The Patristic Sources of Eriugena’s Exegesis of the Parable of the Bridesmaid

Eriugena’s thought is traditionally interpreted as the result of the encounter between East and West. Using the parable of Matth. 25:1-13 as a case study, this article’s aim is to determine the extent of this statement’s truth. This parable was commented on by many Western theologians, most famously by Augustine, but also Ambrose, Gregory the Great and Bede. Contrariwise, most Eastern theologians – e.g. Origen, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa – partially overlooked this text. Western exegesis certainly influenced Eriugena, but his use of these sources appears highly selective. However, while he frequently quotes Western sources, especially Augustine, his allegorical bridal imagery is more akin to the eastern exegesis. To demonstrate my argument, I will compare Eriugena’s exegesis of the parable’s main images, such as the lamps, the oil and the sleep, with previous patristic interpretations. In addition, given that the parable was used in eschatological discourses, I will also investigate Eriugena’s eschatology. In conclusion, Eriugena uses the parable, a gospel text suggesting an exclusive soteriology, to symbolise his idea of universal salvation; and such an unexpected exegesis can be explained only through his original use of patristic sources