Teaching Christianity

Description

Teaching Christianity is the most original book Augustine ever wrote. It is not so much a treatise or scholarly work but an instruction manual on how to teach Christianity. He wrote this how to book for those who would be preaching and explaining Christianity. It is entirely based on the bible and helps the reader express its truths of faith with soundproof methodology. It is a book that will help readers to communicate their message in a clear and effective way. Edmund Hills new translation of Augustines treatise On Christian Doctrine is superb. His early and mature thought on how to understand scripture and how to communicate that understanding to others is set forth clearly and attractively. The translator has shown great discernment in his choice of words and in their placement. This makes for a smooth reading. Extremely valuable are the scholarly endnotes provided after each of the four books. The new title chosen by Edmund Hill, namely, Teaching Christianity indicates that Augustine is here instructing the African clergy, probably the bishops, how to preach effectively to their congregations. The treatise is not focused on doctrine. Sr. Mary T. Clark, RSCJ Manhattanville College President, Society for Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy Composition and Structure......Page 8 Theology and Pastoral Activity......Page 11 Dogmatic Exegesis......Page 20 Theology of Oratory......Page 25 Notes......Page 26 “Through Material Things to Immaterial”......Page 34 From Dialectic to The Teacher......Page 37 Toward a Christian “Doctrine”......Page 41 Theological Investigation......Page 45 Things and Signs......Page 49 Language and Interpretation......Page 55 Notes......Page 60 Chapter 1......Page 75 Chapter 2......Page 78 Chapter 3......Page 88 Chapter 4......Page 97 Chapter 5......Page 103 Notes......Page 108 Hermeneutical Principles of Saint Augustine in Teaching Christianity......Page 113 Notes......Page 131 Prologue......Page 135 Notes......Page 140 The purpose of scripture study is both to discover its meaning and to pass it on to others; both tasks to be undertaken with God’s help......Page 142 The division of things; what is meant by enjoying and using......Page 143 God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is the ultimate thing to be enjoyed; but he is inexpressible......Page 145 God as unchangeable Wisdom......Page 147 To see God, the mind must be purified; the example given us by Wisdom incarnate......Page 148 How God’s Wisdom came to us and healed us......Page 149 The death, resurrection and ascension of Christ are models for our spiritual death and resurrection in his body the Church, and also for our bodily death and resurrection at the end of the world......Page 151 God alone is to be enjoyed......Page 153 We had no need of a commandment to love ourselves and our bodies......Page 155 The right order of love......Page 159 Whether we are also commanded to love the angels......Page 162 How God does not enjoy us, but makes use of us......Page 164 Love of God and neighbor is the sum of what scripture teaches......Page 167 Notes......Page 171 What signs are, and how many kinds there are......Page 176 What the scriptures are; in what way they are written; what is required in order to understand them......Page 179 What is required for a fruitful study of scripture......Page 185 The special virtue of the old Itala Latin, and of the Greek Septuagint versions......Page 192 What is required for understanding metaphorical signs......Page 193 What use can be made of secular doctrines; the errors of pagan myths and superstitions......Page 197 The value, or otherwise, of non-superstitious human arts......Page 206 The value of history, and all other human sciences, for the understanding of the scriptures......Page 208 The proper frame of mind in which all such secular studies should be undertaken......Page 220 Notes......Page 225 Ambiguities over phrasing......Page 239 Ambiguities over pronunciation......Page 241 Ambiguities over grammatical construction......Page 243 Ambiguities in metaphorical language; enslavement to the letter......Page 244 Liberation from enslavement to the letter......Page 247 Rules for telling what are figurative expressions and what are not......Page 249 Various other rules and considerations......Page 256 Some further, more technical rules of interpretation......Page 261 The seven rules of Tychonius......Page 266 Notes......Page 280 The value of rhetorical skills; but this will not be a textbook of rhetoric......Page 288 Examples of eloquent wisdom from biblical authors: Saint Paul......Page 294 Examples from biblical authors: Amos......Page 300 Further suggestions and advice for preachers......Page 305 Three functions of eloquence: to teach, to delight, to sway......Page 309 Pray before preaching......Page 313 More advice from Cicero......Page 316 Further examples of different styles......Page 320 Examples from ecclesiastical writers: Cyprian and Ambrose......Page 327 More general remarks on the three styles: an experience of his own......Page 333 The preacher’s lifestyle carries more weight than his style of oratory......Page 340 Conclusion: Those who cannot compose their own sermons should learn by heart and preach those of acknowledged masters......Page 343 Notes......Page 345