Reading Augustine’s Reading Augustine’s ConfessionsConfessions

Lecture 3: Books III and IVLecture 3: Books III and IV

Dr. Ann T. OrlandoDr. Ann T. Orlando

Books III and IVBooks III and IV

Historical contextHistorical context Reading the TextReading the Text Influence Influence

Historical Background Historical Background

CiceroCicero Rhetoric as a careerRhetoric as a career AristotleAristotle Theodicy problemTheodicy problem ManicheansManicheans Early Understanding of ScriptureEarly Understanding of Scripture

CiceroCicero106 – 43 BC106 – 43 BC

Great Roman rhetoricianGreat Roman rhetorician Engaged in Republican politicsEngaged in Republican politics Engaged in philosophyEngaged in philosophy

Philosophical influences on CiceroPhilosophical influences on Cicero New Academy: Platonism with an emaphsis on New Academy: Platonism with an emaphsis on

skepticismskepticism Stoicism: Belief in providence, natural lawStoicism: Belief in providence, natural law

Impact on AugustineImpact on Augustine HortensiusHortensius or or Exhortation to Philosophy Exhortation to Philosophy (now lost)(now lost) On FriendshipOn Friendship On the Orator On the Orator and other works on rhetoricand other works on rhetoric

Philosophy as a Way of LifePhilosophy as a Way of Life

Various philosophical schools in antiquity were dedicated Various philosophical schools in antiquity were dedicated to showing people (adults) how to lead their livesto showing people (adults) how to lead their lives

Not like contemporary academic studiesNot like contemporary academic studies More like a ‘spiritual’ movement or religionMore like a ‘spiritual’ movement or religion Some Romans in 1Some Romans in 1stst and 2nd Century thought Christianity was a and 2nd Century thought Christianity was a

type of philosophical schooltype of philosophical school Emphasized virtues, control of selfEmphasized virtues, control of self Explored relation between individual and society and Explored relation between individual and society and

divinedivine Encouraged philosophical ‘exercises’Encouraged philosophical ‘exercises’ Almost all serious philosophical work done in GreekAlmost all serious philosophical work done in Greek

Rhetoric as a CareerRhetoric as a Career

Rhetorician was the most important Rhetorician was the most important profession in ancient Roman lifeprofession in ancient Roman life PoliticsPolitics BusinessBusiness

Art of persuasion was critical to Roman Art of persuasion was critical to Roman societysociety But what is relation to truth?But what is relation to truth?

AristotleAristotle384 – 322 BC384 – 322 BC

Student of Plato, teacher of Alexander the GreatStudent of Plato, teacher of Alexander the Great Founded his own philosophical school (Peripatetics) Founded his own philosophical school (Peripatetics)

Very interested in material worldVery interested in material world Concerned with systematizing knowledgeConcerned with systematizing knowledge

A few of most important worksA few of most important works CategoriesCategories On Interpretation On Interpretation Prior and Posterior AnalyticsPrior and Posterior Analytics PhysicsPhysics MetaphysicsMetaphysics EthicsEthics PoliticsPolitics

Most important philosopher in Middle AgesMost important philosopher in Middle Ages

Theodicy ProblemTheodicy Problem

Simply stated: If there is an omniscient Simply stated: If there is an omniscient and omnipotent good creator God, how and omnipotent good creator God, how can there be evil and suffering in the worldcan there be evil and suffering in the world

Possible ‘logical’ solutions:Possible ‘logical’ solutions: God did not create the worldGod did not create the world Or God is not omniscient and omnipotentOr God is not omniscient and omnipotent Or the creator God is not a good God Or the creator God is not a good God

Astrology in AntiquityAstrology in Antiquity

Movement of stars controlled people and Movement of stars controlled people and the course of historythe course of history

Knowing precisely how stars and planets Knowing precisely how stars and planets moved very importantmoved very important

Deep belief that celestial regions beyond Deep belief that celestial regions beyond the moon were unchanging, therefore the moon were unchanging, therefore more like spirit than mattermore like spirit than matter Therefore Manichaeism placed great Therefore Manichaeism placed great

importance in astrologyimportance in astrology

ManiMani215 - 277215 - 277

Persian, founder of Manichaeism Persian, founder of Manichaeism Mani considered himself reincarnation of Apostle Paul and/or Mani considered himself reincarnation of Apostle Paul and/or

incarnation of Holy Spiritincarnation of Holy Spirit Synchristic combination of Gnostic and Montanist Synchristic combination of Gnostic and Montanist

Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism: Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism: ““As once Buddha came to India, Zoroaster to Persia, and Jesus As once Buddha came to India, Zoroaster to Persia, and Jesus

to the lands of the West, so came in the present time, this to the lands of the West, so came in the present time, this prophecy through me, the Mani, to the land of Babylonia" prophecy through me, the Mani, to the land of Babylonia"

Very potent, well organized religionVery potent, well organized religion Manicheans is ChinaManicheans is China Lasted for over a Millennium (Dominicans founded to combat Lasted for over a Millennium (Dominicans founded to combat

Cathars, a Manichean sect is 13Cathars, a Manichean sect is 13thth C) C) Accepts some aspects of NTAccepts some aspects of NT ‘‘Martyred’ by PersiansMartyred’ by Persians

Main Points of ManichaeismMain Points of Manichaeism Solve the theodicy problem by saying that there Solve the theodicy problem by saying that there

are two gods: one evil, one goodare two gods: one evil, one good Material world associated with evil godMaterial world associated with evil god Special knowledge comes from good god; only Special knowledge comes from good god; only

available to initiated Manicheansavailable to initiated Manicheans Exclusive, elite community Exclusive, elite community CelibateCelibate VegetariansVegetarians

Canon includes parts of NT, Zoroastrianism and Canon includes parts of NT, Zoroastrianism and works of Maniworks of Mani

Canon of ScriptureCanon of Scripture Canon is from Greek for ruler or measuring stickCanon is from Greek for ruler or measuring stick

In Latin In Latin regularegula The ruler by which we should measure ourselvesThe ruler by which we should measure ourselves Many philosophical schools had ‘canons’Many philosophical schools had ‘canons’

For early Christian the correct canon of Scripture was a For early Christian the correct canon of Scripture was a major debatemajor debate

Old Testament in or outOld Testament in or out Which parts of the New Testament were in or outWhich parts of the New Testament were in or out Other apocryphal works in or outOther apocryphal works in or out

In all cases, early Christians relied on Greek Old In all cases, early Christians relied on Greek Old Testament, the SeptuagintTestament, the Septuagint

Augustine was probably reading from what is now known Augustine was probably reading from what is now known as the Old Latin Bibleas the Old Latin Bible

ConfessionsConfessions Structure Structure

Augustine's Reflection on His PastAugustine's Reflection on His PastBook 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, philosophy; Book V Encounter with Faustus, Manichaeism, philosophy;

moving from Carthage to Romemoving 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

Augustine’s PresentAugustine’s PresentBook X: MemoryBook X: MemoryBook XI: TimeBook XI: TimeBook XII: Interpreting ScriptureBook XII: Interpreting ScriptureBook XIII: Trinity and ChurchBook XIII: Trinity and Church

Book III OutlineBook III Outline

Love and lust III.1.1 – III.iii.5Love and lust III.1.1 – III.iii.5 Augustine at School III.iii.6Augustine at School III.iii.6 Reading Cicero and Scripture III.iv.7 – Reading Cicero and Scripture III.iv.7 –

III.v.9III.v.9 Joining the Manicheans III.vi.10 – III.x.18Joining the Manicheans III.vi.10 – III.x.18 Monica’s reaction III.xi.19 – III.xii.21Monica’s reaction III.xi.19 – III.xii.21

Book IIIBook III Love and lust III.i.1 – III.iii.5 Love and lust III.i.1 – III.iii.5

““I was in love with love…”I was in love with love…” Vicarious experiences of love at theatreVicarious experiences of love at theatre Note relation between love and sufferingNote relation between love and suffering

Right and wrong loves, right and wrong Right and wrong loves, right and wrong sufferingssufferings

Early encounter with a girl in ChurchEarly encounter with a girl in Church

Book IIIBook IIISchool and Bullies III.iii.6School and Bullies III.iii.6

Augustine was the best student in rhetoricAugustine was the best student in rhetoric But in retrospect Augustine does not have But in retrospect Augustine does not have

much respect for his professionmuch respect for his profession Art of deceiving peopleArt of deceiving people

Wreckers – a fraternity of bulliesWreckers – a fraternity of bullies But who are they wrecking first and foremostBut who are they wrecking first and foremost Even at the time, Augustine not influenced by Even at the time, Augustine not influenced by

themthem

Book IIIBook IIIReading Cicero and Scripture Reading Cicero and Scripture

III.iv.7 – III.v.9III.iv.7 – III.v.9 Cicero’s book Cicero’s book HortensiusHortensius deeply influenced deeply influenced

AugustineAugustine Encouraged him to read philosophyEncouraged him to read philosophy Helped him to pray betterHelped him to pray better But name of Christ not contained in CiceroBut name of Christ not contained in Cicero

Old Testament was a great disappointmentOld Testament was a great disappointment Poor stylePoor style Book of the simple peopleBook of the simple people God as anthropomorphicGod as anthropomorphic

In Book VIII, Augustine will also return to In Book VIII, Augustine will also return to philosophy and Jesus Christ philosophy and Jesus Christ

Book IIIBook III Joining the Manicheans III.vi.10 – Joining the Manicheans III.vi.10 –

III.x.18III.x.18 Manicheans seemed to solve many problems for Manicheans seemed to solve many problems for

AugustineAugustine Exaggerated truth claimsExaggerated truth claims Elite membershipElite membership Theodicy problemTheodicy problem

Note discussion of justice and relation for human Note discussion of justice and relation for human justice and natural law justice and natural law Address issue of why Old Testament Patriarchs could Address issue of why Old Testament Patriarchs could

engage in behavior not now allowedengage in behavior not now allowed Clearly this must have been a Manichee argument Clearly this must have been a Manichee argument

against the Old Testament against the Old Testament

Book IIIBook III Monica’s reaction III.11.19 – Monica’s reaction III.11.19 –

III.12.21III.12.21 At first Monica refuses to let Augustine in At first Monica refuses to let Augustine in

the housethe house But relentsBut relents

In a dream she sees her and Augustine In a dream she sees her and Augustine standing on the same rule (canon)standing on the same rule (canon) Note how Augustine wants to interpret the Note how Augustine wants to interpret the

dreamdream Importance of Monica’s prayersImportance of Monica’s prayers Note advice of bishop to MonicaNote advice of bishop to Monica

Book IV OutlineBook IV Outline

Augustine the young teacher IV.i.1 – IV.ii.2Augustine the young teacher IV.i.1 – IV.ii.2 Looking for truth in astrology IV.iii.4 – Looking for truth in astrology IV.iii.4 –

IV.iii.6IV.iii.6 Lover and friends IV.ii.2 – IV.iv.8Lover and friends IV.ii.2 – IV.iv.8 Grief over loss IV.iv.9 – IV.xii.18Grief over loss IV.iv.9 – IV.xii.18 Worldly ambition IV.xiii.20 – IV.xv.27Worldly ambition IV.xiii.20 – IV.xv.27 Reading Aristotle IV.xvi.28 – IV.xvi.31Reading Aristotle IV.xvi.28 – IV.xvi.31

Augustine the young teacherAugustine the young teacher IV.i.1 – IV.ii.2 IV.i.1 – IV.ii.2

Age 19 to 28Age 19 to 28 Taught rhetoricTaught rhetoric

Note effort to not teach how to convict an innocent Note effort to not teach how to convict an innocent manman

Okay to defend a guilty oneOkay to defend a guilty one Takes on a common-law wife (unnamed)Takes on a common-law wife (unnamed)

SexSex Didn’t want childrenDidn’t want children

Note continuing discussion of love and marriage Note continuing discussion of love and marriage in Book VIin Book VI

Looking for Truth in Astrology Looking for Truth in Astrology IV.iii.4 – IV.iii.6IV.iii.4 – IV.iii.6

Looking back on his interest in astrology Looking back on his interest in astrology Augustine finds biggest fault with it that it Augustine finds biggest fault with it that it takes away human free willtakes away human free will Stars and planets determine everythingStars and planets determine everything

Importance of others to help Augustine Importance of others to help Augustine see the truthsee the truth Old man (Vindicianus)Old man (Vindicianus) NebrediusNebredius

Friend and Death Friend and Death IV.iv.7 – IV.xii.19IV.iv.7 – IV.xii.19

““I had come to have a friend because our shared interest I had come to have a friend because our shared interest was very close…” was very close…”

Friend is unnamedFriend is unnamed Initially shares Augustine's views of ChristaianityInitially shares Augustine's views of Christaianity

Friend is baptized when ill and completely changes his Friend is baptized when ill and completely changes his view of Christianityview of Christianity

Rebukes Augustine for wanting to make fun of his BaptismRebukes Augustine for wanting to make fun of his Baptism Friend diesFriend dies

Powerful description of griefPowerful description of grief Powerful meditation on friendship, love, GodPowerful meditation on friendship, love, God

Note how different (and similar) Augustine's reaction will Note how different (and similar) Augustine's reaction will be at Monica’s death in Book IXbe at Monica’s death in Book IX

Worldly ambition IV.xiii.20 – Worldly ambition IV.xiii.20 – IV.xv.27IV.xv.27

Note how throughout his early years, false Note how throughout his early years, false love and worldly ambition are linked for love and worldly ambition are linked for AugustineAugustine

Dedicates his book to someone he does Dedicates his book to someone he does not knownot know Famous orator, Hierius, a type of celebrityFamous orator, Hierius, a type of celebrity ‘‘Loves’ him because of his fameLoves’ him because of his fame Augustine seems almost to be talking about Augustine seems almost to be talking about

gossip magazines (IV.xiv.23)gossip magazines (IV.xiv.23)

Reading Aristotle Reading Aristotle IV.xvi.28 – IV.xvi.31IV.xvi.28 – IV.xvi.31

The CategoriesThe Categories did not live up to did not live up to greatness promised by his teachersgreatness promised by his teachers

Too easy; Augustine easily grasped itToo easy; Augustine easily grasped it God could not be described using God could not be described using

Aristotle's categoriesAristotle's categories

Future Influence Future Influence

Theodicy and Scripture– more in Book VIITheodicy and Scripture– more in Book VII Rejection of AristotleRejection of Aristotle

Philosophy and ChristianityPhilosophy and Christianity

Ancient question, posed by North African Ancient question, posed by North African theologian Tertullian, “What has Athens to do theologian Tertullian, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?”with Jerusalem?”

Augustine championed the use of philosophical Augustine championed the use of philosophical tools to help one progress in knowledge of tools to help one progress in knowledge of ChristianityChristianity

However, not all philosophical tools or methods However, not all philosophical tools or methods are equally usefulare equally useful

Augustine will specifically champion use of Augustine will specifically champion use of Neoplatonism more about this in Book VIINeoplatonism more about this in Book VII

Christian Theology and AristotleChristian Theology and Aristotle

For the most part, Augustine’s approach to For the most part, Augustine’s approach to theology was the standard until the 13theology was the standard until the 13 thth Century Century Aristotle not much readAristotle not much read Poor Latin translationsPoor Latin translations

In 13In 13thth C new manuscripts of Aristotle became C new manuscripts of Aristotle became available in the West along with Jewish available in the West along with Jewish (Maimonides) and Muslim (Averroes) (Maimonides) and Muslim (Averroes) commentaries commentaries

Dominicans, St Albert the Great and his student Dominicans, St Albert the Great and his student St. Thomas AquinasSt. Thomas Aquinas

Aquinas and AristotleAquinas and Aristotle

For Aquinas, Aristotle was ‘The Philosopher’For Aquinas, Aristotle was ‘The Philosopher’ Provided the method and language in which to Provided the method and language in which to

do theologydo theology The CategoriesThe Categories, among other works very important for , among other works very important for

thisthis Theology that starts with considering how we might Theology that starts with considering how we might

know God from his creationknow God from his creation

Aquinas had to strongly defend this approachAquinas had to strongly defend this approach

AssignmentsAssignments

Read carefully Read carefully ConfessionsConfessions Books III and Books III and IVIV

Brown, Brown, Augustine of HippoAugustine of Hippo, Chapters 4, 5, , Chapters 4, 5, and 6and 6

Post one long paragraph by Friday June Post one long paragraph by Friday June 1111

Post two responses by Sunday June 13Post two responses by Sunday June 13 Teaching ChristianityTeaching Christianity Book IV (optional) Book IV (optional)