Divine medicine in Ambrose of Milan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34096/petm.v45.n2.14176
Keywords: Ambrose of Milan, Salvation, Physician, Medication, Sick

Abstract

Healing gestures made by Jesus of Nazareth during his public ministry have resulted in many approaches in the patristic period, especially in the field of soteriology. In the fourth century, we find Ambrose of Milan who, in several of his writings, presented the historical-salvific dynamic in the light of various elements taken from the practice of medicine. His rich metaphors offer a multifaceted reflection on how Christ works salvation among men. This article examines Ambrose’s concept of divine medicine from three perspectives. First, it explores the figure of Christ the Physician, who manifests his kindness in favor of human being sick because of sin. Second, it delves into Ambrose’s elucidation of spiritual remedies, specifically the word of God, the eucharist and penance. Finally, the article discusses the patient’s attitude towards the doctor and the spiritual treatments, whose attitudes have consequences on the recovery or non-recovery of health. In this way, the “doctor-remedy-patient” triad scrutinized in the Ambrosian writings provides a comprehensive view of the soteriological reality in the light of spiritual medicine, which, in short, presents Christ the Doctor who came down from heaven bringing the remedy of salvation to humanity wounded by sin.

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References

Fontes

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Published
2024-08-21
How to Cite
Benedito, A. L. (2024). Divine medicine in Ambrose of Milan. Patristica Et Mediævalia, 45(2), 19-35. https://doi.org/10.34096/petm.v45.n2.14176
Issue
Vol 45 No 2 (2024)
Section
Articles

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