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By (author) Witkamp, Nathan

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In Tradition and Innovation, Nathan Witkamp convincingly argues that Narsai of Nisibis’ (d. ca. 503) baptismal rite and mystagogy, as portrayed in his Liturgical Homilies 21-22, is much less dependent on Theodore of Mopsuestia as has previously been supposed.

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In Tradition and Innovation, Nathan Witkamp convincingly argues that Narsai of Nisibis’ (d. ca. 503) baptismal rite and mystagogy, as portrayed in his Liturgical Homilies 21-22, are much less dependent on Theodore of Mopsuestia (ca. 350-ca. 428) than scholars have previously supposed. Narsai’s baptismal rite turns out to represent a particular East Syrian liturgical tradition, independent of Theodore. In his mystagogy, Narsai uses Theodore’s Baptismal Homilies 1-3 as just one source among others to create the artwork he desires. This detailed comparative study contributes to our understanding of rite and mystagogy in Theodore and Narsai within the broader early Syrian context, as well as to the reception of Theodore by Narsai and the East Syrian Church.

Table of contents:
PrefaceGlossaryAbbreviationsQuotationsIntroductionPart 1 Preliminary Issues: Terminology and Structure1 Terminology 1.1 Introduction 1.2 ‘Baptism’ 1.3 ‘Mystery/ies’ 1.4 ‘Initiation’ and ‘Baptismal Rite’2 The Structure of the Rite 2.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia 2.2 Narsai of Nisibis 2.3 Concluding ComparisonPart 2 Rituals Preceding the Sacrament3 Examination, Sponsor, Enrolment 3.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia 3.2 Narsai of Nisibis 3.3 The Rituals Contextualised 3.4 The Rituals Compared 3.5 Conclusion4 Deliverance from Sin and the Devil 4.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia 4.2 Narsai of Nisibis 4.3 The Rituals Contextualised 4.4 The Rituals Compared 4.5 Conclusion5 Apotaxis and Syntaxis 5.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia 5.2 Narsai of Nisibis 5.3 The Rituals Contextualised 5.4 The Rituals Compared 5.5 ConclusionPart 3 Rituals of the Sacrament6 The Signing on the Forehead 6.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia 6.2 Narsai of Nisibis 6.3 The Rituals Contextualised 6.4 The Rituals Compared 6.5 Conclusion7 Baptism 7.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia 7.2 Narsai of Nisibis 7.3 The Rituals Contextualised 7.4 The Rituals Compared 7.5 ConclusionGeneral ConclusionBibliographyIndex

Review quote:
Witkamps Studie ist sehr detailliert und…. interessant und instruktiv. Insgesamt hat Witkamp eine gute und sorgfältige Studie vorgelegt.
Simon Gerber, Theologische Literaturzeitung, 2019

This thorough and judicious study has greatly enriched our awareness of the complexity of the Syrian baptismal rites… Witkamp’s careful monograph will be indispensable to all future workers in this ﬁeld of study.
Anthony Gelston, Journal of Theological Studies, 2019

Biographical note:

Nathan Witkamp, Ph.D. (2016), Evangelical Theological Faculty, Leuven/VU Amsterdam, is research fellow of the Netherlands Centre for Patristic Research. He has published several articles on the baptismal rites of Theodore of Mopsuestia and Narsai of Nisibis.