Gratian the Theologian

by John C. Wei

Overview

Gratian the Theologian shows how one of the best-known canonists of the medieval period was also an accomplished theologian. Well into the twelfth century, compilations of Church law often dealt with theological issues. Gratian's Concordia discordantium canonum or Decretum, which was originally compiled around 1140, was no exception, and so Wei claims in this provocative book. The Decretum is the fundamental canon law work of the twelfth century, which served as both the standard textbook of canon law in the medieval schools and an authoritative law book in ecclesiastical and secular courts. Yet theology features prominently throughout the Decretum, both for its own sake and for its connection to canon law and canonistic jurisprudence. This book provides an introduction to and reassessment of three aspects of Gratian's theology: his use of the Bible and biblical exegesis; his penitential theology; and his handling of the other sacraments and the liturgy. The manuscript discoveries and methodological breakthroughs of the past few decades have rendered older accounts of Gratian's theology obsolete. This book reappraises Gratian's theological views and doctrines in light of recent scholarly advances, particularly the discovery of new theological sources that Gratian appears to have known and used and the discovery of the first recension of the Decretum, which differs in significant ways from the considerably longer vulgate text that scholars have traditionally relied upon. In the process, this book also uncovers new evidence concerning Gratian's intellectual background and milieu and provides new insights into the Decretum's composition, structure, and development. Ultimately, this book does more than just enhance our understanding of Gratian the theologian. It also contributes significantly to our knowledge of Gratian the jurist and to the world of theology and law in which he worked.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813236353
Publisher:	Catholic University of America Press
Publication date:	08/05/2022
Series:	Studies in Medieval and Early Modern Canon Law , #13
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.83(d)

Table of Contents

List of Tables ix

Preface xi

A Note on the Sources xiii

List of Abbreviations xv

Introduction 1

Part 1 Gratian the Author and Biblical Exegete

1 Gratian and His Book(s) 17

2 The Bible 34

Part 2 Gratian the Penitential Theologian

3 The Practice and Theory of Penance 69

4 Gratian on Penance 101

5 Critiquing and Correcting the Scholastics 148

6 From Penitential Theology to the Canon Law of Magic 186

Part 3 Gratian, a Theologian of the Sacraments and Liturgy?

7 Gratian, a Sacramental Theologian? 229

8 Gratian, a Liturgist? 247

Conclusion 297

Appendix 301

Bibliography 311

Index of Citations to the Decretum Gratiani 337

General Index 347

Editorial Reviews

"Lucidly written, extensively documented, and masterfully argued, Gratian the Theologian is an impressive work of scholarship that draws upon a wide-ranging, yet intimate knowledge of the relevant legal and theological sources to illuminate and contextualize the theological elements in Gratian's thought and, at the same time, to contribute substantively to the ongoing discussion of the textual history of the Decretum. Addressed to specialists and advanced students, this book belongs on the shelves of all academic libraries supporting programs in canon law, theology, and medieval history."—Thomas M. Dousa, Catholic Library World

"The granular detail Wei provides should complement and stretch recent scholarship on Gratian and the Drecretalists a laudable contribution to the history of canon law and its deputed founder."—Patrick Hayes, Catholic Books Review

"Wei is a master of the sources and does a superb job not only of reviewing Gratian's own sources, both theological and canonical, but also of distinguishing different emphases of the first and second recensionThis book admirably advances the study of both mediaeval law and mediaeval theology."—W Becket Soule OP, Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio, Ecclesiastical Law Journal

From the Publisher