Reading Augustine’s Reading Augustine’s ConfessionsConfessions

TCC IAP 2008TCC IAP 2008

Dr. Ann OrlandoDr. Ann Orlando

OutlineOutline

Why Read Augustine?Why Read Augustine? Augustine’s Life and WorksAugustine’s Life and Works Introduction to Introduction to ConfessionsConfessions Background on Books I - IVBackground on Books I - IV

Importance of AugustineImportance of Augustine To Western Theology and Philosophy To Western Theology and Philosophy

Cannot Be OverstatedCannot Be Overstated For Western Christianity, he is the For Western Christianity, he is the

most important theologian from this most important theologian from this periodperiod Arguably the most important theologian Arguably the most important theologian

from any periodfrom any period Every serious Western theologian Every serious Western theologian

after Augustine must in some way after Augustine must in some way ‘deal’ with Augustine‘deal’ with Augustine

Critical and Defining Issues for Critical and Defining Issues for AugustineAugustine

TheodicyTheodicy EpistemologyEpistemology SacramentsSacraments Theology of TrinityTheology of Trinity EcclesiologyEcclesiology JustificationJustification Primacy of lovePrimacy of love

ExamplesExamples Augustine was the standard for doctrinal truth and theological method Augustine was the standard for doctrinal truth and theological method

throughout the Middle Agesthroughout the Middle Ages Aquinas (13Aquinas (13thth C) runs into trouble because C) runs into trouble because

He seems to abandon Augustine’s theological method (Neoplatonism) for He seems to abandon Augustine’s theological method (Neoplatonism) for AristotelianismAristotelianism

But also because of primacy of intellect over willBut also because of primacy of intellect over will Open any page of ST and see number of references to AugustineOpen any page of ST and see number of references to Augustine

Renaissance begins when Petrarch reads Renaissance begins when Petrarch reads ConfessionsConfessions Luther and Calvin claim Augustine for themselves in opposition to Luther and Calvin claim Augustine for themselves in opposition to

ScholasticismScholasticism Galileo tries to defend himself using Augustine (especially the Galileo tries to defend himself using Augustine (especially the Confessions)Confessions) Early Modernity rejects Augustine’s definition of man as part of societyEarly Modernity rejects Augustine’s definition of man as part of society

HobbesHobbes LockeLocke

Enlightenment rejection of Christianity is specifically a rejection of AugustineEnlightenment rejection of Christianity is specifically a rejection of Augustine RousseauRousseau VoltaireVoltaire DiderotDiderot

Existentialists of 20Existentialists of 20thth C continue campaign specifically against Augustine; C continue campaign specifically against Augustine; Albert Camus Albert Camus The PlagueThe Plague

Charles Freeman, Charles Freeman, The Closing of the Western MindThe Closing of the Western Mind Recent new translations of and ‘popular’ interest in Augustine: New City Recent new translations of and ‘popular’ interest in Augustine: New City

Press; J.J. O’Donnell, Garry WillsPress; J.J. O’Donnell, Garry Wills Pope Benedict XVI has defined himself, and is often referred to as, an Pope Benedict XVI has defined himself, and is often referred to as, an

Augustinian theologianAugustinian theologian

Brief Biographical SketchBrief Biographical Sketch Born near Carthage in 354 to a devoutly Catholic Born near Carthage in 354 to a devoutly Catholic

mother (St. Monica) and worldly father (Patrick)mother (St. Monica) and worldly father (Patrick) In youth leads a life of pleasure searching for happinessIn youth leads a life of pleasure searching for happiness

Flirts with ManichaeismFlirts with Manichaeism Becomes enamored with Platonism (Plotinus)Becomes enamored with Platonism (Plotinus)

Conversion to Catholic ChristianityConversion to Catholic Christianity Ordained priest 391, bishop of Hippo 395Ordained priest 391, bishop of Hippo 395 Died on 28 August 430Died on 28 August 430 Peter Brown’s book Peter Brown’s book Augustine of Hippo Augustine of Hippo remains the remains the

most important biography of Augustine in Englishmost important biography of Augustine in English Be sure to get the New Edition with EpilogueBe sure to get the New Edition with Epilogue Discusses discovery of 12 previously unstudied letters Discusses discovery of 12 previously unstudied letters

and sermons of Augustine (396-404)and sermons of Augustine (396-404)

What did Augustine Look What did Augustine Look Like?Like?

Augustine being baptized by Benozzo Gozzoli http://www.wf-f.org/StAugustine.html

Metropolitan Museum of Art Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.metmuseum.org/thttp://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/05/afe/ho_18.9.2.htmoah/ho/05/afe/ho_18.9.2.htm

Augustine’s WorksAugustine’s Works Augustine’s friend and biographer, Possidius, catalogued Augustine’s friend and biographer, Possidius, catalogued

Augustine's works after his death and observed that no Augustine's works after his death and observed that no one would be able to read them allone would be able to read them all

Among the vitally important worksAmong the vitally important works Against the AcademicsAgainst the Academics On Free WillOn Free Will ConfessionsConfessions On the TrinityOn the Trinity City of GodCity of God On Christian TeachingOn Christian Teaching Retractions concerningRetractions concerning On Free Will On Free Will

Nearly innumerable letters, treatises, homilies, Nearly innumerable letters, treatises, homilies, commentariescommentaries

Commentary, expositions, sermons on PsalmsCommentary, expositions, sermons on Psalms

Introduction to Introduction to ConfessionsConfessions

Written shortly after Augustine was named Written shortly after Augustine was named bishop of Hippo (395-398)bishop of Hippo (395-398)

Written at the request of his friend Paulinus Written at the request of his friend Paulinus of Nola; 11 years after his baptismof Nola; 11 years after his baptism It is Augustine the bishop reflecting in middle It is Augustine the bishop reflecting in middle

age on events in his youth; age on events in his youth; It is not telling the story of his youth; it is a It is not telling the story of his youth; it is a

reflectionreflection May have been written as a defense against May have been written as a defense against

charge that Augustine was still a Manicheancharge that Augustine was still a Manichean Became an instant best sellerBecame an instant best seller

Confessions Confessions as Prayeras Prayer

Confessio: both ‘accusation of Confessio: both ‘accusation of oneself and praise for God’ oneself and praise for God’ Sermon Sermon 67.267.2

It is first and foremost a prayer, not It is first and foremost a prayer, not an autobiography; an autobiography; The work is addressed to GodThe work is addressed to God

There should be an AMEN at end of There should be an AMEN at end of Book XIIIBook XIII

Which Translation Should You Which Translation Should You Read?Read?

Henry Chadwick, Oxford University Henry Chadwick, Oxford University Press, 1991Press, 1991

Mary Boulding, New City Press, 1997Mary Boulding, New City Press, 1997 But please do not use translation But please do not use translation

available on the Web. It is very available on the Web. It is very turgid, plotting Victorian English.turgid, plotting Victorian English.

StructureStructure

Division of 13 Books is Augustine’s Division of 13 Books is Augustine’s divisiondivision

Usually considered in two parts:Usually considered in two parts: Augustine’s past (I-IX)Augustine’s past (I-IX) Augustine's present (X-XIII)Augustine's present (X-XIII)

NB: The last 4 books (Part 2) are an NB: The last 4 books (Part 2) are an integral part of the wholeintegral part of the whole

Structure of Part 1Structure of Part 1

Can be viewed as a chiasmCan be viewed as a chiasm Book I: From God; birth and relationship of infant with motherBook I: From God; birth and relationship of infant with mother

Book II: Bondage of FleshBook II: Bondage of Flesh Book III: Slavery of eyes and mind; problem of evilBook III: Slavery of eyes and mind; problem of evil

Book IV Ambition of WorldBook IV Ambition of World Book V Encounter with Faustus, Manichaeism, Book V Encounter with Faustus, Manichaeism,

philosophy; moving from Carthage to Romephilosophy; moving from Carthage to Rome Book VI: Recognition of emptiness of world’s ambitionBook VI: Recognition of emptiness of world’s ambition

Book VII: Freedom of mind; resolution of problem of evilBook VII: Freedom of mind; resolution of problem of evil Book VIII: Liberation from bondage of fleshBook VIII: Liberation from bondage of flesh

Book IX: Relation to Monica, her death, return to GodBook IX: Relation to Monica, her death, return to God

Structure of Part 2Structure of Part 2

Book X: Augustine the Bishop at the end of his reflection on Book X: Augustine the Bishop at the end of his reflection on his youth, meditates on his youth, meditates on Memory and knowledgeMemory and knowledge SinSin

Book XI: Augustine the Bishop meditates onBook XI: Augustine the Bishop meditates on ““In the beginning”In the beginning” What is TimeWhat is Time

Book XII: Augustine the Bishop meditates on Book XII: Augustine the Bishop meditates on ““God created the heavens and the earth”God created the heavens and the earth” How to interpret Scripture and authorial intentHow to interpret Scripture and authorial intent

Book XIII: Augustine the Bishop meditates on Book XIII: Augustine the Bishop meditates on TrinityTrinity ChurchChurch

NB: Augustine uses the word ‘confessions’ more often in NB: Augustine uses the word ‘confessions’ more often in these last four than the previous nine booksthese last four than the previous nine books

Program for Next Three Program for Next Three SessionsSessions

Discuss Books I – IV on Monday, Jan 14Discuss Books I – IV on Monday, Jan 14 Discuss Books V-VIII on Monday, Jan 21Discuss Books V-VIII on Monday, Jan 21 Discuss Books IX- X, selections of XI Discuss Books IX- X, selections of XI

Jan 28Jan 28 The Monday before each discussion The Monday before each discussion

Lecture a bit on some of the background Lecture a bit on some of the background helpful in reading for the next weekhelpful in reading for the next week

Suggest themes to look for in readingSuggest themes to look for in reading

Background for Books I - IVBackground for Books I - IV

Late Antiquity and the Roman EmpireLate Antiquity and the Roman Empire Political situationPolitical situation Philosophical schoolsPhilosophical schools

Status of Catholic ChurchStatus of Catholic Church Most potent heresy of 4Most potent heresy of 4thth Century: Arianism Century: Arianism Books of the BibleBooks of the Bible

The New Religion of the Period: The New Religion of the Period: ManichaeismManichaeism Problem of theodicyProblem of theodicy

Map of Roman EmpireMap of Roman Empirewww.fsmitha.com/h1/map18rm.htmwww.fsmitha.com/h1/map18rm.htm

Social Situation Social Situation Fourth CenturyFourth Century

One of THE most important events in history One of THE most important events in history happens in 4happens in 4thth Century: conversion of Roman Century: conversion of Roman Empire to ChristianityEmpire to Christianity

At the beginning of the Fourth Century, worst At the beginning of the Fourth Century, worst persecution of Christians (Emperor Diocletian)persecution of Christians (Emperor Diocletian)

Constantine the Great attributes his victory at the Constantine the Great attributes his victory at the Milvian Bridge (312) in Rome to ChristianityMilvian Bridge (312) in Rome to Christianity After Constantine, large numbers of people become After Constantine, large numbers of people become

ChristiansChristians By the end of the century, Christianity declared By the end of the century, Christianity declared

official religion of Roman Empire by Theodosius official religion of Roman Empire by Theodosius the Great (381)the Great (381)

Political and Military Political and Military SituationSituation

At beginning of 4At beginning of 4thth Century, Empire united under Century, Empire united under Diocletian and ConstantineDiocletian and Constantine

Throughout 4Throughout 4thth Century civil wars among Century civil wars among Constantine’s sons and successorsConstantine’s sons and successors

Theodosius the Great reunites the EmpireTheodosius the Great reunites the Empire Last Emperor of ‘entire’ Roman EmpireLast Emperor of ‘entire’ Roman Empire

Barbarian invasions begin in West late 4Barbarian invasions begin in West late 4thth C, key C, key moment is sack of Rome in 410moment is sack of Rome in 410

Empire become divided East (capitol, Empire become divided East (capitol, Constantinople) and West (capitol, Rome)Constantinople) and West (capitol, Rome) Western Roman Empire ceases to exist 476Western Roman Empire ceases to exist 476 Eastern Roman Empire ceased to exist 1453Eastern Roman Empire ceased to exist 1453

Status of Catholic ChurchStatus of Catholic Church

In this period, no distinction between Catholic (West) and In this period, no distinction between Catholic (West) and Orthodox (East)Orthodox (East)

Becomes ‘politically expedient’ to join ChurchBecomes ‘politically expedient’ to join Church Most potent Christian heresy: ArianismMost potent Christian heresy: Arianism

Belief that Christ was made by Father; not divine as Father is Belief that Christ was made by Father; not divine as Father is divinedivine

Council of Nicea (325) called to combat Arianism; CreedCouncil of Nicea (325) called to combat Arianism; Creed By end of 4By end of 4thth Century Arianism no longer a threat within Roman Century Arianism no longer a threat within Roman

EmpireEmpire Another dangerous heresy: DonatismAnother dangerous heresy: Donatism

Prevalent in 4Prevalent in 4thth Century North Africa Century North Africa Believed in strict Christian disciplineBelieved in strict Christian discipline Efficacy of sacraments depended on holiness of ministerEfficacy of sacraments depended on holiness of minister Augustine was main foe of DonatistsAugustine was main foe of Donatists

BibleBible

Prior to 4Prior to 4thth Century, many different views within Century, many different views within Christianity about what is sacred scriptureChristianity about what is sacred scripture

Old Testament in or out? Some wanted to reject Old Old Testament in or out? Some wanted to reject Old Testament completelyTestament completely God seems angry, vengeful, anthropomorphicGod seems angry, vengeful, anthropomorphic Notion develops that creator god is evil and opposed to Notion develops that creator god is evil and opposed to

spiritual good godspiritual good god Which books of New Testament? Some want to Which books of New Testament? Some want to

severely restrict books, some want to include other severely restrict books, some want to include other booksbooks

How to interpret the Bible, especially the Old How to interpret the Bible, especially the Old Testament (more on this next week)Testament (more on this next week) LiterallyLiterally AllegoricallyAllegorically

ManichaeismManichaeism

Founded by Mani, Persian, mid-Third CenturyFounded by Mani, Persian, mid-Third Century Mani saw himself as the incarnation of the Holy SpiritMani saw himself as the incarnation of the Holy Spirit Established a new religion that was a potent mix of Christianity, Established a new religion that was a potent mix of Christianity,

Zoroastrianism, and HinduismZoroastrianism, and Hinduism Mani killed by Persians in 276 ADMani killed by Persians in 276 AD

Key belief: try to solve theodicy problem (how can there be a good Key belief: try to solve theodicy problem (how can there be a good creator God, and suffering and evil) with 2 godscreator God, and suffering and evil) with 2 gods

Material world evil, creator god evilMaterial world evil, creator god evil Spiritual world goodSpiritual world good

Fully initiated Manichaeans led austere livesFully initiated Manichaeans led austere lives VegetariansVegetarians ChasteChaste Completely rejected materialCompletely rejected material

Many people become Manichean ‘hearers’ or catechumensMany people become Manichean ‘hearers’ or catechumens Reputation for being elite, intellectualReputation for being elite, intellectual

Partial Glossary of Partial Glossary of People and Things in Books I - People and Things in Books I -

IVIV Plato (d. 347 BC): Greek philosopher, student of Socrates; wrote Plato (d. 347 BC): Greek philosopher, student of Socrates; wrote

many famous dialogs; emphasis on reality beyond materialmany famous dialogs; emphasis on reality beyond material Aristotle (d. 322 BC): Greek philosopher, student of Plato; Aristotle (d. 322 BC): Greek philosopher, student of Plato;

emphasis on empiricism, logic; what can be known about emphasis on empiricism, logic; what can be known about observed realityobserved reality

Cicero (d. 43 BC): Orator (lawyer, politician), very influential Latin Cicero (d. 43 BC): Orator (lawyer, politician), very influential Latin treatises; known for elegant use of languagetreatises; known for elegant use of language

Virgil (d. 17 BC): Roman poet who tells the story of the founding of Virgil (d. 17 BC): Roman poet who tells the story of the founding of Rome by Trojan Aeneas after fall of TroyRome by Trojan Aeneas after fall of Troy

Story of Aeneas and Dido: Found in Virgil; Aeneas loves and leaves Story of Aeneas and Dido: Found in Virgil; Aeneas loves and leaves Dido on his way to found Rome after Trojan WarDido on his way to found Rome after Trojan War

Seneca (d. 65 AD): Roman Stoic philosopherSeneca (d. 65 AD): Roman Stoic philosopher Plotinus (d. 270 AD): mid-Third Century philosopher, founder of Plotinus (d. 270 AD): mid-Third Century philosopher, founder of

Neoplatonism, very influential on Augustine (more next week)Neoplatonism, very influential on Augustine (more next week) Greek: The universal language (not Latin) across the Roman Greek: The universal language (not Latin) across the Roman

Empire; exceptions are laws and military administration in LatinEmpire; exceptions are laws and military administration in Latin

Some Things To Look For Some Things To Look For As you ReadAs you Read

Are babies cute and innocent? What might Are babies cute and innocent? What might this imply about human nature?this imply about human nature?

How do friends effect our actions?How do friends effect our actions? Why doesn’t Augustine like the Old Why doesn’t Augustine like the Old

Testament?Testament? Where does he think he will find happiness?Where does he think he will find happiness? How is Augustine ‘modern’?How is Augustine ‘modern’? Notice that he is always asking questionsNotice that he is always asking questions

Two Web ResourcesTwo Web Resources

Three Volume Commentary (Latin Three Volume Commentary (Latin text, English descriptions) on text, English descriptions) on Confessions Confessions by JJ O’Donnell, by JJ O’Donnell, http://www.stoa.org/hippo/http://www.stoa.org/hippo/

Online Cliff Notes, Online Cliff Notes, http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/St-http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/St-Augustine-s-Confessions.id-166,pageNum-1.htmlAugustine-s-Confessions.id-166,pageNum-1.html