Reading Reverence: Literate Practice in Ambrose of Milan’s Expositio evangelii secundum Lucam
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Authors
Crandall, April D.
Issue Date
2018
Type
Thesis
Language
Keywords
Ambrose of Milan , Church Fathers , Late Antiquity , Late Rome , Literacy , Scriptural Literacy
Alternative Title
Abstract
Ambrose of Milan has long been heralded as the political mind behind the dramatic change in power play between the Church and the imperial seat of Late Roman government. However, after years of producing text, championing the cause against pagan strongholds in Roman culture, and instructing the Church in pious lifestyles, Ambrose’s level of scriptural literacy is still ambiguous at best. Ambrose placed his intentions and abilities in scriptural literacy into question in his Expositio evangelii secudum lucam. His exegetical approach to Gospel of Luke reflects greater understanding of doctrines in vogue at the time than of the gospel. Ambrose’s method of promoting doctrine without regard to scripture led to exegetical methods that would eventually shape the church into the entity that would launch crusades and entice the pious to pray at shrines.