!t-re3 ......................................................................... &5

9. Conte t-a! A44!# at#on3 of the on e4t Nne #n I) o C-!t-re of N#)er#a ............ &579.5 The Ro!e3 of $omen #n N#)er#an C-!t-re3 an( So #et*: Fam#!* .......................... &5"

9.5.& Tra(#t#ona! Marr#a)e #n N#)er#an C-!t-re3 >I) o? ........................................... &519.7.& The ar#n) ro!e ............................................................................................... &7/9.7. The e(- at#8e ro!e ......................................................................................... &759.7./ The 4rote t#8e ro!e ......................................................................................... &799.7. The e onom# ro!e ......................................................................................... &7"

9.9 F-rther Ro!e3 of $omen #n the C-!t-re3 an( So #et* of N#)er#a ......................... &9'

9." The Re!#)#o-3 Ro!e3 of $omen #n N#)er#an C-!t-re3 an( So #et* ....................... &9&9.".& The ro!e of 0omen #n N#)er#an Tra(#t#ona! Re!#)#on a3 4r#e3te33e3 .............. &9&9.". $omen a3 (#8#ner3 #n Tra(#t#ona! Re!#)#on .................................................... &9/9."./ $omen a3 tra(#t#ona! me(# a! 4er3onne! ...................................................... &959.". $omen a3 a)ent3 of 3o #a! r#t# 3 ................................................................. &97

9.1 $omen #n the h#3tor* of the Ch-r h .................................................................... &999.&' The Ro!e of $omen #n the Ch-r h #n N#)er#a .................................................... &91

9.&'.& The Ro!e of the $omen Re!#)#o-3 Con)re)at#on3 #n the N#)er#an Ch-r h . &"&

9.&'. The Ro!e of the Catho!# $omen Or)an#Bat#on >C$O? #n the N#)er#anCh-r h .................................................................................................................... &"9.&'./ The o e t#8e3 an( )oa!3 of the Catho!# $omen Or)an#Bat#on #n N#)er#anCh-r h .................................................................................................................... &"

9.&& $omen a3 # t#m3 of #o!en e #n N#)er#an C-!t-re3 an( So #et* ...................... &"59.& Cha4ter Re3-me ................................................................................................ &"7

CHAPTER EIGHT: THE CHURCH AND THE SOCIAL SITUATIONS IN NIGERIA: THEIMPLICATIONS .............................................................................................................. &"1".' Intro(- t#on .............................................................................................................. &"1

".& E 4o3#t#on of L#fe S#t-at#on3 #n N#)er#a: Po8ert* ................................................. &1'".&.& Po!#t# a! 3#t-at#on ............................................................................................ &1/".&. Corr-4t#on ...................................................................................................... &1".&./ 2o%o Haram ................................................................................................... &19".&. The E(- at#ona! 3#t-at#on .............................................................................. &11".&.5 The Hea!th; are 3*3tem ................................................................................ &11

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".&.7 The Re!#)#o-3 3#t-at#on .................................................................................. '&". THE IMPLICATION OF THE IMAGE OF THE CHURCH AS MOTHER .............. '5

". .& The M#33#on of the Ch-r h #n N#)er#a ............................................................ '5". . 2# !# a! Fo-n(at#on of M#33#on ...................................................................... '5

"./ The Materna! M#33#on of the Ch-r h ................................................................... '7"./.& The So #a! Im4!# at#on3 of the Ch-r h a3 Mother for N#)er#an3 .................... '9"./. The mother h-r h an( the 4o8ert* 3#t-at#on #n N#)er#a ............................... '""././ The mother h-r h an( e(- at#on 3#t-at#on #n N#)er#a .................................. &'"./. The mother h-r h an( 4o!#t# a! 3#t-at#on #n N#)er#a ..................................... &"./.5 The mother h-r h an( hea!th; are 3*3tem #n N#)er#a ................................. &5"./.7 The mother h-r h an( N#)er#an re!#)#o-3 3#t-at#on ...................................... &9

". Theo!o)# a! #m4!# at#on of the #ma)e of the Ch-r h a3 Mother for N#)er#an3 ...... &"

".5 Cha4ter Re3-me ................................................................................................. &1CHAPTER NINE: 2EING A CHRISTIAN TODA+ IN THE NIGERIAN SITUATION ...... &

1.' Intro(- t#on ........................................................................................................... &1.& Theo!o)# a! 4er34e t#8e .......................................................................................

1.&.& Nee( for #m4a t#n) theo!o)# a! 8#rt-e3 e34e #a!!* that of Fa#th ..................... 71. The Sa ramenta! 4er34e t#8e .............................................................................. 91./ Pa3tora! Materna! 4er34e t#8e: So!#(ar#t* ............................................................ 1

1./.& Pa3tora! Materna! So!#(ar#t* of the Ch-r h 0#th the Poor #n N#)er#a ............. /&

1./. Materna! Pa3tora! So!#(ar#t* 0#th the 3# % an( a)e( one3 #n N#)er#a ............ /&1. The Mother Ch-r h: Marr#a)e an( Fam#!* #n N#)er#an C-!t-re3 an( So #et* ...... //

1. .& Materna! Patora! So!#(ar#t* 0#th the Ch#!(!e33 fam#!* #n N#)er#a .................... /51.5 Nee( for Pra t# a! Materna! So!#(ar#t* 0#th other Chr#3t#an Ch-r he3 an( Re!#)#on3#n N#)er#a .................................................................................................................... /11.7 A44ro4rat#on of her Materna! Pro4het# -a!#t* ................................................... /1.9 Effe t#8e A)en(a for the L# erat#on an( Em4o0erment of N#)er#an $omen. .... 51." Nee( to Promote Effe t#8e 6-3t# e #n N#)er#a ...................................................... 71.1 Nee( for Materna! E(- at#on an( Cate he3#3 ..................................................... "1.&' Re ommen(at#on3 ............................................................................................ 11.&& L#m#tat#on ............................................................................................................ 5/1.& Genera! Con !-3#on ............................................................................................ 5/

SELECTED 2I2LIOGRPH+ ....................... 59

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PROJECT TOPIC: THE CHURCH AS MOTHER: AN ECCLESIOLOGICAL INSIGHTINTO ITS IMPLICATION TO THE NIGERIAN SOCIAL SITUATIONS

CHAPTER ONE:THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHURCH AS MOTHER

1 ! Int"o#$%t&on

One of the 3tron)e3t #n3t#n t3 #n e8er* !#8#n) th#n) #3 that of !#fe 4re3er8at#on for ont#n-#t*. The 3ame #3 a44!# a !e to an* )#8en h-man #n3t#t-t#on3 an( or)an#Bat#on3

0#th re)ar( to her mem er3. It #3 nat-ra! then, that a!! 34e #e3 of !#8#n) th#n)3 (e3#reont#n-#t* an( a hor3 e t#n t#on. Th-3, the 3-3ta#na #!#t* of h-man 34e #e3 ome

thro-)h h-man 4ro reat#on. The 4ro reat#8e a t#8#t* #3 one of the mo3t 4re #o-3 )#ft Go()a8e to h#3 reat-re3. L#8#n) a )oo( !#fe #3 one of the f-n(amenta! 8a!-e3 e8er* man an(0oman 3tr#8e3 to atta#n. E8er* other 8a!-e one a34#re3 for #3 a3e( on the a33-m4t#on

that there #3 !#fe hen e the 3a*#n), on e there #3 !#fe there #3 ho4e . Th#3 #3 0h* amon)a!! the e #3tent !#fe ran%3 the mo3t 8a!-a !e. S-r4r#3#n)!*, Go( )#8e3 th#3 34e #a! )#ft of !#fe at no o3t.

The Gene3#3 a o-nt of reat#on 4re3ent3 to -3 ho0 the f#r3t ma!e an( fema!e 0a3reate( an( entr-3te( 0#th the 4o0er to m-!t#4!e an( are for the earth. Thro-)h the a t

of om#n) to)ether of man an( 0oman, !#fe ome3 #nto e #3ten e #n the form of a h#!(.L#fe #3 me(#ate( to the off34r#n) thro-)h the mother. Th#3 (oe3 not #m4!* that the father34!a* !e33er ro!e #n th#3 re)ar(. The 4arent3 are #n8o!8e( #n th#3 a t to)ether. 2-t mother3are 8er* 4rom#nent #n the 4ro e33. From on e4t#on to the 4o#nt of (e!#8er* of her h#!(,the mother #3 8er* m- h !o3e to the a * an( 3o on. A e4te( that mother3 4!a* r- #a!

ro!e #n ear#n) h#!(ren, #t #3 o 3er8a !e that 0#th rea%thro-)h #n 3 #en e one hear3to(a* of te3t t- e a #e3 an( !on#n). It #3 therefore not a norma! to hear the Ch-r he#n) referre( to a3 mother. The Chr#3t#an 34#r#t-a! !#fe 0e ha8e #3 thro-)h th#3 mean3

4er3e8ere(, 3-3ta#ne( an( 3o on. In th#3 3e t#on therefore, o-r on ern 0#!! entre on#n8e3t#)at#n) on the h-r h a3 mother #n the 2# !e. A e4te( that the h-r h 0a3 orn(-r#n) the Ne0 Te3tament 4er#o(, there are 4o#nter3 of th#3 #ma)e #n the O!( Te3tamentS r#4t-re. Th-3, 0e are )o#n) to fo -3e m- h on the Ne0 Te3tament 2# !e e a-3e, the

h-r h 0a3 orn #n th#3 era. A3 a mater of fa t, 0e are not )o#n) to en)a)e o-r3e!8e3 #na!! the ha4ter3 an( 4a)e3 of the Ne0 Te3tament 2# !e for th#3, rather, 0e 3e!e t 3ome

ha4ter3 that (ea! 0#th the #33-e -n(er #n8e3t#)at#on #n th#3 0or%. In other to a h#e8e thea#m of th#3 ha4ter therefore, 0e e)#n o-r #n8e3t#)at#on f#r3t an( foremo3t from the

2# !e e34e #a!!* the Ne0 Te3tament. Th#3 0#!! 4ro8#(e theo!o)# a! a3e for the 0or%. A)a#n, the %no0!e()e )a#ne( 0#!! 3er8e a3 4rereJ-#3#te to ar)-e for or a)a#n3t the #ma)eof the Ch-r h a3 mother. It 0#!! a!3o !ear the m#n(3 of 3ome )ro-43 that m#)ht etem4te( to J-e3t#on an( f!a0 the re(# #!#t* of the #ma)e of the Ch-r h a3 Mother a3 not

een # !# a!!* fo-n(e(.

1 1 T'e (&bl&%al Fo$n#at&on of t'e C'$"%' as Mot'e" &n t'e Ol# Testa)ent

Th#3 a4t#on 3et3 m#n(3 #nto r#)oro-3 th#n%#n). The rea3on #3 not far e a-3e,6


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h#3tor# a!!*, the Ch-r h #3 a h#!( of 4o3t;re3-rre t#on e8ent. 2e a-3e of th#3, 3ome ma*e J-# % to a3%, 0h* O!( Te3tament, an( 0h* not e)#n 0#th the Ne0 Te3tament. One of

the rea3on3 #3 that the e8ent of h-man 3a!8at#on #3 a 3#n)!e, -n#f#e( an( ont#n-o-3a t#on that 3tem3 from one 3o-r e an( 0#!! e8ent-a!!* f#n(3 #t3 o-r3e a % to the

e)#nn#n). Moreo8er, 0e are to ear #n m#n( that 0hate8er that #3 fo-n( #n the Ne0

Te3tament #3 a!rea(* #n the O!( Te3tament fore3ho0n. A or(#n) to Pre3ton, TheCh-r h a3 a 0oman, 0hether a3 a )#r! or r#(e or 0#fe or mother or 0#(o0, #3 an #ma)eroote( #n the O!( Te3tament an( f#n(#n) ne0 !#fe #n the Ne0. & In other to #n8e3t#)ate onthe h-r h a3 mother #n the O!( Te3tament, 0e e)#n 0#th 3ome oo%3 of the 4ro4het3.

A!tho-)h, #t #3 e8#(ent that the term h-r h a3 0e ha8e #t to(a* 0a3 ne8er -3e( #n th#34er#o(. The 4ro4het3 (e8e!o4e( the #(ea of the h-r h a3 mother #n the onte t of marr#a)e o8enant or re!at#on3h#4 et0een +ah0eh an( I3rae! a3 a nat#on. Th#3 o-!(

e one of the rea3on3 0h* I3rae!, #on or 6er-3a!em a44ear3 a3 0#fe of +ah0eh a3 ama or theme that -t3 a ro33 the 0r#t#n)3 of the 4ro4het3 of the O!( Te3tament. An(amon) a!! the nat#on3 on the fa e of the earth 4!anet, Go( ho3e for h#m3e!f a 4art# -!ar 3et of 4eo4!e (e3t#ne( to e h#3 o0n #n a 8er* 34e #a! 0a*. Th#3 (oe3 not mean that

other3 are not #m4ortant for Go(. The hoo3en nat#on * +ah0eh #3 to 3er8e #n therea!#Bat#on of Go(


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(-r#n) the#r 2a *!on#an e #!e an( the a e33#on of 34#r#t-a! I3rae!#te3 to the mother h-r h of 6er-3a!em from the Gent#!e3. The e #!e 4er#o( 3er8e3 a3 a 3hort moment of

(#8or e et0een +ah0eh an( h#3 r#(e #on. +et, I3rae! 0a3 not om4!ete!* thro0n o-t* Go( (e34#te the#r r#me3. Therefore, 0hat the* 3-ffere( 0a3 a3 re3-!t of the#r o0n

fa-!t. Ho0e8er, Go( a3 h-3 an( ha3 r#)ht o8er h#3 r#(e. An( o8er the h#!(ren he ha3

father!* r#)ht. Th-3, oth the mother an( the h#!(ren e!on) to +ah0eh the h-3 an(an( the father. In the onte t of I3a#ah 5':&, #on #3 f. I3a 7:&9;&"?.

4 .#i#+estudytoo+s.co co entaries ;a ieson fausset #ro n isaiah isaiah 4$.ht. &osition of the #i#+e isaiah 54 1.ht +. ander, Co entary on Isaiah: ( o


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The te t 4re3ent3 efore -3 the omm-na! !ament of the I3rae!#te3 that 3#)n#f#e3 3tate of he!4!e33ne33, e treme 4a#n an( an)-#3h. In the onte t of th#3 0or%, J-a!#t#e3 thatma%e3 a 0oman mother #3 e8#(ent #n the a o8e te t. 2e#n) 0#th h#!( r#n)3 ho4e,e 4e tat#on of 3ometh#n) )reat, the #rth of a h#!(. 2-t the re8#3e #3 the a3e #n the3#t-at#on of the mother 6er-3a!em. In3tea( of )#8#n) #rth to !#fe, the en( 4ro(- t of the#r

4re)nan * 0a3 a #rth of


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the 3ta)e for 3ometh#n) ne0. A!tho-)h, the 0or( h-r h 0a3 not -3e * 6e3-3 #n thete t, -t #m4!#e(. In 8#e0 of th#3, 6ohn Pa-! II 3a*3, 6e3-3 0#3he3 to (#8ert attent#on fromthe motherhoo( -n(er3too( on!* a3 a f!e3h!* on(, #n or(er to (#re t #t to0ar(3 tho3em*3ter#o-3 on(3 of the 34#r#t 0h# h (e8e!o4 from hear#n) an( %ee4#n) Go(=3 0or(.==9The tea h#n) of Chr#3t of 0ho h#3 mother, rother an( 3#3ter #3 a ra(# a! 3h#ft from 0hat

-3e to e to 3ometh#n) ne0. It #3 a re8o!-t#on. 6e3-3 e ten(3 h#3 fam#!* 3 o4e. He3ho03 a!3o that H#3 0or( reate3 a ne0 fam#!*. An( to e!on) to th#3 ne0 fam#!*, oneha3 to hear, re e#8e the 0or( an( 4-t #t #nto -3e. There #3 )o#n) to e a 3h#ft from h#3nat-ra! fam#!* to the ne0 fam#!* ma(e of the (#3 #4!e3. It tea he3 of the -n#t* of themem er3 of the h-r h #n one han(. On the other han( #t enta#!3 the -n#t* of the h-r han( 6e3-3 Chr#3t. It tran3 en(3 a o8e an( e*on( -!t-ra!, #o!o)# a! an( 3o #a!(#8#3#on, )ro-4#n) an( ate)or#Bat#on of the h-man e#n)3 (-e to )en(er e#ther a3 menor 0omen that (#8#(e3 the h-man e#n)3 an( %e4t them a4art from ea h other. Th#3 ne0mean#n) an( e 4an3#on of motherhoo(, rotherhoo( an( 3#3terhoo( * 6e3-3, f#n(3 #t3rea!#Bat#on #n an( thro-)h the h-r h a3 )ro-4 an( the h-r h a3 that #n(#8#(-a! 4er3on>3?. It )oe3 e*on( that 4art# -!ar h-r h or the other. The term h-r h from th#3

4er34e t#8e mean3 a!! tho3e 0ho hear h#3 0or(, !#3ten to h#3 tea h#n)3 an( 4-t 0hatthe* ha8e !earnt #nto 4ra t# e. It #3 not the #33-e of th#3 4art# -!ar h-r h or the other.

In man* o a3#on3 (-r#n) h#3 !#fe, #t #3 e#ther 6e3-3 or 4eo4!e that #(ent#f* h#m a3r#(e)room. Later the h-r h tho-)ht of h#m a3 the r#(e)room of the 4eo4!e of Go(,

the r#(e." There are #n3tan e3 of 6e3-3< 3e!f #(ent#f# at#on a3 r#(e)room. One of 3- h0a3 h#3 re34on3e to the J-e3t#on on ern#n) h#3 (#3 #4!e3 not fa3t#n) !#%e tho3e of 6ohnthe 2a4t#3t > f. Matt. 1:& ;&9, M%. :&1; '?. Intere3t#n)!*, the a44!# at#on of the

r#(e)room #ma)e to 6e3-3 #3 #nf!-en e( * O!( Te3tament meta4hor that referr to+ah0eh a3 h-3 an( of I3rae!. 1 6e3-3 #3 the me33#an# r#(e)room. Therefore, #t #3-nth#n%a !e to (e!# erate a o-t the r#(e)room 0#tho-t the r#(e. Th-3, an* (#3 -33#ona o-t the r#(e)room 3-))e3t3 the r#(e. Th#3 #n(# ate3 the motherhoo( of the r#(e ;

h-r h. 6ohn the 2a4t#3t #(ent#f#e( h#m a3 the r#(e)room 0hen he 3a#(, *o- *o-r3e!8e3an ear me o-t. I 3a#( I am not Chr#3t I am the one 0ho ha3 een 3ent to )o #n front of

h#m. It #3 the r#(e)room 0ho ha3 the r#(e > f. 6n. /: ";/'?. 6ohn the 2a4t#3tre o)n#Be3 6e3-3 a3 the r#(e)room of the r#(e, 0ho3e name 0a3 not (#3 !o3e(. There#3 no e8#(ent of the a t-a! #(ent#t* of the r#(e. Th#3 !a % of #m4ortant #nformat#on a o-tthe r#(e !ea(3 to (#8er3e on !-3#on3 #n an attem4t to (#3 !o3e the #(ent#t* of the r#(e.Some 3 ho!ar3 an( theo!o)#an3 0o-!( !#%e!* rea( the r#(e #n J-e3t#on to mean the

h-r h. For other3, !#%e Ra*mon( E. 2ro0n, the r#(e #3 the ho-3e of I3rae!. If 0eon3#(ere( #t from the 4er34e t#8e of the era of 6ohn the 2a4t#3t the forer-nner of 6e3-3

Chr#3t, the ho-3e of I3rae! (-r#n) th#3 4er#o( 0a3 #n the 4ro e33 of tran3format#on #ntoe om#n) the r#(e 6e3-3 0#!! ta%e to h#m3e!f. The r#(e #3 a!rea(* there 0a#t#n) for her r#(e)room 6e3-3. If I3rae! or the h-r h #3 the r#(e #t mean3 4ro)re33#on, e 4an3#on

an( #n !-3#on of the 4a3t the >ho-3e of I3rae!? an( the 4re3ent > h-r h? that e!on)3 to%Po&e, ohn Pau+ II, (he Mission of the Church, "ncyc+ica+ @etter, 7ede &toris MaterA, 1$$9, no. 29.

' Preston, Geoffrey O.P, Faces of the Church: Meditations on a Mystery and Its I a!es, "din#ur!h, 1$$%, &. '9.

$ arrin!ton, . anie+, /. ., (he Gos&e+ 8ccordin! to Mar), in (he e ero e i#+e Co entary, edit, #y,7ay ond ". ro n, /. /., et a+, e ersey, Prentice a++, 1$$9, &. 692.

19


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the r#(e)room. Con3eJ-ent!*, #n Matt. :&; The 4ara !e 34ea%3 of a fea3t4re4are( * a %#n) for the 0e((#n) of h#3 3on. The Ne0 Te3tament 0o-!( therefore

r#n) o-t a onne t#on et0een the theo!o)* of $#3(om an( that of the n-4t#a!3 of ther#(e)room 0#th h#3 Ch-r h.==&'

In the 4er# o4e3 of >L% &/:/ Matt. /:/9? 6e3-3 34ea%3 of 6er-3a!em a3 a mother an(4er3on #n a 8er* ne)at#8e 0a* a3 %#!!er of 4ro4het3 3ent to her. He #3 a0are that he 0#!!a!3o meet h#3 (eath #n 6er-3a!em. Ho0e8er, he 3ee3 h#m3e!f 4erfom#n) a mother#n) ro!eof )ather#n) to)ether the h#!(ren the mother 6er-3a!em fa#!e( to (o. Th#3 #3 #nant# #4at#on of h#3 m#33#on to e ont#n-e( after h#3 re3-rre t#on. That 6er-3a!em #3referre( a3 mother here fa!!3 #n the ate)or* of meta4hor -3e to (e3 r# e a nat#on or !an(. $hat (oe3 #t mean to e a r#(e)room an( a r#(e The He re0 0or( for

r#(e)room #3 Hatan, 0h# h mean3 to ma%e a o8enant or 3on;#n;!a0. The 0or( r#(e #nHe re0 #3 @a!!ah mean#n), om4!et#on or 4erfe t#on.&& The r#(e)room 6e3-3 #3 #nmarr#a)e o8enant re!at#on3h#4 0#th h#3 r#(e the h-r h. Norma!!*, #n marr#a)e3#t-at#on3 the t0o 4art#e3 #n8o!8e( om4!ement an( !ea( ea h other to 4erfe t#on. 2-t

#n the onte t of 6e3-3 an( the h-r h, the r#(e)room 3o!e!* #n#t#ate3 an( r#n)3 a o-tthe 4erfe t#on of the r#(e. Th#3 !ea(3 to the 0#3(om an( theo!o)* of the h-r h a3 the2o(* of Chr#3t.

6ohn the 2a4t#3t 4!a*e( 3#)n#f# ant ro!e #n th#3 marr#a)e 3#t-at#on a3 the e3t man of the r#(e)room. A4art from h#3 a t#8e #n8o!8ment #n the 4re4arat#on of the 0e((#n),a or(#n) to the 6e0#3h tra(#t#on, h#3 other r- #a! (-t* #n !-(e3 0#tne33#n) to the

on3-mmat#on of the marr#a)e. $#th re)ar( to the nat-re of the f-n t#on of 6ohn the2a4t#3t, 2o#3mar( 3a#(: 6e3-3 #3 the h-3 an( of the ne0 4eo4!e of Go( an( 6ohn the2a4t#3t #3 h#3 fr#en(, that #3, the 3ho3he #n of the 6e0#3h 0e((#n)3, 0ho3e ro!e 0a3 to4re4are the fe3t#8#t#e3. More 4re #3e!*, he #3 to 4re4are the r#(e * 4-r#f*#n) her an(!ea(#n) her to the r#(e)room. & In her o4#n#on, 2ar#! ma#nta#n3 that, thro-)h the

a4t#3ma! r#te, 6ohn 4re4are3 the omm-n#t* of (#3 #4!e3 >the o!( I3rae!? to 4a33 #nto theCh-r h, that #3, to e ome the r#(e of the one 0ho #3 the r#(e)room. &/ A3 a 34e #a!fr#en( of the r#(e)room, the 2a4t#3t )-#(e( aref-!!* the r#(e >I3rae!? thro-)ho-t thee 4e tat#on an( t#me of 0a#t#n) for the om#n) of the r#(e)room >6e3-3? to ta%e her toh#3 home.& O 8#o-3!*, #n the Go34e! a o-nt3, the r#(a! an( r#(e)room term3 are

ommon. The h-r h 0a3 not !ear!* 4re3ente( a3 mother. In an* a3e, the often r#(a!e 4re33#on of the h-r h #n re!at#on to 6e3-3 Chr#3t 3-))e3t3 the motherhoo( of the19Co+son, ose&h cited in ari+,Gi+#erte, Fe inine Face of the Peo&+e of God: i#+ica+ sy #o+s of the Church as #ride and other, trans+, #y, F+orestine 8udette 7 M, B?, 1$$1, &. '2.

11 .an!e+fire.co su&&er2 redhorse cha&+ain (eachin!s teach12.ht +.


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h-r h.

1 1 + + Pa$l&ne E*&stles

After 6e3-3 Chr#3t, another 4rom#nent 4er3on that ontr# -te( 3o )reat to the(e8e!o4ment an( 34rea( of Chr#3t#an#t* #n h#3tor* #3 Pa-! the A4o3t!e.&5 He 0a3 aneffe t#8e m#33#onar* of h-man 3a!8at#on. Pa-! too% the )o34e! me33a)e of Chr#3t to the)ent#!e 0or!(. H#3 theo!o)* )a8e r#3e to man* theo!o)# a! !#terat-re3. Rea(#n) thro-)hPa-!=3 3e on( !etter to the Cor#nth#an3 one 3ee3 h#3 (e8e!o4ment of the r#(a! an(

r#(e)room theme,> #n a n-4t#a! onte t?. To #n8e3t#)ate on the to4# >the materna! #ma)eof the h-r h from Pa-!#ne 4er34e t#8e?, 0e ta%e !oo% at (#fferent 4er# o4e3 of h#3e4#3t!e3. In one of 3- h 4er# o4e3, the a4o3t!e 3a*3 3ee the ea!o-3* that I fee! for *o- I )a8e *o- a!! #n marr#a)e to a 3#n)!e h-3 an(, a 8#r)#n 4-re for 4re3entat#on toChr#3t. > f. Cor. &&: ; ?. At the en( of h#3 #n3tr- t#8e 0or(3, the a4o3t!e Pa-! ma(e #t

!ear that the


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ha8e een ha44* to 3hare 0#th *o- not on!* the )o34e! of Go(, -t a!3o o-r o0n !#8e3...> f.&Th. :9;"?. In the te t, 0e en o-nter !ear e 4re33#on3 of motherhoo(. He

om4are3 an( 3ee3 h#m3e!f an( fe!!o0 a4o3t!e3 a3 mother3. In Pa-! therefore, 0e 3ee aref!e t#on of the 34#r#t-a! motherhoo( of the h-r h on one han(. On another han(, #t3#)n#f#e3 the #n(#8#(-a! motherhoo( of the hr#3t#an3 to0ar( other3 0h# h #3 34#r#t-a!

a h#e8e( thro-)h a t of mother#n) ro!e.In the !etter to the E4he3#an3 5, Pa-! (ra03 h#3 ana!o)* from the nat-ra! an( -!t-ra!3ett#n) to r#n) to fore the h#((en m*3ter* of the theo!o)* of the re!at#on3h#4 et0eenGo( an( the h-r h. One #(ent#f#e3 the #ma)e of a h-m !e 0#fe an( a ar#n) h-3 an(. Inth#3 a3e Chr#3t #3 the hea( an( r#(e)room of h#3 r#(e the h-r h. Ho0e8er, thefema!e f#)-re3: h-r h an( 0#fe a33-me 3- m#33#8e ro!e. Th#3 #3 one of the man* #33-e3fem#n#3t theo!o)#an3 ar)-e a)a#n3t. The #m4!# at#on 0e an arr#8e at 0#th th#3 a!3o, #3that #n the fam#!* 3ett#n), oth men an( 0omen are a!!e( to e o e(#ent an(3- m#33#8e to Go( an( to ea h other. $e (#3 o8er therefore, that E4he3#an 5 (e4# t3or(er of h-3 an(3 an( 0#8e3 !#8#n) #n Chr#3t#an home3. er3e 5;//, fo -3e3 on Chr#3t=3

!o8e for the h-r h an( the #ma)e of the h-r h a3 h#3 r#(e.&9

2ar#! ar)-e3, that: #n E4he3#an3 5: 5;//, the r#(e of Chr#3t, )#8en a3 a mo(e to 0oman, #3

!ear!* #(ent#f#e( the h-r h #3 3ho0n * the A4o3t!e a3 e#n) on3tant!* 4re3ente( * her 34o-3e to h#m3e!f= thro-)h the !ean3#n) 0ater3 a om4an#e( * 0or(3 0h# h 4ro a !* e8o%e oth the n-4t#a! !ean3#n) of the etrothe(

an( the a4t#3m of the ne0 e!#e8er3: for he 0ante( to 4re3ent the Ch-r h toh#m3e!f #n 34!en(or, 0#tho-t a 34ot or 0r#n%!e or an*th#n) of the %#n(,;*e3, 3othat 3he ma* e ho!* an( 0#tho-t !em#3h.&"

It #3 #m4ortant to 4o#nt o-t that the r#(e #3 a!rea(* ho!*. Her ho!#ne33 3tem3 from the3a r#f# e -n(er0ent * her r#(e)room Chr#3t. Th#3 e ome3 4ermanent thro-)h the

ont#n-o-3 3an t#f# at#on 4ro e33 * mean3 of the 3a rament3 that )#8e3 !#fe to themother h-r h. Th#3 !o8#n) 3e!f;)#8#n) a t of the r#(e)room #3 for the 3a!8at#on of theent#re h-man#t*. The mother h-r h ha3 #t a3 her f-n(amenta! m#33#on to !ea( h-man

e#n)3 on the 4ro e33 of a h#e8#n) the 3tat-3 of 34ot!e33 or 4erfe t#on. Th#3 #3 one of the rea3on3 0h#!e 3he e #3t3 #n the 0or!( to a t-a!#Be the 3an t#f# at#on of h-man e#n)3that 4ortra*3 her materna! nat-re an( f-n t#on. The mother h-r h #3 an( o4erate3 a3

ont#n-o-3 3a rament of Go( #n the 0or!( thro-)h her mother!* m#33#on. Comment#n)on the 3ame #33-e of the on)o#n) 4-r#f# at#on S h!#er 3a*3, On e !e( to Chr#3t *h#m3e!f, a3 h#3 r#(e >#n the )#ft he ma(e of h#m3e!f?, the Ch-r h #3 4re3ente( a3 3- h>that #3 a3 a r#(e? #n ea h a4t#3m. Chr#3t ha3 )#8en h#m3e!f -4 for the 3an t#f# at#on ofthe h-r h #n the 3en3e that he a!0a*3 4re3ent3 the Ch-r h to h#m3e!f a3 h#3 r#(e atthe t#me of the a4t#3m of ea h e!#e8er.&1 In f-rther ana!*3#3 of E4he3#an3 5, Pre3ton1%?o#e+s)i, . Pau+, (he @etter to the "&hesiansA, in (he e ero e i#+ica+ Co entary, edit, #y, 7ay ond, ".

ro n, /./, et a+, e ersey, Prentice a++, 1$$9, &. '$9.

1' ari+, Gi+#erte, o&. cit., &.''.

1$ einric), /ch+ier, er rief an die "&heser ein ?o entar, Pat os


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ma#nta#n3 that, 3ome ommentator3 th#n% that the 0r#ter to the E4he3#an3 3ee3 theCh-r h a3 a!rea(* !ean3e( * Chr#3t, 3o that #t #3 34ot!e33 other3, more 0e#)ht*, ho!(that #t #3 #n 4ro e33 of 4-r#f# at#on, a 4ro e33 fo-n(e( on the fa t that Chr#3t )a8e h#m3e!f -4 for #t. So m- h #n the re3t of the !etter ma%e3 #t !ear that the a-thor %ne0 the Ch-r hto e J-#te erta#n!* not 34ot!e33. '

Theo!o)# a!!*, #f 0e on3#(ere( the fo-n(at#on on 0h# h the r#(e an( mother h-r h #3!a#(, 3he #3 34ot!e33 an( ho!*. Th#3 aff#rm3 0hat 0e 3#n) or re #te #n the Cre(o,Et unamsanctam catholicam. 2-t 0hen 3een thro-)h the a %)ro-n( that the h-r h #3 ma(e of h-man3 a4a !e of fa!ter#n), 3he #3 not f-!!* 34ot!e33. There are 3ome 0r#n%!e3 e a-3eof the (ee(3 of her 3on3 an( (a-)hter3. Thro-)h the 3a rament3 therefore, the r#(ean( mother h-r h a3 S h!#er, 2ar#! an( Pa-! the A4o3t!e 4o#nte( o-t, a h#e8e the

!ean3#n) effe t of h-man e#n)3. Intr#n3# a!!*, the h-r h #3 ho!*. Hen e, the r#(e an(mother h-r h ta%e3 from her nat-re that 0h# h #3 her3 to a h#e8e the !ean#n) of her 3on3 an( (a-)hter3 #n the 0or!(.

1 1 + - Se%on# Lette" of Jo'n 1

$h#!e 0r#t#n) to the Chr#3t#an omm-n#t* #n h#3 3e on( !etter, 6ohn 4re3ent3 -3 0#th 8#8#(#(ea of the matern#t* of the h-r h. He 3a*3, M* )reet#n)3 to the La(*, the ho3en one,an( to her h#!(ren > f. 6n.&?. The f#r3t J-e3t#on #3, 0ho, #3 th#3 !a(*. $hat (oe3 th#30oman f#)-re 3#)n#f#e3 The #nformat#on #3 !-m3*. It #3 )o#n) to )#8e 8er#t* of

on !-3#on3 #n an attem4t to (#3 !o3e the La(* #n referen e. In another 4!a e ho0e8er,he 0r#te3, #t ha3 )#8en me )reat o* to f#n( that h#!(ren of *o-r3 ha8e een !#8#n) the!#fe of tr-th... An( no0 I am a3%#n) *o-;(ear !a(*... >88 ;5?. 6ohn on !-(e3 the

ha4ter th-3, )reet#n)3 to *o- from the h#!(ren of *o-r 3#3ter, the ho3en one= >8 &/?.The 3ame J-e3t#on ra#3e( a o8e 0#th re)ar( to the La(* #3 a44!# a !e to the 3#3ter an(her h#!(ren. $ho are the* an( 0hat (o the* 3tan( for Comment#n) on th#3 2a-r #nter4ret3 the La(*, als ohne Wendung zur keine einzelne Frau, sondern einebesonders hervorzuhebende Gemeinschaft. Herrin konnte eine Land gemeint sein, eineStadt oder auch die B rgerversammlung !ekklesia" einer Stadt . & A)a#n, he 3a*3 that #nden christlichen Bereich Herrin Bedeutet die ganze #irche, eine einzelne Gemeinde

oder sogar ein #irchraum bezeichnet $erden.

The 3t-(* of the 0or( La(* * $o!f)an) 2a-r 0a3 arr#e( o-t #n t0o (#fferent onte t3:3o #a! an( Chr#3t#an. In the 3e on( #tat#on Herr#n a3 La(* 34ea%3 of the h-r h a3mother #n three !e8e!3: a3 the ent#re h-r h, #n(#8#(-a! 4ar#3h h-r h an( a3 0hat 0e a!!#n N#)er#a 3tat#on3 or Bone3. The h-r h #3 a mother #rre34e t#8e of 3#Be an( 4o4-!at#on.Ref!e t#n) on the 3ame te t, 2ar#! ar)-e3, the La(* #3 therefore the Ch-r h, 4o33# !*the -n#8er3a! Ch-r h, -t re3#(#n) tan)# !* #n a 34e #f# !o a!#t*.==/ The -n#8er3a! mother 29Preston, Geoffrey O.P, o&. cit., &. '1.

21 aur, =o+f!an!, 1.2. Bnd 3. ohannes#rief, /tutt!arter ?+einer ?o entar, eues (esta ent .F, 1%, /tutt!art:


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h-r h of 2ar#! #3 !o ate( #n a 34e #f# 4!a e -n%no0n. Pro a !* * th#3 3he mean3 theCh-r h #n Rome. If 3o, then, (oe3 #t mean that the h-r h o-t3#(e Rome #3 not motherHer 4o3#t#on #3 a%#n to the not#on of Fran #3 of A33#3# of the Me(#e8a! 4er#o(. 2-t for 2a-r, the h-r h #3 a mother at 8ar#o-3 !e8e!3, 3#Be an( !o at#on. It #3 on!* #n th#3-n(er3tan(#n) an one 34ea%3 a!3o of the -n#8er3a!#t* of the mother h-r h. On a

3#m#!ar note, De!aha*e ma#nta#ne3 that, * -3#n) th#3 meta4hor, the a-thor mo3terta#n!* refer3 to the omm-n#t* of Chr#3t#an3 on rete!* !#8#n) #n the 0or!(.== A!3o,Cha8a33e note3, ea h Ch-r h >!o a!? #3 the Ch-r h. Ea h Ch-r h #3 the r#(e. +et,there #3 -t one Ch-r h, one r#(e.==5 For Henr# De L- a , the ho3en La(* a((re33e(

* 6ohn #3 no other 4er3on than the Ch-r h. 7 Therefore, 0here8er the h-r h e #3t3,3he #3 the r#(e of Chr#3t an( the mother of Chr#3t#an3. On the 4art of the Chr#3t#an3 an(for the 4eo4!e #n 0ho3e -!t-re 3he e #3t3 an( 0or%3 the h-r h #3 a mother. In th#33#t-at#on, her motherhoo( e ten(3 e*on( her #mme(#ate mem er3 an( #n !-(e tho3eo-t3#(e #n the 0#(er 3o #et* #n the#r o* an( ho4e, the )r#ef an( an)-#3h of the men of o-r t#me... a fee!#n) of (ee4 3o#(ar#t* 0#th h-man ra e an( #t3 h#3tor*. 9 $e ar)-e thenthat the La(* of 6ohn #n the a o8e #!!-3trat#on3 #3 the 8#3# !e mother h-r h on earth.

She #3 not the a 3tra t mother 6er-3a!em a o8e of Pa-!. Rather, the h-r h here onearth that (ea!3 0#th the on rete !#fe 3#t-at#on3 of the 4eo4!e #rre34e t#8e of 0ho the*are or 0hat the* ha8e.

1 1 + . T'e (oo/ of Re0elat&on 1+

Re8e!at#on & #ntro(- e3 three f#)-re3 on the 3 ene. The3e f#)-re3 are, a 0oman, ama!e h#!( an( a fearf-! (an)ero-3 an#ma!, the (ra)on #nter4retate( a!3o a3 the 3ar4entan( the 3atan or (e8#!. The 0oman 0a3 (e orate( 0#th man* #ntere3t#n) hea8en!*3*m o!3 an( the (ra)on a o-t to atta % her an( the h#!( 3he #3 a o-t to ear. $ho #3th#3 La(*. $hat (oe3 3he 3#)n#f#e3 Doe3 3he 3*m o!#Be3 the h-r h 0e are (#3 -33#n)#n th#3 0or% In other to arr#8e at 0ho th#3 La(* #3, #t e ome3 ne e33ar* to (#3 !o3e the#(ent#t* of her h#!(. The h#!( #3 #(ent#f#e( * 3 ho!ar3 a3 6e3-3 Chr#3t. Catho!#theo!o)#an3 #nter4ret the 0oman to e Mar* mother of 6e3-3, 0ho #3 a!3o the ne0 E8e.Other3 3-))e3t that 3he #3 the hea8en!* 6er-3a!em, 4er3on#f#e( 0#3(om, or the h-r h,a!3o 4er3on#f#e( a3 I3rae!." There are -!t-ra! #nf!-en e on th#3 re8e!at#on an( mater#a!

!o3ene33 0#th 4a)an m*th3. 1 One of 3- h 4a)an mater#a! #nf!-en e 0a3 the Gree%m*tho!o)# a! 0ar om at et0een a )o((e33 a!!e( Leto an( a (ra)on %no0n a34*thon. In th#3 m*th the )o((e33 Leto 0a3 4re)nant an( 0a3 4-r3-e( * the (ra)onP*thon. The )o((e33 e3 a4e( to an I3!an( an( )a8e #rth to A4o!!o 0ho !ater %#!!e( the24 e+ahaye, o&. cit., &. 62.

25Cha*asse, C+aude+, @ione+, (he ride of Christ: 8n In uiry into the u&tia+ "+e ent in "ar+y Christianity,

7e+i!ious C+u#, @ondon, 1$49, &.''.26 enri, e @u#ac, o&. cit., &. 46.

2% (he ocu ent of the /econd


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(ra)on. So 0a3 th#3 t*4e of m*th 4re8a!ent #n near!* e8er* Me(#terranean -!t-re. /'$hate8er ha44ene( #n the Re8e!at#on of 6ohn a or(#n) to 3 ho!ar3 there 0a3 #nf!-en eof #(ea3. Hen e, not on!* an #ent Sem#t# reat#on m*th3 -t the Gre o;Roman m*th3a o-t the )o(3 ha8e !eft the#r mar% on a4o a!*4t# #ma)er* of 4re3entat#on #n 0h# h the)o((e33 Roma, J-een of hea8en, ma* ha8e een om #ne( 0#th OT fema!e #on f#)-re

#n 3ha4#n) the #ma)er* of the mother of the Me33#ah #n Re8.& ./&

On another note3 ho!ar3 ha8e ar)-e( that there #3 e!ement of mater#a! a!terat#on of 6o3e4h=3 (ream #nRe8e!at#on & . Perha43 the 8#3#on of Re8e!at#on & #3 a ne0 0a* of re4re3ent#n) thee8ent > f. Gen. /9:1?. Hen e, the 0oman !othe( 0#th the 3-n, ha8#n) the moon -n(er her feet an( on her hea( the ro0n of t0e!8e 3tar3, re4re3ent3 I3rae!, e ho#n) the(ream of 6o3e4h #n Gen. /9:1 0here the3e 3*m o!3 re4re3ent h#3 father >6a o KI3rae!?,h#3 mother, an( h#3 rother3 /

Metho(#-3 a %no0!e()e3 the 0oman a3 o-r mother, 0hom the 4ro4het3 (e3 r# e( 0#thman* name3 a3 6er-3a!em, 2r#(e, Mo-nt #on, Tem4!e an( Ta erna !e. It #3 the Ch-r h0ho3e h#!(ren * a4t#3m 0#!! 30#ft!* ome r-nn#n) to her from a!! 3#(e3 after the

re3-rre t#on.==//

Here #3 a reo -rr#n) 0or(3 an( #(ea3 of the 4ro4het3 of the O!(Te3tament an( that of Ne0 Te3tament. Metho(#-3 #(ent#f#e( the 0oman a3 the mother h-r h a!rea(* 4ref#)-re( #n the O!( Te3tament e#ther a3 6er-3a!em, Mo-nt #on an( 3o

on. On a 3#m#!ar note, Ge#)er A! ert ar)-e3 that %in der biblischen Bilders&racheversinnbildet eine Frau oft eine Gemeinschaft, ein 'olk !vgl. (ochter )ion". So ist auchdiese Himmelsfrau eine s*mbolische Gestalt, ein )eichen.+ / The #(ea of Ge#)er

orre34on(3 0#th the O!( Te3tament 4ro4het3 #(ea3, a3 0e!! a3 the 4o3#t#on ho!( * thefather3 of the h-r h !#%e Metho(#-3 an( 3 ho!ar3 !#%e 2a-r.

Another #ntere3t#n) ar)-ment ho!(3 that, the 0oman #3 not Mar*, or I3rae!, nor theh-r h -t !e33 an( more than a!! of the3e. /5 If the #ma)e #3 none of the3e, then, 0ho or

0hat #3 re4re3ente( here In an effort to (#3 !o3e an( -n(er3tan( the 0oman a34re3ente( #n Re8e!at#on & )a8e r#3e to man* (#fferent an( 3#m#!ar #nter4retat#on3.Chr#3t#an3 an( Catho!# 3 e34e #a!!* ten( to0ar(3 the 4o3#t#on that the 0oman #3 themother h-r h.The 0oman 0#th a!! the hea8en!* mater#a!3 3#)n#f#e( the tr#-m4he(mother h-r h #n hea8en, the hea8en!* 6er-3a!em of Pa-! an( 3ome father3 of the

h-r h. That #3, a h-r h #n her f-!! )!or*. In th#3 3tate 3he #3 -n#te( 0#th her (#8#ne39 esus and the Church in 7e*e+ation 12A .!ci.or! #i#+e re* ;esuschurch.


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r#(e)room. The 3*m o! of the 0oman 0a3 -3e( * the a-thor 6ohn to omm-n# ateon rete an( a 3tra t rea!#t#e3 of the m*3ter* a o-t the mother h-r h. For Ra*mon(

2ro0n, the 0oman ma* 3*m o!#Be I3rae! )#8#n) #rth to the Me33#ah a3 0e!! a3 theh-r h an( her h#!(ren #n the 0#!(erne33 -n(er Satan# atta % after the Me33#ah ha3een ta%en -4 to hea8en. /7 A !ear fa t a o-t th#3 0oman #ma)e #3 that, #t #3 a meta4hor

or 3*m o! 0#th 0#(e ran)e of onte t, ontent an( mean#n)3. Th#3 a ent-ate3 thenot#on Ra*mon( 2ro0n 4-t3 for0ar(, that 3*m o!3 are 4o!*8a!ent an( th#3 #3 !ear 0#ththe 0oman #ma)e of 6ohn. In 34#te of the (#fferent 4o3#t#on3 of 3 ho!ar3 a o8e, 0e(e(- t#8e!* ar)-e that, #n the 0oman 3*m o! of 6ohn4re)nant? an( )#8#n) of #rth. The3e are the 3ame 0#ththe mother h-r h. She on e#8e3 an( ear3 hr#3t#an3 the h#!(ren of Go(.

Con3#(er#n) the e!ement3 aro-n( the 0oman, 0e 3ee a m# t-re of hea8en!* )a!a #e3 of !#)ht3: 3-n, moon an( 3tar3 a3 ro0n an( earth!* !#8#n) reat-re the (ra)on the enem*.Ea h 3*m o!#Be3 one th#n) or the other that a((3 more mean#n) to the -n(er3tan(#n) of the te t. 2* #m4!# at#on, a!! the3e e!ement3 aro-n( the 0oman a44!* to the mother

h-r h. $hat 0e 3ee here a3 !#)ht #3 J-#te (#fferent from or(#nar* !#)ht. The !#)ht 3#)n#f#e3the )!or* of Go(. Th#3 4re3-44o3e3 that the mother h-r h #3 the earer of Chr#3t=3 !#)htthat (#34e!3 (ar%ne33 #n the 0or!(. It #3 a f-n(amenta! f-n t#on of the mother h-r h to!ea( h-man#t* on the 0a* to the Father * her ra(#at#on of the !#)ht, Chr#3t #n the 0or!(.

A)a#n, the !#)ht enta#!3 that the mother h-r h #3 e8er at the 4re3en e of her (#8#ner#(e)room. Therefore, the h-r h 3hare3 #n the )!or* of Chr#3t. The ro0n 0#th t0e!8e

3tar3 3*m o!#Be( the t0e!8e tr# e3 of I3rae! of the O!(. In the Ne0 Te3tament the3et0e!8e 3tar3 0ere 3een a3 the t0e!8e (#3 #4!e3 of the ne0 omm-n#t* of Go( thro-)hChr#3t. The 3tar3 mean the n-mera !e mem er3 of the h-r h tho-)h re4re3ente( 0#ththe f#)-re t0e!8e. A!3o, 3ome 3 ho!ar3 3ee the ro0n a3 a 3*m o! of 3- e33 an(8# tor*/9 o8er tr#a!3 an( tr# -!at#on3. A o-t the 3*m o! of the moon, Ge#)er 3a#(,% .uber dem mond, dem Sinnbild der -nbest ndigkeit und dem alten S*mbol der m tterlichen Frau, da/ sie als ber$eltliche Frau erhaben und unver nderlich ber der irdischen Wandelbarkeit steht.+ /" Metho(#-3, refer3 to the moon a3 the fa#th of the4-r#f#e( * a4t#3m, hen e the Ch-r h 3tan(3 on o-r fa#th an( o-r a(o4t#on !a o-r#n)an( r#n)#n) nat-ra! men a3 34#r#t-a! men an( -n(er th#3 a34e t #3 3he #n(ee( the#r mother.==/1

1 1 + T'e boo/ of Re0elat&on 12

Effort to -n(er3tan( the #ma)e of the 0oman #n 6ohn


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the #(ea of the e!#e8er3 e#n) fa#thf-! to the 4o#nt of )#8#n) the 3-4reme te3t#mon*, a f#(e!#t* * 0h# h the 8# tor* of Go( #3 e 4re33e( #n the#r !#8e3, #3 a((e(. The effe t#8e tran3f#)-rat#on of the mem er3, an effe t of the )#ft of Go( -t a!3o, at another !e8e!, of the a t#8e f#(e!#t* of the e!#e8er3,

on3t#t-te3 the )reat h#3tor# a! 4re4arat#on of the r#(e for the e3 hato!o)# a! n-4t#a!3. '

There #3 a 4ara(#)m 3h#ft #n 0or(3 an( 3 ene of e8ent. The #ma)e of a r#(e an(r#(e)room #n a n-4t#a! -n#on #n hea8en ta%e3 the 3ta)e of 6ohn=3 Re8e!at#on.

Therefore, the theme of marr#a)e 3tem3 from the OT > f. Ho3. :&; 5 / I3a. 5 : ;"EBe%. &7; 3omet#me3 #n the onte t3 of -nfa#thf-!ne33?. No0 #t ha3 een 3h#fte( to Chr#3tan( the e!#e8er3 >6n./: 1 II Cor.&&: E4h.5: /;/ ?.&

The o -rren e of the n-4t#a! mot#f #n oth Te3tament3 3ho03 ho0 rea(* the ear!*Chr#3t#an3 a44ro4r#ate( #t to e 4re33 a h#((en m*3ter* of the h-r h. There #3 ont#n-#t*

an( ontra3t et0een the r#(e #n th#3 ha4ter an( the 0oman #n ha4ter & a!rea(*(#3 -33e(. It3 ont#n-#t* !#e3 #n the fa t that #t #3 3t#!! the 3ame 0oman that #3 e#n)re4re3ente( an( referre( to. In ontra3t, ha4ter & 4re3ent3 efore -3 a 0oman 0#th a

h#!( that #n(# ate3 that the 0oman #3 a mother. $h#!e #n ha4ter &1 0e en o-nter ar#(e, a *o-n) 0oman a o-t to e )#8en #nto marr#a)e. In ha4ter & #t #3 a 0oman 0#th

a h#!( een ha!!en)e( an( atta %e( * the (e8#!. 2-t #n &1 #t #3 a fe3t#8e 3#t-at#on of 0e((#n). The 4# t-re of the 8#3#on of ha4ter &1:9 #3 th-3, the f#na! -n#on of the h-r h toher (#8#ne r#(e)room Chr#3t. 0hristus ist der Br utigam und die Gemeinde seiner Getreuen die Braut, ein Bild der innigsten, unaufl1slichen Gemeinschaft. It #3 not theJ-e3t#on of an #n(#8#(-a! Chr#3t#an, -t the omm-n#t* of the Chr#3t#an 4eo4!e. In th#3

a3e oth the r#(e an( the 0oman 0#th a ma!e h#!( are to e -n(er3too( a3 3#)n#f*#n)das 'olk Gottes das durch das 0hristusereignis zum $ahren 'olk Gottes $urde. 2ie

#irche als das endzeitliche 'olk Gottes hat sich bereit gemacht, um mit christusHochzeit zu feiern. /

Intere3t#n)!* eno-)h, #n the Ne0 Te3tament 2# !e, the r#(e #ma)e of the h-r h #3 m- h!ear. $hat (oe3 th#3 mean3. It #m4!#e3 that oth 8#r)#n an( r#(e mot#f3 are #nter0o8en

#n 34ea%#n) of the h-r h a3 mother. The mother, r#(e an( 8#r)#n 3*m o!3 re3o!8e o#nt!* the ten3#on #n the (e3 r#4t#on of the h-r h. Th#3 #nherent ten3#on !#e3 0#th#n the!e8e! of 8#3# !e >h-man? an( #n8#3# !e >(#8#ne? nat-re of the h-r h. That #3, the h-r h #nthe 4re3en e. The h-r h that !#8e3 an( e #3t3 #n the 0or!(. In other 0or(, the h-r hthat #3 t#me;34a e o-n( #n h-man -!t-re3 an( 3o #et*. The h-r h that 3-ffer3,49 ari+, Gi+#erte, o&. cit., &. $' $$.

41 7ay ond " ro n, o&. cit., & %$4.

42 Gei!er, 8+#ert, o&. cit., & $5

43 Giesen, ein0, o&. cit., & 146. 8s a eans of further e>&+anation of hat the author eant #y ta)en recourse tocha&ter 12:13 1%, he said, dort ird nH +ich die ?irche nicht einfach it den Christen identifi0iert. ur die ?ircheist *or den 8nsch+H!e des /atans !esch t0, nicht a#er die ein0e+nen, die sich #e Hhren ssen. In *ers % istde nach die Frau die ?irche, &. 14%

1'


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4er3e -te(, hate an( !o8e(. It #3 #n th#3 3#t-at#on an( onte t that the mother #ma)e of the h-r h 0#th a!! her hara ter#3t# 3 an( nat-re ome3 to !#me!#)ht. The r#(e #ma)eref!e t3 an( 4ortra*3 the other nat-re of the 3ame h-r h. The h-r h a3 r#(e a0a#t3for the e3 hato!o)* #n 0h# h the f#na! -n#on 0#th her r#(e)room 0#!! e on3-mmate(.She !#8e3 #n the era of tota! om4!et#on an( 4erfe t#on 0#th her r#(e)room. It #3

#m4ortant to 4o#nt o-t that, there 0a3 no (#3 -33#on of rea! h-3 an( an( 0#fe 3e -a!a t#8#t* et0een 6e3-3 Chr#3t the r#(e)room an( the h-r h h#3 r#(e. Th-3, oth ne8er #n an* form or attem4t (#3 har)e( th#3 r- #a! h-3 an( an( 0#fe re34on3# #!#t*. The3*m o! therefore, f!a03 the nat-ra! 4ro e33 of 3e -a! on( of man an( 0oman #n mar#ta!-n#on. The a44ro4r#at#on of th#3 mot#f hen e tran3 en(3 the nat-ra! 3e )en(er3 0#th #t3#nherent 3e -a! a t#on3 et0een t0o o44o3#te 3e . Th-3, +ah0eh;S4o-3e or 6e3-3;2r#(e)room #ma)e (oe3 not 3tre33 3e -a! (#fferen e3 -t #nt#mate, o*f-! an( fr-#tf-!-n#on of a!! 4er3on3 #t re3t3 #n the 43* ho!o)# a! om4!e #t* of ma3 -!#ne an( fem#n#ne)en(er3 #n e8er*one, ...

In rea!#t* ho0e8er, #3 #t 4o33# !e for (#8#n#t* an( h-man#t* to enter #nto marr#a)e

re!at#on3h#4 the 0a* h-man3 -n(er3too( #t $hat 2#33 ho43 Ra!4h 3a#( #3 4!a-3# !ehere a3 I3rae! #3 not a 0#fe an( Go( #3 not a h-3 an(. 5 Th#3 #3 a 8er* om4!e3#t-at#on a3e( on the #r -m3tan e3 of (#fferen e3 that 3-rro-n( the #33-e, e a-3e,there #3 no om4at# #!#t* here. The a-3e of the 3eem#n)!* #n om4at# #!#t* #3: the

or4orate nat-re of I3rae!, an( the #n or4orea!#t* of +ah0eh. 7 Go( #3 not man 0hoen)a)e3 #n 3e -a! re!at#on3h#4 #n mar#ta! -n#on. There are o 3er8a !e om4!e #t#e3 an(mo(-!at#on3 that a om4an#e3 the #ma)e for #n3tan e, Go(K6e3-3 Chr#3t a3 mother an(

r#(e)room an( I3rae!K h-r h a3 0#fe, r#(e, mother, an( 3o on. The h-r h a33-me3the #ma)e of mother, 8#r)#n an( r#(e. Th#3 meta4hor a44ear3 #n 4a#r3 of fatherKmother,h-3 an(K0#fe, r#(eK r#(e)room an( h#!(ren a3 3on3K(a-)hter3. It #3 !ear that 34ea%#n)of the h-r h a3 mother annot e om4!ete 0#tho-t the r#(a! a34e t. D#3 -33#n) of the

h-r h a3 mother a ent-ate3 the r#(a! an( 8#r)#na! #ma)e3. 2oth ecclesial #ma)e3e!on) to)ether #n the (#3 -33#on of the h-r h. L#tera!!*, there #3 3eem#n)!* 4ara(o # a!

mo(e of 4ro)re33 an( (e8e!o4ment #n th#3 re)ar(. Hen e, the Ch-r h a3 0oman,0hether a3 )#r! or r#(e or 0#fe or mother or 0#(o0, #3 an #ma)e roote( #n the O!(Te3tament an( f#n(#n) ne0 !#fe #n the ne0. 9 $#th the3e Ne0 Te3tament # !# a! #n3#)ht3,0e an 3a* that the h-r h a3 mater #3 e8#(ent #n the 3 r#4t-ra! ar h#8e3 of the 2# !e,0h# h a ent-ate3 the not#on that, the motherhoo( of the Ch-r h (er#8e3 from the0ho!e of Ne0 Te3tament tea h#n).== "

44 Carro++ /tuh+ ue++er, ride!roo : 8 i#+ica+ /y #o+ of Bnion, not /e&arationA, Fro =o en Priest, 8r+ene/ id+er and @eonard / id+er, Eeds. , Pau+ist Press 1$%%, &&. 2%' 2'3, cf.htt&: .catherineco++e!e+i#rary.net c+assic stuh+ 4.as&.


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1 + T'e C'$"%' as Mot'e" &n t'e ,"&t&n3s of t'e Fat'e"s of t'e C'$"%'

H#3tor# a!!*, the referen e of the h-r h a3 mother (oe3 not a44ear #n the ear!* 3ta)e !#feof the h-r h. The h-r h a3 mother ma(e #t3 f#r3t a44earan e #n h#3tor* !ate 3e on(

ent-r*. In the a4o!o)et# 0or%3 of the 3e on( ent-r* there 0a3 no ment#on of 3- h

a44e!!at#on of the h-r h a3 mother.1

De!aha*e ma(e the 3ame o 3er8at#on3 an(ma#nta#n3 that #n the 0or%3 of Tert-!!#an: A( Nat#one3 an( A4o!o)et# -m an( tho3e of Or#)en: Contra Ce!3-m an( De Pr#n #4##35' the materna! #ma)e ne8er a44eare( #n the(#3 -33#on a o-t the h-r h. Another 3o-r e ho!(3 that mater e !e3#a a3 t#t!e for the

h-r h ne8er a44ear3 #n the 4atr#3t# 0r#t#n)3 -nt#! ear!* th#r( ent-r*.5& $hate8er ha44ene( ho0e8er, #3 at erta#n 4er#o( #n h#3tor*, the a44e!!at#on of the materna! #ma)e

e ame freJ-ent!* -3e( #n the (#3 -33#on of the or#)#n, m#33#on an( mem er3h#4 of theh-r h.

A or(#n) to P!-m4e, the term MQƞƿ Ἐ ƞ VW >Mother Ch-r h? 0a3 a!rea(* #n -3e #n A3#a M#nor, #n(e4en(ent of S r#4t-re #tat#on at !ea3t the f-!! 4o4-!ar 4er3on#f# at#on 0a3

#n the a#r 0e!! efore the m#((!e of the 3e on( ent-r*.5 E8en efore th#3 #ma)e f#n(3#t3 4!a e 0#th#n the Chr#3t#an onte t #t 0a3 a!rea(* #n -3e. $#th#n the3e era, the #ma)e)a#ne( 4o4-!a e amon) the mem er3 of the ear!* Chr#3t#an omm-n#t#e3. The # !# a!fo-n(at#on an( re!at#on of the matern#t* of the h-r h e)an 0#th the father3 of the

h-r h. S4ea%#n) of the 4!a e of or#)#n or (e8e!o4ment of th#3 #ma)e of the h-r h,P!-m4e 3a*3, 0h#!e the or#)#n of th#3 f#)-rat#8e -3a)e ma* o0e to the Or#ent, *et, #t

annot e a!!e( t*4# a!!* Or#enta! or Afr# an: #t o -r3 a3 a ommon4!a e 0#th the4atr#3t# 0r#ter3 e8er*0here.5/ Th#3 4o3#t#on o-!( e 8#e0e( a3 a (en#a! of fa t. The3*m o!# #ma)e of the h-r h a3 mother m-3t ha8e een f#r3t or#)#nate( an( (e8e!o4e(0#th#n a 4art# -!ar 4!a e. Then, from th#3 4!a e 34rea(3 o-t to the 4o#nt of e#n) a

ommon on e4t a e4te( an( )enera!!* -3e(. The #ma)e 0a3 a ommon meta4hor# a!8o a -!ar* -3e( * the ma or#t* of the 4atr#3t# father3 #n 34ea%#n) an( e 4!a#n#n) of them*3ter* of the h-r h. Another 3 ho!ar o 3er8e3 that the mother #ma)e -3e( #n referr#n)to the h-r h a44ear3 freJ-ent!* an( 34ontane#t* , >#n(# at#n)? that the 4ra t# e ha(entere( the ma#n3tream of tra(#t#on 0e!! efore the !o3e of the 3e on( ent-r*. 5 $e

e)#n o-r #n8e3t#)at#on f#r3t * !oo%#n) at the 3#t-at#on of the h-r h #n the ear!* 4er#o(3.4' enri, e @u#ac, (he Motherhood of (he Church, trans+, #y, /r. /er!ia "n!+und, O. C. . /an Francisco, 1$'2, &.49.

4$ P+u &e, C. ose&h, Mater "cc+esia: 8n In uiry into the Conce&t of the Church as Mother in "ar+y Christianity,edit, #y ohannes Kuasten, =ashin!ton . C, (he Bni*ersity of 8 erica Press, 1$43, &. 35.

59 e+ahaye, ?. o&. cit., &&. %4 and 116.

51 .etd.+i#rary.*ander#i+t.edu a*ai+a#+e etd 93242911 195%9' unrestricted te>t 8&&endi> i#+io!ra&hy.&df.ua+ity and 8uthority in the Catho+ic Church, Bni*ersity of /cranton Press, eDor), 1$$5, &. 142.

29

http://www.etd.library.vanderbilt.edu/available/etd-03242011-105708/unrestricted/text-Appendix-Bibliography.pdfhttp://www.etd.library.vanderbilt.edu/available/etd-03242011-105708/unrestricted/text-Appendix-Bibliography.pdf


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After that, 0e #n8e3t#)ate the (e8e!o4ment an( -3a)e of the materna! #ma)e of theh-r h #n h#3tor* from the 4atr#3t# father3 thro-)h the me(#e8a! 4er#o( to the mo(ern

era.

1 + 1 C'"&st&an&t4 &n ea"l4 Cent$"4

It #3 ne e33ar* to !oo% r#ef!* on the 3#t-at#on an( en8#ronment of Chr#3t#an3 (-r#n) theear!* ent-r* that ontr# -te( #mmen3e!* #n the (e8e!o4ment, -3a)e an( -n(er3tan(#n)of the h-r h a3 mother. 2e)#nn#n) 0#th the 4er#o( of 6e3-3 Chr#3t an( h#3 f#r3t 3et of

A4o3t!e3, the omm-n#t* e 4er#en e( 4er3e -t#on3. 2orn a 6e0, 6e3-3 !#8e( 0hen theRoman em4#re 0a3 the r-!#n) a-thor#t* of the 0or!(. Thro-)ho-t h#3 !#fe t#me he 0or%e(man* m#ra !e3 an( 3-mme( -4 h#3 tea h#n) to one 3#n)!e (o tr#ne of, the -n#8er3a!!o8e. Th#3 4r#n #4a! 8a!-e #3 to )-#(e h-man e#n)3 #n t0o 0a*3 of (ea!#n) 0#th oneanother an( #n re!at#on to Go(. H#3 tea h#n)3 ontra(# te( 0hat the 4o!#t# a! an(re!#)#o-3 !ea(er3 of h#3 t#me ho!(. Th#3 !e( to h#3 4er3e -t#on an( e e -t#on that

-!m#nate3 to h#3 (eath on the ro33.55 After h#3 (eath, fear )r#44e( the A4o3t!e3. 2-t h#3Re3-rre t#on -3here( #n a ne0 (a0n of ho4e. A e)#nn#n) that 3#)n#f#e3 ne0 3tart #n

ont#n-#t* 0#th the 4rea h#n) an( 4!ant#n) of the Chr#3t#an fa#th. A han)e of att#t-(e onthe 4art of the A4o3t!e3 0ho from the moment of the Pente o3t on0ar( e ame(#fferent. From h#(#n) an( fear to e om#n) o-ra)eo-3, o!( an( ra(# a! e8an)e!#Ber3#n the m#33#on of Chr#3t. Ho0e8er, th#n)3 0ere not ea3* for them. The3e ear!* fo!!o0er3e 4er#en e( !#%e the#r Ma3ter 6e3-3 Chr#3t 4er3e -t#on. For #n3tan e, the (ea on St.Ste4hen f. A t3 7:"? (eath 3er8e3 a3 a 3#)na! for the #m4en(#n) 4er3e -t#on3 of the

h-r h at 6er-3a!em. The 4o0erf-! 4rea her of the Gent#!e3 Pa-! a3 Sa-! ham4#one(the 4er3e -t#on of the #nfant h-r h of Chr#3t efore h#3 on8er3#on. Em4eror Nero #n 7f-rther 4re4are( the atmo34here that !e( to the 4er3e -t#on of the Roman Chr#3t#an3 hea -3e( of -rn#n) the #t*. 2* th#3, he t-rne( the 4- !# a)a#n3t the Chr#3t#an3. Theother a -3at#on3 a)a#n3t Chr#3t#an3 #n !-(e, that the* are athe#3t3, e a-3e, the*ref-3e( to 0or3h#4 the Roman )o(3 an( )o((e33e3. The* 0ere 3een a3 tra#tor3 *ref-3#n) to o e* the em4eror a3 a )o(. 57

The an #ent era of the h-r h 0a3 hara ter#Be( 0#th 4er3e -t#on3 of Chr#3t#an3 #n(#fferent 4art3 of the then 0or!( #n !-(#n) the then Afr# a. 2-t the f#r3t J-e3t#on 3ho-!(

e, ho0 (#( Chr#3t#an#t* entere( North Afr# a In 0r#t#n) a o-t 3ome of the #t#e3 of North Afr# a then, 3ome Chr#3t#an h#3tor#an3 4ro8#(e an30er3 to the J-e3t#on. One of the4rom#nent #t#e3 (#3 -33e( 0a3 Cartha)e.59 The3e S ho!ar3 ho!( that after Rome the

#t* of Cartha)e #3 ne t #n area3 of 4o4-!at#on, 3#Be an( 0ea!th. +et, there #3 a!0a*3om4et#t#on for 3e on( 4!a e et0een Cartha)e an( A!e an(r#a #n E)*4t. 5" To (#3 -33

the e)#nn#n) of Chr#3t#an#t* #n th#3 re)#on #3 a (#ff# -!t one. Th#3 #3 a3 a re3-!t ofo 3 -r#t* or !a % of #nformat#on. 2e a-3e of th#3 -n erta#nt*, Chr#3t#an h#3tor#an3< #(ea355 ona+d, F. @o!an, 8 istory of the Church in the Midd+e 8!es, @ondon, 7out+ed!e, 2992, &. 3.

56 ona+d, F. @on!an, i#id, &. '.

5% =ar in!ton, . er#ert, Cartha!e, @ondon, 7o#ert a+e, 1$69.

5' erodian, istory of the " &ire fro the ti e of Marcus 8ure+ius, trans+, #y, =hitta)er, C. 7., @C@, 1$%9, &.


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(#ffer on ho0 an( 0hen Chr#3t#an#t* a44eare( #n North Afr# a. A or(#n) to $. H. C.Fren(, the North Afr# a Ch-r h


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(ef#ne( th#3 h-r h a3 the Ch-r h of mart*r3,77 0h#!e #t3 h#3tor* #3 8#e0e( a3 the h#3tor*of mart*r(om. 79 Th-3, th#3 era 4ro(- e( 3o man* mart*r3 of the h-r h #n h#3tor*.

It #3 8er* #m4ortant to 4o#nt o-t that, 4er3e -t#on of the h-r h 0a3 not on!* #n North Afr# a. Other 4art3 of the 0or!( at the ear!* ent-r#e3 of the h-r h 0ere not e em4te(

from Chr#3t#an3 een 4er3e -te(.7"

The )!an e #nto the h#3tor* of the h-r h, 3ho03that 4er3e -t#on ha3 een 4art of the h-r h. Chr#3t#an3 0ere 4e3e -te( for 0hat the*e!#e8e on, an( the#r ref-3a! not to (o that 0h# h the then Roman a-thor#t* 0ante( them

(o. 71 Tho-)h, at th#3 4er#o(, the 4er3e -t#on 0a3 34ora(# a3 #t o -re( #n Rome, ne t #n A!e an(r#a or Cartha)e #n North Afr# a an( at other t#me #n Sm*rna A3#a m#nor. For #n3tan e #n Ga-! Chr#3t#an3 0ere 4er3e -te(. S ho!ar3 3-))e3t that #n th#3 4!a e, the!ea(er3h#4 of the h-r h 0ere 4erha43 e e -te( a!on)3#(e 0#th the mem er3. Th#3a or(#n) to 3ome of them (#fferent#ate3 0hat ha44ene( #n North Afr# an h-r h an(that of the h-r h #n Ga-!.9'

$e ha8e 3een ho0 the h-r h #n )enera! 0a3 4er3e -te( * the then r-!#n) a-thor#t#e3.

Not0#th3tan(#n), there 0ere #nterna! r#3#3 a3 a re3-!t of (#fferent #(ea3 an( !a#m3)ro-43 ha8e a o-t the h-r h. Th#3 )a8e #rth to the (e8e!o4ment of ten3#on et0eenthe 8ar#o-3 )ro-43 that ma%e !a#m o8er the h-r h. The* en)a)e( #n #33-e3 !#%e: 0hat#3 the h-r h, 0ho #3 0#th the h-r h, 0hat on3t#t-te3 the h-r h, 0hat #3 the tr-e 3#)nor mar% of the h-r h, the -n#t*, 0h# h )ro-4 4o33e33e( the Ho!* S4#r#t an( ho0 to !#8e

hr#3t#an !#fe. A!! the3e #33-e3 re8o!8e aro-n( the J-e3t#on of #(ent#t*, or#)#n,mem er3h#4, nat-re an( m#33#on that ma%e3 the hr#3t#an h-r h o-t3tan(#n) from other re!#)#on3, -!t-ra! an( 3o #a! #n3t#t-t#on3 or )ro-43 at the ear!* ent-r#e3 #n h#3tor*. Theear!* 3ta)e of the h-r h #n h#3tor* #3 th-3 hara ter#Be( 0#th ten3#on an( r#3#3. De34#tethe 3eem#n)!* a !a#me( re!at#8e 4ea e, the h-r h of the !ate 3e on( ent-r* thro-)hthe th#r( ent-r* 3-ffere( )reat heat of 4re33-re3 emanat#n) e#ther from the ho3t#!e3e -!ar Roman a-thor#t* ho!(er3, or from the 3 h#3mat# an( heret# a! )ro-43 from0#th#n. The3e reate( a on(#t#on for a ont#n-a! #n8e3t#)at#on, (#3 -33#on, (ef#n#t#on an(re(ef#n#t#on of the h-r h. It #3 #n the3e ten3e( 3#t-at#on3 an( en8#ronment that, theref!e t#on3 a o-t the materna! #ma)e 0a3 -3e( #n the (#3 -33#on of the h-r h * thefather3 from the !ate 3e on( ent-r* an( ear!* th#r( ent-r* on0ar(.

1 + 1 1 TERTULLIAN 15!6++! AD

Tert-!!#an 0a3 orn #n Cartha)e, the mo(ern nat#on T-n#3#a !o ate( at the Me(#terraneanoa3t of North Afr# a. He 0a3 orn #nto a tra(#t#ona! fam#!* an( e ame !ater a on8ert to

65 a*id, 7an)in, o&. cit., &&. 12 14.

66

=. . C. Frend, o&. cit., &. 1536% a*id, 7an)in, o&. cit., &. 19.

6' Cf, (i++ey, 8. Maureen, o&. cit., &. 29.

6$ Phinto, =i+son, 8 #rief istory of Catho+ic Church in: .s+ideshare.net &hinto a #rief history of catho+icchurch.


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Chr#3t#an#t* at h#3 a(-!t a)e.9& He 0a3 one of the Lat#n Ch-r h Father3. Tert-!!#an 3t-(#e(rhetor# an( !a0. D-r#n) h#3 4er#o(, Chr#3t#an#t* 0a3 3er#o-3!* affe te( * fa!3etea h#n)3 #n the then North Afr# a. De34#te the fa t that Chr#3t#an#t* f!o-r#3he( #n thean #ent 4er#o( #n North Afr# a, #t #3 -nfort-nate that at 4re3ent th#3 4art of Afr# a #3(om#nate( * I3!am# Re!#)#on. Chr#3t#an3 are the m#nor#t* 4o4-!at#on. The North Afr# an

h-r h of the !ate 3e on( an( ear!* th#r( ent-r#e3 0a3 4er8a(e( * #nterna! ten3#on3 a3re3-!t of 8ar#o-3 an( (#fferent -n(er3tan(#n) of Chr#3t#an#t* or#)#nat#n) from (#fferent3e t3. E terna!!*, the h-r h an( #t3 mem er3 3-ffere( 4er3e -t#on3 from the !o a!a-thor#t#e3. Tert-!!#an (efen(e( the h-r h from the fo!!o0#n)3: Gno3t# , Mar #on#te3,Monar h#an3, 6e03, Pa)an3, Gree% 4h#!o3o4her3 an( arna! forma!#3t# Chr#3t#an3.9H#3 theo!o)# a! 0or%3 re or(e( h-)e 3- e33 #n (efen(#n) the fa#th.

The h-r h he 0or%e( #n an( for o-!( e e3t (e3 r# e( a3 a h-r h e3#e)e( 0#thr#3#3 from ontro8er3* #n North Afr# a. Tert-!!#an 3a0 the nee( for ont#n-a! effort3 to

(#3 -33 the nat-re of the h-r h an( #t3 mem er3h#4. H#3tor# a!!*, 3 ho!ar3 atte3t to thefa t that efore the en( of the 3e on( ent-r* oth #n the $e3t an( Ea3t that there #3

no e8#(en e of a !ear!* (ef#ne( e !e3#o!o)*. That #3, there 0a3 no oherent an(om4rehen3#8e (o tr#ne of the h-r h. Th#3 3-))e3t3 that, efore the en( of 3e on(ent-r* 4er#o(, the e #3ten e an( nat-re of the h-r h 0ere ta%en for )rante(. No

Chr#3t#an 0r#ter efore Tert-!!#an 4a#( attent#on to #33-e !#%e the e33ent#a! 3#)n3 of theh-r h.9/ De34#te h#3 ontr# -t#on3, Tert-!!#an 0a3 3een a3 a 3 h#3mat# an( an

-nre!#a !e ontr# -tor to theo!o)# a! (e ate #n an* for-m. Other3 e8en (en#e( h#m3#)n#f# ant 4atr#3t# 3tat-e3 an( 3o on.9 It #3 e a-3e of th#3 (en#a!, that !e( 3 ho!ar3 #ntore ent #n8e3t#)at#on3 #n the 0or%3 of Tert-!!#an.

1 + 1 + Te"t$ll&an7s $n#e"stan#&n3 of t'e C'$"%' as Mot'e"

Tert-!!#an -3e( man* e !e3#o!o)# a! #ma)e3 #n h#3 (#3 -33#on a o-t the (o tr#ne of theh-r h.95 One of 3- h #ma)e3 #3 the materna! #ma)e. For Tert-!!#an, the tr-e 3#)n3 of theh-r h are a4o3to!# #t*, ho!#ne33 an( -n#t*.97 The #ma)e of the h-r h a3 mother 4!a*e(

3#)n#f# ant ro!e #n h#3 (emon3trat#on of the nat-re of the h-r h an( e 4!anat#on on ho0h-man e#n)3 e ome mem er3 of the h-r h. In or(er to -n(er3tan( the -3a)e of th#3#ma)e * Tert-!!#an, therefore, 0e re3ort to 3ome of h#3 0or%3. P!-m4e C. 6o3e4h 99 an(Da8#( Ran%#n9" #(ent#f#e( that efore Tert-!!#an, the -n(er3tan(#n) of the h-r h a3%1 "ncyc+o&edia ritannica, (ertu++ianA, Christian (heo+o!ian.

.#ritannica.co 6 chec)ed to&ic 5''511 (ertu++ian.


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mother 0a3 a!rea(* #n #r -!at#on. A!! the 3ame, the -3a)e * Tert-!!#an 8ar#e3 from oneonte t-a! 3#t-at#on to another. It 0a3 #n one of the3e 3#t-at#on3 for e am4!e #n h#3ate het# a! 0r#t#n)3 that the Mater E !e3#a #3 #ntro(- e(..., (-r#n) 0h# h *ear3 he 0a3

o -4#e( a3 a ate h#3t of ate h-men3 at Cartha)e.==91 The f#r3t on8ert3 to Catho!#fa#th (-r#n) the ear!* 4er#o(3 0ere ma#n!* a(-!t3. The3e 0ere ate h#Be( on the fa#th

an( (o tr#ne of the h-r h. After 3ome 4er#o(3 of t#me, the* re e#8e the 3a rament of #n#t#at#on3: a4t#3m an( the E- har#3t."' In h#m therefore, the mother h-r h(emon3trate her materna! J-a!#t* thro-)h ate het# a! #n3tr- t#on3. 2e#n) there for the

ate h-men3 to )-#(e, to e(- ate an( to #n3tr- t them on the Chr#3t#an 0a* of !#fe the*are a o-t to em ra3e.

In De 2a4t#3mo"& >the a4t#3m a. ''? re8ea!3 #ntere3t#n) #nformat#on on 0hatTert-!!#an mean3 0hen he refer3 to the h-r h a3 mother. The 4hra3e 0hen *o- r#3efrom that mo3t ho!* #rth 3#)n#f#e3 #mmer3#on a!0a*3 (one #n a r#8er or 3tream. It #3 a4ro e33 one -n(er)oe3 #n the a t of ne0 #rth #n the ear!* ent-r#e3 of the h-r h.Pre3ent!*, th#3 #3 re4!a e( * 4o-r#n) the neo4h*te3 the 0ater of a4t#3m on the

forehea( at a4t#3ma! font. A)a#n, there #3 f-n(amenta! mo8ement from o-t3#(e to #n3#(ethe h-r h. One #3 to -n(er3tan( that, the mother h-r h a om4an#e3 theate h-men3 o-t3#(e an( !ea(3 them a % #nto the ho-3e. Th#3 mo8ement from o-t3#(e

to #n3#(e an e 3een from t0o 4er34e t#8e3. From o-t3#(e >the 4!a e of a4t#3m? thene0!* a4t#Be( mo8e( #n the h-r h to meet 0#th the other mem er3. The 3e on(mo8ement #3 the mo3t f-n(amenta! a t#on of #mmer3#on -n(er the 0ater to r#3e or ome-4 cum de illo sanctissimo lavacro novi natalis enta#!3 0hat ha44en3 #nterna!!*. It #3 amo8ement a0a* from 0hat -3e( to e to a ne0 e)#nn#n). That #3, a han)e from o!(0a*3 of !#fe to a ne0 !#fe #n Chr#3t. Th#3 3#)n#f#e3 the a t of re #rth of e8er* #n8o!8e(4er3on>3? #nto an eterna! !#fe 0#th the Tr#n#tar#an Go( an( the mother h-r h. The ent#remo8ement 3#)n#f#e3 the (eath, -r#a! an( re3-rre t#on of one #n an( 0#th that of Chr#3t. It#3 an #n8#tat#on to 3hare an( 4art# #4ate after the 34#r#t-a! #rth of one #n the a t#8#t#e3 ofthe h-r h an( the !#fe of Chr#3t.

The mo8ement #3 34#r#t-a! an( 4h*3# a! !ea(#n) to a ne e33ar* han)e #n !#fe, ne0 !e8e!of re!at#on3h#4 of the 4er3on>3? to Go( the Father, the h-r h a3 mother. To th#3 ne0re!at#on3h#4 to0ar(3 Go( an( the h-r h, Da8#( Ran%#n o 3er8e3 that 0e are mo8#n)

!o3er to a 4o#nt 0hen the a %no0!e()ment of the h-r h a3 mother= e ome34rereJ-#3#te for that of Go( a3 father=, an( a e4tan e of the !ater e ome3 3ome0hat(e4en(ent on that * the former. " Th#3 #3 e8#(ent #n Tert-!!#an=3de ba&tismo &etite de%$ P+u &e C. ose&h, o&. cit., &.45.

'9 (his ar) their acce&tance as e #ers of the church. (o achie*e this, they &artici&ate in a catechu enate &ro!ra s structured in such a ay to instruct the a#out the #e+ief, the &ractice, the &rayer, and the Christian +ifeof the Catho+ic church they are a#out to e #race. In this circu stance, (ertu++ian as a catechist that is, a teacher or educator of the Christian faith, doctrine and tradition of the Church.

'1 e, a&t. 29. EC/"@ 1. 5 19. 21' : I!itur #enedicti uos !ratia dei e>&ectat, cu de i++o sanctissi o @auacronoui nata+is ascenditis et &ri as anus a&ud atre cu fratri#us a&eritis, &etite de &atre, &etite de do ino &ecu+ia!ratiae distri#utiones charis atu su#iacere .

'2 7an)in, a*id, o&. cit., &. '1.

25


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&atre. Tert-!!#an #(ent#f#e( the h-r h a3 thea&ud 3atrem >#n the ho-3e of *o-r mother?an( not of the father. 2-t #n the mother=3 ho-3e the father=3 4re3en e #3 fe!t. He #34ra*e( to, honore( an( re34e te( 0#th other mem er3 #n the mother


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S4#r#t an( the h-r h he #(ent#f#e( a3 Mother at eJ-a! !e8e! #n the Tr#n#tar#an fam#!* Or #3the om#33#on an o8er3#)ht It 3eem3 that 0hat Tert-!!#an 4-t3 a ro33 here 3-44ort3 theo 8#o-3 an( the nat-ra! %no0e()e ommon to -3. It #3 a 0e!! %no0n fa t that there #3 no0a* a h#!( an ome #nto e #3ten e 0#tho-t the father an( the mother. So #t #3 from h#34er34e t#8e, that for o-r 34#r#t-a! #rth to e rea!#3t# Go( the Father an( the mother

h-r h are #n8o!8e(. 2* a4t#3m the mother h-r h e)et3 h#!(ren 3he 4re3ent3 to Go(0hom the* #n8o%e #n the Lor(


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3#)n#f* another mo(e! #ma)e of the h-r h a3 the M*3t# a! 2o(* of Chr#3t. The3#m#!ar#t#e3 et0een the mother h-r h an( E8e are !ear.1/

In A( Mart*ra31 he a((re33e( the h-r h a3 2omina 3ater Ecclesia. The 4hra3e r#n)3to fore t0o #ma)e3 of the h-r h a3: La(* an( Mother. The Lat#n 0or( 2omina #n Gree%

mean3 56789 3#)n#f#e3 (#)n#t* of )reat re34e t for the Ch-r h. $hen -3e( #n the fam#!** h#!(ren #n a((re33#n) the#r 4arent3 #t 3#)n#f#e3 re8eren e to affe t#on.15 DX!)er, F.6.tran3!ate3 #t to mean E!e t La(*. It #3 a 4o!#te or re34e tf-! manner of a((re33#n) an(34ea%#n) to 3ome o(*.17 Tert-!!#an 3ee3 the mater#a! a33#3tan e ren(ere( * themem er3 of the hr#3t#an omm-n#t* to thebenedicti mart*res > !e33e( mart*e3? a3 ane 4re33#on of the matern#t* of the h-r h. The 4a3tora! a t#on of the mem er3 of the

h-r h ref!e t3 the motherhoo( of the h-r h. From th#3 4o#nt of 8#e0, 0e ar)-e thatTert-!!#an ha3 #n 8#e0 the #(ea that #n(#8#(-a!!*, ea h #3 a mother a3 the 4er3on4art# #4ate3 #n the 4a3tora! m#33#on of the mother h-r h thro-)h are)#8#n) to0ar(3 theother3 #n nee(3. Th#3 on !-3#on #3 e8#(ent #n the a o8e te t ofsinguli fratres . Hen e,the motherhoo( of the h-r h #3 3*non*mo-3 0#th the o!!e t#8e an( #n(#8#(-a! 4a3tora!

a t#on3 en)a)e( * the mem er an( mem er3 of the h-r h.The h-r h therefore, #3 4re3ente( #n her ar#n) for the mater#a! nee( carnis alimenta of the 4er3e -te( #n the 4r#3on. Th-3, the matern#t* of the h-r h #n th#3 onte t e 4re33e3#3 the ar#n) nat-re of her h#!(ren #n a mother!* 0a*. That #3 the h-r h on earth an(not the a 3tra t h-r h. 2-t th#3 #3 not a om4!ete a34e t of her materna! a33#3tan e.Tert-!!#an h#m3e!f 3ee3 the nee( of the other 3#(e of the mother J-a!#t* of the h-r h, the34#r#t-a! 3- 3#3ten efaciat ad s&iritum :uo:ue educandum. The3e t0o a34e t3(e!#neate one rea!#t* ro!e of the mother h-r h. The a t#on3 of thesinguli fratres an( thatof the #3ho4 3#)n#f* the motherhoo( of the h-r h. Here 0e 3ee #n Tert-!!#an ah#)h!#)hte( -n#t* #n m#33#on a t#8#t* ren(ere( * the Chr#3t#an omm-n#t* #n Cartha)e.De34#te 0hat 0e ha8e 3a#(, #t 3eem3 that the 3er8# e3 are (#re te( on!* to the mem er3of the h-r h #n nee(. The 3 o4e of the materna! ro!e of the h-r h * Tert-!!#an #3!#m#te( an( !ea(3 one to J-e3t#on #f #t #3 on!* the mem er3 of the Chr#3t#an3 omm-n#t*#n 4r#3on that are #n nee( of oth the mater#a! an( 34#r#t-a! atten(an e of the h-r hHo0e8er, the h-r h e 4re33e3 her materna! ro!e3 #n the on rete h-man !#fe 3#t-at#onof the 4eo4!e. She #3 #n8o!8e( #n the 3#t-at#ona! 4re(# ament3 of the 4eo4!e. Th#3 att#t-(e

$3 (he first other of a++ hu an #ein!s "*e ca e throu!h the o&ened side of 8da and as seen as the other of death. (he second other as for ed fro the o&en side ound of Christ and understood as the other of the+i*in!. e sees the aternity of the church &refi!ured in the O+d (esta ent in the eta&horica+ &erson of "*e. (hisis a shift fro Pau+ine s a#stract &refi!uration of erusa+e a#o*e as our other. (he second other, the church hasthe ission to fu+fi++ and rea+i0e that, hich the first other "*e cou+d not achie*e. (he church functions in thesa+*ific ission to restor #oth an and o an as their s&iritua+ other and s&ouse of Christ the ne 8da ho isthe ori!in and sustenance of her e>istence.

$48d, Martyras %6.EC/"@ I


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of a t#on3 3tren)then3 the omm-n#t* #nn0ar(!*. $#th the t#t!e2omina, 3-))e3t3 that themother h-r h #3 not on!* a h-r h #n her h#!(ren, -t a!3o a 3tron) La(* 0#th them.;<

Rea t#n) to the here3* 1" of h#3 4er#o( Tert-!!#an on e more re3orte( to the #ma)e of theh-r h a3 mother to ar)-e that heret# 3 ha8e no mother, 0h# h #m4!#e3 !#8#n) 0#tho-t

h-r h. S#n e the* are not 0#th the one mother h-r h, the* ha8e !o3t the mem er3h#4of #rth an( a33o #at#on a3 3- h not #n 4ro4er 3tan( an( -n#t* 0#th the mother h-r h.The mater e !e3#a (e8e!o4ment of Tert-!!#an !eft -3 0#th the -n(er3tan(#n) that themother h-r h )#8e3 #rth. Th#3 #rth o-!( e -n(er3too( #n t0o form3 of: materna! #rthan( a33o #at#on. A3 a mater of onform#n) 0hat 3 ho!ar3 3a#(, he 0a3, the f#r3t of theFather3 of the h-r h to ma%e a ne e33ar* onne t#on et0een the motherhoo( of

h-r h an( the Fatherhoo( of Go(. Th#3 #3 one of the ma or ontr# -t#on3 of Tert-!!#an #nthe (e8e!o4ment of the (o tr#ne of mater e !e3#a of h#3 t#me. Mo3t 3 ho!ar3 atte3te( toth#3 an( ma#nta#n that h#3 (o tr#ne of the mother h-r h #3 a h#)h e !e3#o!o)*.11 Th#3#nf!-en e( C*4r#an #n the form-!at#on of the famo-3 (# t-m attr# -te( to h#m. Ho0e8er,there 0a3 3 r#4t-ra! #nf!-en e on h#3 not#on of the h-r h a3 mother 3een #n h#3

t*4o!o)# a! referen e of the # !# a! 4er3on3. The h-r h Tert-!!#an (e3 r# e3 a3 mother #3 the earth!* h-r h. Th#3 mother h-r h he !o ate3 #n the #n(#8#(-a!3 an( o!!e t#8e4a3tora! a33#3tan e ren(ere( * the omm-n#t* of the e!#e8er3. In h#3 (emon3trat#on3of 0ho #3 a tr-e mem er of the h-r h an( 0ho e!on) to Go(, Tert-!!#an re3orte( to thematerna! #ma)e.

O 3er8a !*, Tert-!!#an ne8er form-!ate( Mar*;Ch-r h e !e3#o!o)*. That #3, he (#( not3ee the motherhoo( of the h-r h thro-)h the motherhoo( of Mar*. Perha43, he ne8er #nten(e( 3- h form-!at#on or on !-3#on. On h#3 ar)-ment a)a#n3t Mar #on&'' , heh#)h!#)hte( the #33-e of man=3 !one!#ne33, the 3e )en(er of oth Mar* an( the h-r han( 0hat the3e mean for man. The reat#on #(ea #3 re o-nte( to h#)h!#)ht the 4!a e of Mar* an( the mother h-r h #n Go(=3 m#33#on of r#n)#n) !e33#n)3 to h-man e#n)3.The m- h he offere( #n th#3 re)ar( 0a3 to 3ho0 that oth the mother h-r h an( Mar*3hare the 3ame fema!e J-a!#t* of e#n) 0oman an( mother. The 3#)n#f# ant of th#3, #3that #t 0#!! form the a3#3 of the (e8e!o4ment of Mar#an e !e3#o!o)* for other Father3 of the h-r h after h#m. In f-t-re th#3 0#!! e f-rther (e8e!o4e( * theo!o)#an3 an(e !e3#o!o)#3t3 to 3ho0 the !#n% et0een Mar* an( the h-r h.

1 + + ORIGEN 18+6+ . AD

Or#)en 0a3 orn #n A!e an(r#a an( e(- ate( at the famo-3 A!e an(r#an ate het# a!3 hoo!. He 0a3 a 4-4#! of St. C!ement of A!e an(r#a an( !ater a44o#nte( the hea( !ea(er $% /tefan 8c) ann, o&. cit., &. 31.

$' Praescr. aer. ECC/@ I. 1$ 23. 222 , eni ue &enitus ins&ectae haereses o nes in u+tis cu auctori#us suisdissentie entes de&rehendunter. P+eri ue nec ecc+esias ha#ent, sine atre, sine sede, or#i fide, e>torres uasi si#i+atiua!anturA.

$$ a*id, 7an)in, o&. cit., &&. '9 '3.

199 Marc. ECC/@ 1. 1' 29. 4%$ , on est eni in uit, #onu so+u esse ho ine , /cie#at i++i se>u Mariae etdeince&s ecc+esiae &rofuturu A.

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of the ate het# a! 3 hoo! * h#3 #3ho4, Demetr#-3 #n ' . A3 a r#!!#ant tea her, he4art# #4ate( #n 3er#e3 of theo!o)# a! (#34-tat#on3. In one of h#3 tra8e! to Cae3area #n /',Or#)en e ame or(a#ne(. Th#3 ne)at#8e!* affe te( h#3 re!at#on3h#4 0#th h#3 #3ho4.&'& H#30or% on the Ch-r h #3 #n 3 attere( form. It #3 from the3e fra)mente( 0or%3 that 0e e)#nto )ather to)ether h#3 #(ea of the Ch-r h a3 mother.

1 + + 1 O"&3en7s $n#e"stan#&n3 of t'e C'$"%' as Mot'e"

For Or#)en, the Ch-r h 4ree #3te(. Th#3 mean3 that the h-r h e #3te( efore #t3h#3tor# a! fo-n(#n) on earth. He ma#nta#n3 that the h-r h e #3te( from the t#me man0a3 reate( an( e8en efore. &' The f#r3t en o-nter 0#th 3- h an #(ea ra#3ef-n(amenta! J-e3t#on of #n 0hat form (#( th#3 h-r h e #3te(. $hat 0a3 #t a!!e( #n #t34ree #3ten e 4er#o( The3e J-e3t#on3 are 8er* #m4ortant 3#n e no h-man e#n) anrea( the m#n( of Go(. In th#3 4o3#t#on, t0o th#n)3 are #n8o!8e(. F#r3t!*, he 4!a e( theor#)#n of the h-r h o-t3#(e h#3tor*. Se on(!*, he !o ate( th#3 or#)#n a!3o 0#th#n h#3tor*.He ro-)ht t0o a34e t3 of h#3tor* #nto 4!a*: onto!o)# a! an( 4h*3# a!. H#3tor# a!!*, the

h-r h 0a3 (e8e!o4e( after the (eath an( re3-rre t#on of 6e3-3 Chr#3t. Perha43, Or#)enmean3 that the or#)#n of the h-r h )oe3 a % to Go( an( 0a3 fo-n(e( * Chr#3t. If 3o,he e!on)3 to the )ro-4 of theo!o)#an3 an( 3 ho!ar3 that tra e( the or#)#n of the h-r hto the h#3tor# a! 6e3-3 Chr#3t. The h-r h 0a3 0#th Go( efore #t3 #n arnat#on #n h#3tor*,#n 0hat one ma* re)ar( a3 4re;em#nen e. That #3, an #(ea #n the m#n( of Go( that 0a3!ater ma(e man#fe3t thro-)h 6e3-3 Chr#3t. 2* th#3, Or#)en #3 3#m4!* 3a*#n) that, #n Go(=34!an an( (e3#)n, the h-r h 0a3 there e8en efore reat#on. &'/ The mother h-r h ha3a 4!a e #n the 4!an of Go( 4r#or to her om#n) #nto e #3ten e #n the 0or!(.

The t#me!e33 h-r h e ame fo-n(e( #n 34a e to e)#n her 3a!8#f# m#33#on #n the 0or!(.Th#3 h-r h he 3*m o!# a! 4re3ente( a3 hea8en!* an( earth!* mother. In th#3, 0e(#3 o8er the #nf!-en e of the A4o3t!e Pa-! on h#3 4o3#t#on a o-t the hea8en!* 6er-3a!ema3 mother. Ho0e8er the #nf!-en e, Or#)en ma(e a(8an ement to ma#nta#n that thehea8en!* 6er-3a!em #3 not on!* the mother of the fa#thf-!, -t a!3o the mother of the Lor(an( the an)e!3. Le(e)an) )oe3 on to #(ent#f#e( the 6er-3a!em a3 the e)#nn#n) an(f#na! en( of h-man e#n)3. For one to )et there, he or 3he #3 to tra#n h#m3e!f or her3e!f #nthe 4ra t# e3 of the h-r h=3 fa#th an( 0a* of !#fe. $h# h Pa-! a!!3 the -!t#8at#on of Go(=3 f#e!( > f. & Cor. /:1?.&' 6-3t !#%e h#3 ontem4orar#e3, the 3 r#4t-re a44ea!e( toOr#)en an( he -3e( #t 3o 3tron) #n h#3 theo!o)* of the h-r h. The hea8en!* mother

h-r h a or(#n) to Or#)en #3 the h-r h #n her or#)#na! 3tate. It #3 a h-r h 0#tho-t 34ot,a h-r h that #3 #mma -!ate an( 0#tho-t 0r#n%!e3. In h#3 e e)e3#3 on 43a!m3 .&', he191 Ori!en, (he C+assics of =estern /&iritua+ity: 8n ">hortation to Martyrdo , Prayer and /e+ected =or)s, trans+, #y 7o an, 8 Gereer et a+, Pau+ist Press, 1$'', &&3 4ff.

192 In Cant. Cant. @i#. 2: GC/ Ori!. '. 15%. 13 16 aehrens.

1938+ois M ++er, "cc+esia Marias: ie "inheit Marias und er ?irche, 0 eite, #erar#eitete auf+a!e, /ch ei0,Bni*ersitHts*er+a! Frei#ur!, 1$55, &.119: ... da die )irche in a++en Gerechten seit 8da , ;a so!ar schon *or"rschaffun! der e+t dar ar....

194 @ede!an!, F. Mysteriu "cc+esiae: I a!es of the Church and its Me #ers in Ori!en, @eu*en, Bni*ersity Press,2991, &.293.

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a!!3 the -een ;Ch-r h;a mother: The -een, mother of the (a-)hter3 >of %#n)3?,3too( on the r#)ht han(Ythe Catho!# Ch-r h. It 0o-!( e more 4re #3e #f one 0ere toe 4!a#n that 3he #3 the Ce!e3t#a! one, 0ho #3 the Mother of the 3a#nt3 on earth a3 Pa-!3a*3: The 6er-3a!em 0h# h #3 a o8e, #3 free, 0h# h #3 o-r mother . Certa#n!*, 3he #3 the4erfe t S4o-3e of Chr#3t an( *o- 0#!! not e #n error, #f *o- a!! the Ch-r h that #3 on

earth, her (a-)hter.&'5

$e re e#8e( from Or#)en: the hea8en!* h-r h an( earth!*h-r h. The #(ea of h#3 hea8en!* h-r h 3tem3 from Pa-!#ne #nf!-en e of the hea8en!*6er-3a!em he a!!e( o-r mother > f. Ga! : 7?.

In h#3 ommentar* on the oo%3 of n-m er3 an( P3a!m3, Or#)en 3ee3 the earth!*h-r h a3 mother. +o- 3#t there, 3!an(er#n) *o-r o0n rother, *o- ma!#)en *o-r o0n

mother=3 3on . > f. P3. 5': &?. In h#3 hom#!* on P3a!m3 5': &, Or#)en 3ee3 the mother #n the te t a3 o-r mother the h-r h. &'7 De34#te the 4o3#t#on of Or#)en 0#th re)ar( to theearth!* mother h-r h, P!-m4e 0a3 of the o4#n#on that he ma(e effort to re4re3ent her,#n a 8#3-a! or 4# tor#a! form. That #3, the Ch-r h #n the 0or!( * 3ent#ment3 of o* an(4a#n3 o0#n) to o-r on(- t. The3e J-a!#t#e3 of o*, 4a#n3, an( ont#n-o-3 !a o-r of the

mother Ch-r h, 3ho03 ho0 Or#)en mo8e( from h#3 forma! #n8#3# !e mother h-r h tothat of the 8#3# !e one. 2e#n) #n on3tant 4a#n3 of !a o-r enta#!3 that the Ch-r h=3 ro!ean( f-n t#on a3 mother (oe3 not en( 0#th )#8#n) #rth thro-)h a4t#3m. The h-r ha om4an#e3 not on!* the Chr#3t#an3, -t a!3o, the ent#re h-man e#n)3 thro-)h !#8e33#t-at#on3. To the Chr#3t#an3, th#3 #3 a h#e8e( thro-)h an( 0#th the 3a rament3 to the4o#nt of (eath an( thereafter. The h-r h=3 matern#t* #3 a ont#n-o-3 one. On a 3#m#!ar note, 6Zr)en3me#er 3a*3, Wie St. =aulus leidet die #irche, die 3utter der m*stischenGlieder 0hristi, Geburts$ehen um ihre #inder, um sie immer von neuem zu geb ren f>r 0hristus.? =&'9 Chr#3t#an3 are a!0a*3 #n the 0om of the mother h-r h. In th#3 0om the*)ra(-a!!* (e8e!o4 an( )ro0 to0ar(3 mat-r#t* #n 8#rt-e. Th#3 #3 a !on) 4ro e33 that !ea(3to the 4art-r#t#on of Chr#3t#an3 an( -!m#nate3 #n the#r atta#n#n) of the #n orr-4t# !e 3tateof !#fe #n Chr#3t.

Another #m4ortant #(ea #n the 4a33a)e #3 the 4!a e of the Ho!* S4#r#t. It #3 thro-)h theHo!* S4#r#t that the Father ta%e3 the h-r h a3 a S4o-3e. An( thro-)h the 3ame Ho!*S4#r#t the Ch-r h e)et3 h#!(ren. Th#3 #n a 3en3e that e8er* moment the 3a rament of

a4t#3m #3 e!e rate( the Ho!* S4#r#t #3 #n8o%e( o8er the a4t#3ma! 0ater. Th#3 r#n)3a o-t the fe -n(#t* that !ea(3 to the 34#r#t-a! #rth of Chr#3t#an3. The 3ame S4#r#t#n8#)orate3 0#th 4-re an( fert#!e 3ee( of !#fe: the 8#rt-e an( 3o-n( (o tr#na! tea h#n)3of the Mother. For th#3 3ee( of !#fe #m4!ante( * the Ho!* S4#r#t to *#e!( #t3 fr-#t3a -n(ant!* 4re3-44o3e3 o!!a orate effort amon) the mem er3 of the h-r h #3 )eare(to0ar(3 rem#n(#n) an( on3tant!* tea h#n) one another -nt#! the* a J-#re 8#rt-e>3?. Theeffort3 rea h the e 4e te( mat-r#t* #n the 4re3ent an( 4re4are Chr#3t#an3 for a f-!f#!!e(f-t-re. A or(#n) to Pro8er 3 &:" #t #3 the father=3 f-n t#on to #n3tr- t h#3 h#!(ren, 0h#!ethe mother tea he3 them. If the* !#3ten the* 0#!! #m # e 8#rt-e3 that 0#!! e of )reat he!4195 (his trans+ation is fro P+u &e, ose&h C, Mater "cc+esia an In uiry into the Conce&t of the Church as Mother in"ar+y Christianity, =ashin!ton, . C. 1$43, &, %3 %4.

196 Ps. Cat. 4$E59 ,21 ECadiou '1 .

19% Qr!ens eier F. er ystische @ei# Christi, Pader#orn, 1$36, &. 395.

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to them #n !#fe. Or#)en 3ee3 #t (#fferent!*. For h#m, the 0or(3 that 0e hear%en to, #3 theS r#4t-re the Mother=3, the -n0r#tten tra(#t#on of the Ch-r h: !#%e fa3t#n) on Fr#(a*3 an(3#m#!ar th#n)3.... It #3 a!3o 4o33# !e to refer th#3 to father3 #n the nat-ra! or(er, or of the34#r#t-a! tea her3, for the h-r h #3 the#r mother too.&'" The h-r h f#r3t no-r#3he3 0#thfoo( that are not 3tron). $hat 3he (oe3 at th#3 3ta)e o-!( e !#%en to 0hat mother3 (o

0hen the* fee( the#r ten(er h#!(ren.The mother h-r h #3 (e4# te( a3 one 0ho no-r#3he3. The mother h-r h (oe3 th#3 *the 4rea h#n) of the $or(. Another mother!* f-n t#on of the h-r h o 8#o-3 #n the a o8e#3 her tea h#n) ro!e thro-)h her tea her3 #n the 4er3on3 of the ma)#3ter#-m. E8entho-)h th#3 #3 not a!!e( the ma)#3ter#-m, #t #3 rather a33-me(, the 34#r#t-a! tea her3.Ho0e8er, th#3 mother!* ro!e of the h-r h #n !-(e3 man* ate het# a! #n3tr- tor3 an(other3 0ho he!4 #n the 34#r#t-a! an( (o tr#na! e(- at#on #n the Chr#3t#an omm-n#t*.Thro-)h the3e (o- !e f-n t#on3 the mother h-r h fee(3 the fa#th of her h#!(ren. He-3e( man* other 4er3on#f# at#on3 to (e3 r# e the #ma)e of the h-r h a3 mother. In(ef#n#n) the E !e3#a a3 the a33em !* of a!! the 3a#nt3, Or#)en a((3:Haec ergo ecclesia

sit :uasi omnium una &ersona ,&'1

a3 s&onsa , 0ho #(ent#f#e3 her3e!f th-3:Ego Ecclesia,ego S&onsa, ego sine macula, &lurimarum custos sum &osita vinearum ,&&' a3 3ulier,Ecclesia gentium. &&&

1 + - C9PRIAN OF CARTHAGE +.86+ 8 AD

C*4r#an 0a3 orn #n Cartha)e the 4re3ent (a* T-n#3#a #n North Afr# a. He 0a3 on8erte(to Chr#3t#an#t* a3 a(-!t, a4t#Be( a o-t 7, or(a#ne( 4r#e3t an( e!e te( #3ho4 of Cartha)e #n " or 1. He !#8e( #n the t#me of )reat 4er3e -t#on3 of the Ch-r h #n North

Afr# a an( Rome. The 3o #et* e ame em4t* of 34#r#t-a!#t* a3 there 0a3 e e33 J-e3tfor 0or!(!#ne33, mater#a! )a#n an( 3 an(a!3 e8en amon) the #3ho43. Th#3 #3 eJ-#8a!entto 0hat the 4re3ent 0or!( #3 4a33#n) thro-)h of 0h# h the h-r h #3 not e em4te( from.Mater#a!#3m ha3 e ome the or(er of the (a* #n the -!t-re3 an( #n3t#t-t#on3 of the 0or!(.He 3tr-))!e( 0#th 8er* (#ff# -!t 3#t-at#on3 of h#3 4er#o(. There 0a3 e terna! 4er3e -t#on

* the then Em4eror De #-3 > 5'; 5&? #n 1. The 4rom-!)at#on of the em4eror (eman(3 that 4eo4!e 4o-r !# at#on3, 4erform 3a r#f# e to the )o(3 an( eat the 3a r#f# #a!8# t#m.&& He 0#tne33e( another 4er#o( of Chr#3t#an 4er3e -t#on -n(er the re#)n of Em4eror a!er#an > 57; 5"?. After the (eath of Tert-!!#an, C*4r#an !#8e( a o-t a19' Fra!. In Pro*. EPG 1%.


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)enerat#on. &&/ D-r#n) h#3 era, the Roman )o8ernment -3e( for e on the Chr#3t#an3 toa h#e8e the#r a#m. De34#te the har( mea3-re3, 3ome mem er3 of the Chr#3t#an

omm-n#t* 3too( for the#r fa#th an( re3#3te( the 3a r#f# e. A3 a re4er -33#on to that, the*fa e( the on3eJ-en e of )o#n) #nto e #!e, re!e)at#o. The aftermath 0a3 (#34o33e33#n)of 4ro4ert*, confiscatio && th-3, ma%#n) !#fe (#ff# -!t for the 4eo4!e. It #3 #n th#3 3#t-at#on

that mo3t mem er3 of Chr#3t#an omm-n#t* 3-ffere( -n -3t #m4r#3onment, e #!e an(4a#nf-! e e -t#on. Some Chr#3t#an mem er3 0ho are not 3tron) eno-)h 0#th the fa#th4art# #4ate( #n the 3a r#f# e. Ho0e8er, 3ome 0ea!th* Chr#3t#an3 amon) them 3e ret!*

r# e( the )o8ernment off# #a!3 0ho o-)ht the ert#f# ate3 >!# e!!#? for them, the#r fam#!*mem er3 an( other3.

The #3ho4 a!3o 0ent #nto e #!e an( from there rea he( h#3 omm-n#t* an( other #3ho43 #n Afr# a an( Rome thro-)h !etter 0r#t#n)3 an( orre34on(en e. P!-m4e &&5 an(

3ome other 3 ho!ar3 3ee the #3ho4=3 e #!e a3 a 3e!f;#m4o3e( one. There 0ere #nterna!onf!# t3 from the !a #3t3 )ro-4 that e!e te( Fort-nat-3 a3 the#r #3ho4, the r#)or#3t3

)ro-4 !e( * No8at#an of Rome an( the re a4t#3m ontro8er3*. The #3ho4 0a3 fa e(

0#th the3e 4a3tora! #33-e3 an( ho0 to re on #!e the !a43e( one3 0#th the h-r h. It #3 #nthe m#3t of the3e on(#t#on3 that h#3 not#on of the mater e !e3#a #ma)e 4!a*3 entra! ro!e#n h#3 theo!o)* of e !e3#o!o)* #n other to ma#nta#n the 4-r#t* an( -n#t* of the h-r h. He3ee3 oth a3 the mo3t e33ent#a! nat-re of the h-r h. 2-t efore C*4r#an a44eare( onthe 3 ene at a o-t m#((!e of th#r( ent-r*, there 0a3 a!rea(* a 4ro e33 of (e8e!o4ment#n e !e3#o!o)*,&&7 an( the #ma)e of the h-r h a3 mother 0a3 a!3o #n #r -!at#on.

1 + - 1 Mate" E%%les&a &n C4*"&an s ;o"/

6-3t !#%e h#3 4re(e e33or3, C*4r#an -3e( the #ma)e t#t!e of Mater re -rrent!* #n h#3(o tr#ne of the h-r h. He refer3 to the fatherhoo( of Go( an( the motherhoo( of the

h-r h 0#th earne3tne33 an( (#re tne33 of a44ea! an( a freJ-en * that #3 not 3-r4a33e(* an* other 0r#ter amon) the Father3. In one of h#3 0r#t#n)3, C*4r#an 3a#( that the

Ch-r h 34ea%3 to her 3- e t3 a3 Mater or Mater E !e3#a.&&9 The term3 he -3e3freJ-ent!* to e 4re33 the 3ame #(ea #3 e#ther 3ater, or 3ater Ecclesia . He#nter han)ea !* -3e( the 0or( an( 4hra3e to #!!-3trate the mean#n) an( ro!e of the

h-r h #n an effort to 3o!8e #nterna! an( e terna! 4o!em# 3 that threaten the h-r h of h#3era. $hat (oe3 #t mean to 34ea% to her 3- e t3 a3 3ater !mother" or 3ater Ecclesia!mother 0hurch" . He a33o #ate3 the matern#t* of the h-r h 0#th h#3 !o a! Chr#3t#an

omm-n#t* at Cartha)e. In th#3 omm-n#t*, there #3 h#)h !e8e! of !a#t* #n8o!8ement #n thea t#8#t#e3 of the h-r h. The !a* fa#thf-! are #n8o!8e( #n the e!e t#on of #3ho4,a44o#ntment of !er)*, re e t#on of -n0orth* #3ho4 an( o#nt a t#on3 #n (efen(#n) the

omm-n#t* >the h-r h?. De34#te the #n8o!8ement of the !a#t* #n the h-r h, the113 (i++ey, 8. Maureen, o&. Cit., &. 2'.

114 C+ar)e, G. =, ou#+e (ria+ in the Persecution of ecius, in istoria 22, no.4, 1$%3, &. 663ff.

115 P+u &e, C. ose&h, o&. cit., &. '6.

116 a*id, 7an)in, o&. Cit., &. 1.

11% P+u &e, C. ose&h, o&. cit., &.'1.

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h#erar h# a! nat-re of the h-r h #3 e8#(ent. The #3ho43= (-t#e3 #n !-(e: a44o#ntmentan( re)-!at#on of the !er)*. He 4re3#(e3 o8er the re!#)#o-3 !#fe of the omm-n#t*, 0h# h#n !-(e3 the E- har#3t, !*#n) of han( (-r#n) a4t#3m an( re4entan e. A!3o, he ontro!3the ommon f-n(3. &&"The a t#8#t* of the h-r h he 3ee3 a3 mother e!on)3 to a!!, the!a#t* an( the #3ho4.

H#3 f#r3t #(ent#f# at#on of the h-r h a33ater Ecclesia !3other 0hurch" 0a3 #n h#3 0or%on the 8#r)#n3 0r#tten aro-n( 5'. &&1 The 8#r)#n3 an( mart*e3 are re o)n#Be(, re34e te(an( e!e rate( a3 heroe3 #n the h-r h. The* are mo(e!3 for the mem er3 of theChr#3t#an omm-n#t* to em-!ate #n ear#n) 0#t

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