Hildegard of Bingen’s Theology

doi:10.1017/9781108573832.005

Chapter 4 - Hildegard of Bingen’s Theology

from Part II - Writings and Reputation

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 October 2021

James Ginther

Edited by

Jennifer Bain

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Jennifer Bain: Affiliation:
Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia

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Summary

Conceptualizing Hildegard of Bingen as a theologian has been impeded by a pervading focus on her visionary status. The author provides a fruitful reassessment of Hildegard’s theology by contextualizing her writings along three coordinates: the authoritative texts she cites, the institutional environment in which theological discussion takes place, and the audience to whom the theology is directed. Her responsibility as magistra of her community led her to construct her trilogy of visions – Scivias, Liber vitae meritorum, and Liber divinorum operum – not just as visionary writings for the broader church but as a structured theological system to aid her nuns pedagogically. Analysis of her writings reveals a systematic methodology of theological instruction, including her use of classical rhetoric; additionally, her concerns for her nuns’ spiritual welfare are reflected in a customized presentation of theological topics. Ultimately, understanding Hildegard’s theology as a direct response to her immediate community reframes it and highlights its similarities to twelfth-century methods of theological instruction.

Keywords

Hildegard of Bingen theology memory pedagogy Scivias Liber divinorum operum Liber vitae meritorum Rupertsberg Disibodenberg Guibert of Gembloux

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge Companion to Hildegard of Bingen , pp. 85 - 104

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108573832.005 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2021

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References

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