Towards A Theological Understanding of Muirchú’s Vita Patricii

Abstract

This thesis aims to theologically interpret Muirchú’s Vita Patricii by virtue of its content and structure while situating it within the wider spiritual landscape of its time of composition. While previous theological studies of Muirchú’s Life have focused on specific sections, the present study examines the Life as a whole and seeks to outline a theological vision which Muirchú endeavours to communicate to his audience. To accomplish this, a set of theologically driven questions are posed, such as: how does the content and structure undergird the theological message? Can a central theme be identified within the text that would unify both the structure and theological meaning? What may the spiritual impact of this have been upon the original audience? To fulfil the aims of this study a mixed-methodological approach is used which first analyses the text via discourse analysis and comparative analysis, then sets the text within its literary and historical context by looking at biblical allusions and hagiographical motifs, and finally, demonstrates how each section connects to the theological vision of the Life and how the implications therein could be received by the perceived audience. Through the implementation of the mixed-methodological approach, it is shown how the theme of the coming of the Kingdom of God and the subsequent reversal of the curse undergirds and informs the narrative and structure of the Life. Additionally, a variety of suggestions are given as to how the audience would have responded to Muirchú’s theological vision as a gens electi