Gregory of Nazianzus's Use of Creation in the Trinitarian Controversy: Theological Hermeneutics as Polemic

Abstract

In this dissertation I argue that Gregory of Nazianzus implements an allegorical interpretation of biblical creation texts in order to uphold the divinity of the persons of the Trinity against his later fourth-century Trinitarian opponents. Gregory’s polemic is motivated by his own theology and is anchored both in Scripture and in the Alexandrian tradition which he received. My approach of discussing Gregory’s thoughts on creation and the Trinity within his own context is new to the field of patristic studies. Many have studied the theme of creation in early Christian studies, but none of those studies are specific to Gregory as he employs them in his own polemical fashion. Others have aimed to connect Gregory’s thoughts on creation with ecology and liberation theology, but none pay careful attention to Gregory’s own historical situation and theological context. To accomplish this goal I survey Gregory’s works as they relate to the dual themes of creation and the Trinity. I consider Origen and Athanasius of Alexandria and their works on creation as gateways of influence upon Gregory. I study several of Basil of Caesarea’s and Gregory of Nyssa’s works as they discuss the theme of creation and I compare their approach to Gregory’s. Since Gregory’s opponents deny the doctrine of the Trinity as it was handed down to Gregory, his interpretation is situational in that Gregory’s historical context determines his scriptural exegesis. My study examines Gregory’s motives and methods which are determined by his historical context for the purpose of combating doctrine contrary to his and promoting accepted Trinitarian belief.