Horizontal and Vertical Theologies: “Sacraments” in the Works of Paschasius Radbertus and Ratramnus of Corbie
Owen M. Phelan
In the middle decades of ninth century, Charles Bald, West Frankish Carolingian ruler, received two treatises on subject Eucharist. Paschasius Radbertus (ca. 790–ca. 865) and Ratramnus (d. after 868), both monks from royal monastery at Corbie in Neustria, composed entitled De corpore et sanguine domini . 1 That these were very first Latin Christian devoted solely to Eucharist and, further, that they came different conclusions, has attracted well-earned scholarly scrutiny almost immediately their appearance. I would like return question difference between views. Specifically, will show doctrinal differences have roots approaches to, or—perhaps better—interests in, sacraments general. The authors do not take opposed positions topic sacraments, or even mutually contradicting Eucharist, rather choose emphasize aspects sacrament, guiding themes which suggest each lines analysis. sees primarily as instruments unity, while views principally salvific tools. This recognition yields insights. It recalibrates analysis eucharistic tracts, foregrounding contemporary concerns authors, deliberately deemphasizing subsequent theological controversies debates into drawn. For Ratramnus, distinctive color only analyses but also larger political social questions. emphasizes vibrance creativity characteristic milieu, too often dismissed a supposedly derivative unoriginal era theology. To ends, paper proceed four stages. First, situate my long historiography treatises. Second, briefly set historical context. Third, compare ‘sacramental’ theologies underscoring Paschasius's emphasis its horizontal communal significance Ratramnus's stress vertical importance. Fourth, trace how author's particular sacramental interests remain consistent across other projects with ramifications for opinions.
Harvard Theological Review