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Posted

I am interested in the writing of the New Testament and its reception within the first two or three centuries. I plan to begin studying Latin this fall or in 2011. Please pardon my ignorance, but at what time does Latin begin to feature prominently in the writings of the early Church? In what century do the church Fathers or others begin writing in Latin? I am trying to decide whether I should focus on starting Latin in the fall or take a second year of Hebrew. Which should I focus on first? Thanks for your thoughts!

Posted

Tertullian, 2nd century, is usually considered the first Latin Christian author.

The first five or so volumes of the Patrologia Latina cover the first three centuries. But regardless, Latin will be infinitely more useful to you than Hebrew for patristics.

Are you interested in canon formation issues and the apocrypha at all? (This has no bearing on my answer. I'm just curious :)).

Posted

Tertullian, 2nd century, is usually considered the first Latin Christian author.

The first five or so volumes of the Patrologia Latina cover the first three centuries. But regardless, Latin will be infinitely more useful to you than Hebrew for patristics.

Are you interested in canon formation issues and the apocrypha at all? (This has no bearing on my answer. I'm just curious :)).

Thanks, Sparky! Congratulations on your acceptance at Notre Dame! I am interested in strengthening my Hebrew to be more capable than I currently am in the OT. As to how much I will use it for further research though, I am not sure. I am more interested in the relationship between first-century cultures and the New Testament authors and early audiences. Yes, I am also interested in canon formation, and also the apocrypha as related to the interpretation of the canonical writings. Why do you ask?

Posted

Yes, I am also interested in canon formation, and also the apocrypha as related to the interpretation of the canonical writings. Why do you ask?

'Cause it's what I wrote about in my MA/MTS statements of purpose! :lol::D

Just a note: my answer assumed you will be applying for early church/historical theo programs. If you see yourself applying chiefly to scriptural theo PhD/ThD programs, it might be wiser to stick with Hebrew. Because remember, you won't just be taking classes in your immediate area of interest. NT people also take OT classes, and you'll probably be expected to work with the OT in Hebrew. (Similarly, if you're doing historical/patristics, even if your main interest is in the first three centuries, you'll probably end up in a class on fourth- and fifth-century theologians at some points, yes? :P ) So think about what your coursework will most likely encompass, and let that guide your decision.

And also--thanks!

Posted

The latter half of Tertullian's corpus was written in Latin. However, as Augustine makes clear, it was hard to do speculative theology in Latin about the nature of a being like God due to the fact that Latin lacked a participle for the verb to be (I think Augustine came up with something like 'essens'). Cicero ties himself in knots trying to explain 'being' without a participle. This definitely shaped the way theology was done in the West vs. the East (and is one of my research interests).

Latin is easy - you will enjoy it.

Posted

Thanks Sparky and Late Antique. Should I buy Wheelock or a different grammar to begin learning Latin? Which introduction to the church Fathers written in English do you recommend?

Posted

If you understand English grammar, Wheelock's is fine. If you don't, I'd suggest Seligson's "Latin for Reading".

Good intros to the Fathers:

Hubertus Drobner, "The Fathers of the Church"

Johannes Quasten, "Patrology" (4 Vols of great intros)

Michael Holmes' "The Apostolic Fathers" is good for getting into the primary sources for that period, and it's done Loeb style with Greek on one side and English on the other.

Posted

Thanks Sparky and Late Antique. Should I buy Wheelock or a different grammar to begin learning Latin? Which introduction to the church Fathers written in English do you recommend?

The aforementioned Patrology is excellent. Also Henry Chadwick's The Early Church is a classic. UChicago has their patristics doctoral exam bibliography online, which might be a good place to look as well.

Posted

If you understand English grammar, Wheelock's is fine. If you don't, I'd suggest Seligson's "Latin for Reading".

Please forgive this grossly off topic post, but my curiosity has been piqued and Seligson's title begs the question: where can I find a good text on Latin for purposes other than reading?

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