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Interpretations of Levitical Priesthood in Scripture

Explore the biblical background and teachings related to Levitical priesthood interpreted by Origen and Augustine, and learn about key figures like Moses and Aaron.

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Interpretations of Levitical Priesthood in Scripture

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  1. Lecture 4: Levitical Priesthood Dr. Ann T. Orlando 15 February 2019

  2. Outline • Biblical Background: Exodus and Leviticus • Origen • Homilies on Leviticus • Augustine on Exodus and Leviticus • Apostolic Constitutions

  3. Background on Exodus • Second book of Pentateuch (Torah) • Traditionally written by Moses • Tells story of salivation of people Israel from Egyptians and time in desert • Outline • Birth an dearly life of Moses • Call of Moses • Passover and deliverance from Pharaoh • Time in the desert, 10 commandments • Design of Ark of Covenant • Establishment of Levitical (hereditary) priesthood through Aaron (Ch 28-30) • Golden calf and punishment of the people • Building tabernacle, ark of the covenant and altar of incense

  4. Background on Leviticus • Third book of Pentateuch (Torah) • Traditionally written by Moses • Could be considered a manual for newly created Levitical priesthood • Outline • Types of sacrifices • Ordination of priests • Aaron’s sons offer an impure sacrifice • Household laws • Purification of the sick • Day of Atonement • Ritual and moral holiness • Conduct of priests • Festivals

  5. Scriptural Exegesis Reminder • Since Scripture is fundamentally ‘one book’, various disparate sections can be used to explain other sections • Use NT to fully understand the OT • Use OT figures as a model for Church

  6. Collection of OT Books as Referenced by Fathers • Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy • Origen • Heptateuch: Pentateuch plus Joshua and Judges • Augustine • Octateuch: Heptateuch plus Ruth • Theodoret

  7. Origen • Born in Alexandria in 185, died (a martyr) in 254 • Born into a Christian family • His father, Leonides, martyred when Origen was a teenager • Influenced by Philo of Alexandria • Prominent in the catechetical school in Alexandria • Wrote an important apology opposing philosophical arguments against Christianity, Contra Celsum • Although he suffered heroically for the faith, later controversies led to his condemnation • For political/theological reasons Origen was condemned by Justinian in the 6th C and at the Second Council of Constantinople

  8. Origen and Scripture • ‘Systematic’ approach to Scripture described in On First Principles • Literal • Moral • Spiritual • Hexapla • Wrote many complete commentaries and homilies on almost all books of Scripture • Majority of books lost as a result of 6th C condemnations • Most surviving works reconstructed from Latin or other translations

  9. Origen the Presbyter and Scholar • Ordained priest by bishop of Caesarea in Palestine • Bishop of Alexandria, Demetrius, was not informed and opposed the ordination • As presbyter, he was primarily called upon to teach and preach • He established important school is Palestine, focused on study of Scripture • Extensive dialog and debates with Jewish rabbinic school • His scholarly work was supported by Ambrose and his wife • School endured for several centuries after Origen’s death • St. Jerome studied there • Jerome’s Letter 31 to Paul contains the best list of Origen’s works

  10. Homilies on Leviticus • Origen likely delivered these homilies c. 240, over two or three years • Translated into Latin by Rufinus c. 400 • Origen uses these homilies to discuss the proper role of the priest (presbyter) • Priest must not only know the scriptures, but he must be able to communicate proper lessons from Scripture to his audience • Numerous places in Homilies where Origen discusses contemporary ecclesial practices

  11. Some Questions to Consider in Origen On Leviticus • Homily 1 • In places, Origen seems to be referring to the priesthood of the laity, in other places, to the ordained presbyterate.  Consider some examples • How is the sacrifice of Jesus both physical and spiritual • Homily 4 • What is the priesthood of the laity? • What did the woman suffering from a hemorrhage in the Gospels understand about Jesus • Why should priests of the altar be perfect? • How does the priest teach • How should the priest care for himself? • Homily 5 • What does Origen mean when he says that we have all the animals needed for sacrifice within us • What is role of priests in forgiving sins of the people? • What is the difference between an ‘transgression’ and a ‘sin’ • What is the reward of the priests who preaches the true Word • How is the salutary sacrifice divided into praise and prayer • What are the three causes of impurity? How are we to understand this? • How does a priest offer a salutary sacrifice

  12. Augustine • Continuation of CoG XVII • How Aaronic priesthood is related to prophets (Samuel in particular) • See XVII.5-6 • The ‘priesthood’ of Moses, Aaron and Samuel See Exposition of Psalm 98 10-12

  13. Questions to Consider for Augustinian Readings • Augustine, CoG XVII • Why does Augustine place such importance on Samuel’s priesthood? • What does Augustine say about the priesthood of the laity and the priesthood of Aaron • Augustine, Explosions of the Psalms, Ps 98 • How do Moses, Aaron and Samuel represent all Christian faithful? • Is anyone sinless? Are all liable to punishment? What about Samuel? • What is the punishment of servants (ministers) of the Church?

  14. Apostolic Constitutions • (Early?) Fourth Century collection of sayings, decrees, liturgies which purport to be from the Apostles • Organized in 8 (unrelated) books • Contains elements of other works such as Didacheand Liturgy recorded by Hippolytus • Unknown in Latin, West, until Renaissance • Explores another line of thought on deacons (and deaconesses) as Levites

  15. Book II: Church Hierarchy and Organization • On role of bishops and deacons see Book II. xxv-xxxv • Describes deacons as ‘levites’ • Attempts to establish a metaphor of bishops (and priests) related to Moses while deacons are associated with Aaron and Levites • Seems to be an attempt to reconcile Order of Melchizedek with Order of Levites

  16. Questions to Consider in the Apostolic Constitutions • How does AC describe the relationship between bishops and the people of the Church?  How does it use the Old Testament to do this? • Who selects priests? • What are some of the Church  ‘offices’ mentioned here?

  17. Assignments Origen, Homilies on Leviticus Homilies 1, 4, 5 Augustine, CoG, XVII.5-6 _____Exposition of Psalm 98.10-12 Apostolic Constitutions II.xxv-xxxv Prepare Paper #4

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