Book Series Brepols Library of Christian Sources, vol. 5

Anonymus

The Liber de ordine creaturarum

Marina Smyth

  • Pages: 191 p.
  • Size:156 x 234 mm
  • Language(s):English, Latin
  • Publication Year:2023

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  • ISBN: 978-2-503-59678-5
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One of the first treatises in systematic theology written in Latin

BIO

Marina Smyth was awarded the Ph.D. in 1984, by the Medieval Institute, University of Notre Dame, for work later published as Understanding the Universe in Seventh-Century Ireland. By the mid-seventh century, Irish scholars based most likely in monasteries were making well-considered and original contributions to the corpus of Latin Christian learning, and Smyth has been mainly focusing on scientific and theological aspects of that activity. Her 2018 Farrell Lecture gives an overview of the world in which these scholars lived.

Summary

The Liber de ordine creaturarum is an anonymous Latin work with an Irish provenance that dates back to the seventh century. It presents the creation as the divine handiwork and is notable for serving as both a commentary on the Hexaemeron (Six-day Work) in Genesis and as one of the earliest works of systematic theology. Although previously attributed to Isidore of Seville, the Liber de ordine creaturarum is far more than a mere compilation of 'authorities.' Instead, it emphasizes the inherent order that exists within the creation itself.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Summary Review of the Evidence for the Origin and Dating of De ordine creaturarum
Spelling Influenced by the Irish Language
Words with Characteristic Spellings Occurring Frequently in Hiberno-Latin Texts, but Comparatively Rarely in Other Contexts
Reception
Division into Chapters and Chapter Headings

Latin Text with English Translation
1. The Doctrine of the Trinity
2. On Spiritual Created Beings
3. On the Waters Above the Firmament
4. The Celestial Firmament
5. The Sun and the Moon
6. The Higher Space and Paradise
7. The Lower Space and the Various Hemispheres
8. Concerning the Devil and the Nature of Demons
9. On the Nature of Water and the Behaviour of the Ocean
10. On Paradise, the First Dwelling Place of Man
11. The Disposition of the Terrestrial Orb Inhabited by Man
12. On the Nature of Man
13. On the Different Kinds of Sinners and their Places of Punishment
14. The Cleansing Fire
15. The Life to Come
 Appendix

Notes

Bibliography
Abbreviations
Previous Editions
Ancient and Medieval Authors
Modern Authors

Indices
Index of Biblical References
Index of Patristic & Medieval Works and Councils
Index of Modern Authors
Index of Topics