Abstract
Although the Our Father was, as Robert Hill observed, the prayer for John Chrysostom, his reflections on the Lord's Prayer have received little attention. On first glance, the neglect is hardly surprising. Inasmuch as his comments reiterate typical themes for the late fourth-century preacher (communal solidarity, spiritual goods, ethical action, and recollection of the judgment), they do not seem especially novel or arresting. When read, however, as a response to his listeners’ assumptions, Chrysostom's words take on added interest: they allow us a rare glimpse into the beliefs and practices of “ordinary” lay Christians. Although they too recited the Lord's Prayer—perhaps daily—they were not focused on personal ethical reformation or on future invisible things. For them, prayer was a means to protect their household and to secure immediate, tangible goods; their practice included the use of amulets, oaths, and curses. It is this outlook, more familiar to us from the material record than from the teachings of the church fathers, that illuminates Chrysostom's comments on the Lord's Prayer. Because he hoped to shift his listeners’ views, he attached his most characteristic themes to the prayer attributed to Jesus. The familiarity of these teachings, far from being a weakness, shows the strength of Chrysostom's pedagogical program.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call