THEODULF OF ORLÉANS
(ca. 760–821). Born in Spain of Visigothic parents, Theodulf became a member of the
Carolingian court in the latter part of the 8th century. He was abbot of Saint-Benoît-sur-
Loire and then Saint-Aignan before becoming bishop of Orléans. Removed from
episcopal office for plotting against Louis the Pious, he was exiled to Angers in 817.
Among his theological writings is a defense of the filioque (the procession of the Holy
Spirit from both Father and Son) in the Creed, a work on baptism, and possibly
expositions of the Creed and the Mass. Theodulf concerned himself with producing a
corrected text of the Vulgate Bible, even consulting (or inspiring his disciples to consult)
a Hebrew text. However, his corrected text had little influence; Alcuin’s Bible would be
the accepted Vulgate text of the Carolingian period. Theodulf was a poet of note,
composing verses for various occasions and purposes: an introduction to his Bible text; a
description of a plaque portraying the seven Liberal Arts, virtues, etc.; vivid descriptions
of personalities at Charlemagne’s court; and religious poetry, including hymns. While
bishop of Orléans, Theodulf ordered priests to establish schools for the instruction of
children, gave attention to the liturgy, and showed a deep appreciation of art and its
essential role in the church. As author of the Libri Carolini, Theodulf responded to
Byzantine icon veneration as sanctioned by the Second Council of Nicaea (787).
Grover A.Zinn
[See also: CAROLINGIAN ART; GERMIGNY-DES-PRÉS; LATIN POETRY,
CAROLINGIAN; LIBRI CAROLINI]
Theodulf of Orléans. Opera omnia. PL 105.187–380.
Freeman, Ann. “Theodulf of Orléans and the Libri Carolini.” Speculum 32(1957):664–705.
THEOLOGY
. Term from the Greek, Θεoλoγία, (“theologia”), “the knowledge of God.” For Christians,
theology proceeds from “evidence” provided by God via forms of revelation—biblical,
experiential, creational. The classic medieval statement of the nature of theology is
Anselm of Bec’s “faith seeking understanding” (fides quaerens intellectum), which
illustrates both the medieval given starting point of religious belief and simultaneously
the trust in reason, “understanding,” as a way to God. Theological orthodoxy is decided
by the consensus of the community of the faithful. In the Christian case, this was settled
at general councils of the church, which considered and formulated statements about the
nature of God and God’s relationship with Creation and pronounced on their validity.
Sources of theology are various and debated among theologians. The Bible stands in a
unique place as the authoritative word of God and holds primacy among means of
revelation. However, God is believed not to be limited to revelation to those intelligent or
learned enough to be able to read Scripture and interpret it, using the tools of reason.
Hence, there has always been a special place in Christian theology for direct revelation—
The Encyclopedia 1717