From the University to the Order. Study of the Bible and Preaching against Heresy in the first Generation of Dominicans at Bologna

This paper looks at the life and works of three famous friars in the first generation of Dominicans in Bologna, namely Paul the Hungarian, Moneta of Cremona, and Roland of Cremona. Their biographies show striking similarities regarding their academic training and their activities in the new Order. Biblical exegesis and preaching were closely linked in their work. They shared the common primary concern of the Order of fighting heresies, while developing different methodologies and choosing different literary styles to pursue this anti-heretical program. Roland of Cremona’s contribution receives greater attention, since the relation between studying the Bible and preaching in his work as efforts to refute heresies was more deliberate than in his fellows, as can be seen in his Postilla in Iob. Despite his insistence of ceaseless preaching against the errors, he was convinced that discussions with the enemies of faith where fruitless and should be avoided. After the first generation of Preachers and with the growth of the Inquisition, the preaching activity ceased to be the preferred weapon of Dominicans fighting heretics. This had consequences also for the “functional” study of the Bible.