20. Rufinus: A Commentary on the Apostles' Creed (Ancient Christian Writers) [Hardcover]

J.N.D. Kelly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1978 | Series: Ancient Christian Writers (Book 20)

His most important work, aimed at persons under instruction for the sacraments, the Commentary offers a guide to elucidating and justifying the Creed. It offers a glimpse of popular Christian propaganda at the beginning of the fifth century.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (January 1, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809102579
• ISBN-13: 978-0809102570
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,667,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Believe, May 9, 2007

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benjamin (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: 20. Rufinus: A Commentary on the Apostles' Creed (Ancient Christian Writers) (Hardcover)

The Apostles' Creed is one of the most ancient liturgical texts within the history of Christianity. Although its precise origins are not known - it was attributed to the Apostles in late antiquity - it likely dates to the 2nd or 3rd century. It appears that there were several variants of the Apostles' Creed; this particular commentary dates from around 404 CE, and works off of the Roman version. This latter point is particularly important, for whereas the Apostles' Creed has since been standardized, in the early 5th century there were still some minor variations on this Creed. Rufinus' own theological exposition comes straight out of the very language of the Roman version - although he notes differences between the Roman version and that held by the Greeks (ie, the Eastern Church, which would later call itself the Orthodox Church).

For Rufinus, there are three articles in the Creed - the first pertaining to the Father, the second to the Son and the third to the Holy Spirit - each of which consists of multiple clauses. The Commentary is an exposition of each article and the clauses contained within it. Rufinus believes the Creed itself to have been composed by the Apostles (ch. 2) and that it had survived entirely intact since their time in the Church of Rome (ch. 3). The method of explanation employed depends upon tradition, apologetics and Scriptural proof-texts.

It should be noted that in accord with early Christian methods of interpretation, Rufinus does not reduce the Biblical text to its "plain sense"; in Old Testament writings he sees prophecies pertaining to eh Christian message, in some of St. Paul's more ambiguous statements he sees references to the Cross of Christ. What we are given, then, at points, is a reading of historical events through Scripture where both are presupposed to be filled with symbolic meaning. Specifically, St. Paul's words pertaining to "the height and the depth and the breadth" is understood by Rufinus to pertain to the Cross: "The portion of [the cross] which was fixed in the earth was the depth. By height he meant the part which stretches above the earth and towers upwards, by breadth the parts which extend outwards to the right hand and to the left" (ch. 14). The cross as a historical event takes on cosmic significance through a symbolic interpretation grounded in Scripture. Although some readers might find such interpretation to be imaginative - at best, ridiculous at worst - such a way of "reading" history and Scripture and, indeed, the various objects in the world ought to be taken seriously, for it was the worldview of the early Christians - one which many lived and died for. Within this framework, the very material elements of salvation history are given the greatest spiritual significance. It's a view well worth thinking about.

J. N. D. Kelley's introduction is nothing short of phenomenal. Not only does he include the Roman version of the Apostles' Creed, but the Aquilean version as well, noting the differences between the two and the ways in which the history of transmission and reception played itself out in the early Church. He notes, as well, how Rufinus' view of the Biblical canon seems to have largely depended upon that given by the Greek Father St. Athanasius the Great - although Athanasius included some books that Rufinus exluded, and Rufinus included some books that Athanasius included. They both, however, included the same three additional books - The Shepherd of Hermas, The Two Ways (which is likely the same as the Didache), and The Judgment of Peter (which is now lost) - in the New Testament under the section "Ecclesiastical Books" (that is, books accepted as helpful for instruction, but not for the composition of doctrine - a category that Anglicans, for instance, would apply to what those books now called the Apocryphal or Deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament). The history of the canonization of the Biblical books is absolutely fascinating, and Rufinus provides some very interesting information on this matter.

This is a wonderful book. At its most basic level it is a fine work of catechesis (teaching) - which Rufinus intended it to be. The major themes of the Trinity and supporting themes such as the Church, the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection of the dead are all touched upon in a clear and concise manner. As a historical work, it also contains much of interest; it is not just the devil that is in the details, but worldviews as well - and coming into contact with these worldviews will open up the reader's eyes to both the past and the present. Reading it both as a catechetical and a historical work will put the reader in touch with something of the height, breadth and depth of the Church's tradition - something that Rufinus no doubt would have been also pleased with. Although I trust that Rufinus would have held that this has to do with subject matter and not his own skill, I think it is probably a little bit of both. This book is highly recommended.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Resource, May 24, 2009

By 

D. K. Smith (Fresno, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 20. Rufinus: A Commentary on the Apostles' Creed (Ancient Christian Writers) (Hardcover)

This is a most excellent resource on the formation of the creed. I recommend it highly. It is a worthwhile read.