A Page Concerning Theology and Exegesis, Mostly Mediaeval

From 9 to 5 most week days, I work as a palaeographer, Latinist, and general research associate and editor at the Records of Early English Drama project at Victoria College in the University of Toronto. It's a great job in a wonderful working environment doing interesting things which my training at the University of Toronto and the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies prepared me for. But in my "real life," I study the history of scriptural commentaries during the Middle Ages and am a keen amateur of New Testament Studies. Recently, I've added family history to the mix. This home page reflects my exegetical interests and is divided into three parts. A new genealogy page allows me to share the on-going results of that research.

First, the present page contains a paper on Rupert of Deutz, an important 12th-century Benedictine scriptural commentator, and his commentary on John's Gospel, based on my 1984 University of Toronto doctoral thesis. Second, a group of translations of Latin texts by Rupert, St Hildegard of Bingen, and her last secretary, Guibert of Gembloux. I have also posted the texts of several sermons and a meditation preached at the Church of the Redeemer (Anglican Church of Canada) at Avenue Road and Bloor Street in Toronto, Ontario. Also available are Bible study materials some presented as part of our parish's adult Christian education programme, including a Bible FAQ for newcomers, two short courses (one on the idea of covenant and the other on the I AM passages in the Gospel of John), and the text of a lecture on John's Gospel as part of our Telling the Story series. I hope that some people will find parts of this page worth reading or even worth quoting. If so, I ask that you let me know and that you respect my copyright in the various writings and translations here. My e-mail address is abigail.young@utoronto.ca.

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A short C.V. --

Academic History

• B.A.(Honours Latin), 1973, University of Texas at Austin
• M.A.(Classical Languages), 1974, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
• M.A.(Late Ancient History), 1975, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
• Licenciate in Medieval Studies, Theology Section, 1981, Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, St Michael's College, University of Toronto (Research Report: "An Edition and Study of the Praefatio of Alexander of Hales' Postilla in Iohannem")
• Ph.D.(Medieval Studies), 1984, University of Toronto (Thesis: "The Commentaria in Iohannis Euangelium of Rupert of Deutz: A Methodological Analysis in the Field of Twelfth Century Exegesis" )

Publications

• "Ambrosius Aurelianus," Dictionary of the Middle Ages
• Latin Glossaries in REED: York, Chester, Coventry, Norwich 1540-1642, Cumberland/Westmorland/Gloucester, Devon, Cambridge, Herefordshire/Worcestershire, Lancashire, Shropshire, Somerset, Bristol, Dorset/Cornwall, Sussex, Kent, Wales, Oxford, and Cheshire (Toronto: 1978-2007)
• Latin Translations in REED: York, Chester, Coventry, Norwich 1540-1642, Cumberland/Westmorland/Gloucester, Devon, Cambridge, Herfordshire/Worcestershire, Shropshire, Somerset, Bristol, Dorset/Cornwall, Sussex, and Wales (Toronto: 1978-2005)
• "Plays and Players: The Latin Terms for Performance," REED Newsletter 1984:2(part 1 of 2), 1985.1(part 2 of 2) "Accessus ad Alexandrum: An Edition and Study of the Praefatio to Alexander of Hales' Postilla in Iohannis Euangelium," Mediaeval Studies, 1990. "Minstrels and Minstrelsy: household entertainers or instrumentalists?" REED Newsletter 1995:1
• "Theatre-Going Nuns in Rural Devon?" REED Newsletter 1997:2
• Work in Progress: A full edition of Alexander of Hales' Postilla in Iohannis Euangelium

Conference Papers

• "A Provincial Cleric and the 'Book of Sports'," with Professor Peter Greenfield, 1983 Medieval Congress, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• "'Grace for grace:' St Augustine and Rupert of Deutz on John 1.16a," 1984 Medieval Congress, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• "Rupert of Deutz and the Jews," 1985 Medieval Congress, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Note on Pontifical Institute Licentiate course

The Licentiate (MSL) is an unusual degree and its requirements and course work may need some explanation. Students must choose a section in which to study and two minor areas (which will correspond to the major and two minor fields required for the PhD). Most of the courses in the theology section were also cross-listed with the Toronto School of Theology and the Institute for Christian Thought. Knowledge of modern theological and exegetical issues pertinent to the topic of a course was not required but was encouraged. The course work undertaken for my licentiate included a course in the history of biblical exegesis; courses in the exegesis and theology of Scotus Eriugena; courses on soteriology and spirituality in the teaching of St Thomas Aquinas and his contemporaries; and courses in pre-Reformation canon law, clerical education, and pastoral care.

A formal disclaimer -- The Centre for Computing in the Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) kindly provides facilities to humanities researchers for e-mail and other forms of Internet access. I am grateful to be able to take advantage of those facilities to make this material accessible on the Web. However, CHASS is in no way responsible or liable for anything contained within these writings: that responsibility lies entirely with me, the copyright holder. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please write to me at "abigail.young@utoronto.ca".

Abigail Ann Young, February 2008