Teaching Christianity

by Augustine of Hippo

• ISBN13: 9781565480490
• ISBN10: 156548049X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-05-01
• Publisher: New City Pr

Summary

The most original book Augustine ever wrote, Teaching Christianity 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 sound methodology, so that they can communicate their message in a clear and effective way. St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) was possibly the greatest Christian writer ever, a Master of Rhetoric who was educated under the influence of Neoplatonism and Christianity. With over 113 books, 200 letters, and 500 sermons he has left a lasting impact on Western philosophy and culture. His most well-known works are his Confessions, The Trinity, and The City of God, which are still best-selling titles today.

Table of Contents

Introduction	9	(86)
Structure and Pastoral Theology of Teaching Christianity	11	(17)
Sign and Language	28	(26)
Unity of Language and Faith in Biblical Exegesis. States of Mind and Styles (Genera dicendi)	54	(26)
Hermeneutical Principles of Saint Augustine in Teaching Christianity	80	(15)
Translator's Note	95	(3)
Revisions	98	(3)
Teaching Christianity
Prologue	101	(5)
Book I	106	(23)
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	106	(1)
The difference between things and signs	106	(1)
The division of things; what is meant by enjoying and using	107	(1)
God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is the ultimate thing to be enjoyed; but he is inexpressible	108	(1)
God as unchangeable Wisdom	109	(1)
To see God, the mind must be purified; the example given us by Wisdom incarnate	110	(1)
How God's Wisdom came to us and healed us	111	(1)
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	112	(2)
God alone is to be enjoyed	114	(1)
We had no need of a commandment to love ourselves and our bodies	115	(2)
The right order of love	117	(2)
Whether we are also commanded to love the angels	119	(2)
How God does not enjoy us, but makes use of us	121	(2)
Love of God and neighbor is the sum of what scripture teaches	123	(6)
Book II	129	(40)
What signs are, and how many kinds there are	129	(2)
What the scriptures are; in what way they are written; what is required in order to understand them	131	(4)
What is required for a fruitful study of scripture	135	(5)
The special virtue of the old Itala Latin, and of the Greek Septuagint versions	140	(1)
What is required for understanding metaphorical signs	141	(2)
What use can be made of secular doctrines; the errors of pagan myths and superstitions	143	(6)
The value, or otherwise, of non-superstitious human arts	149	(1)
The value of history, and all other human sciences, for the understanding of the scriptures	150	(8)
The proper frame of mind in which all such secular studies should be undertaken	158	(11)
Book III	169	(32)
Introduction	169	(1)
Ambiguities over phrasing	169	(2)
Ambiguities over pronunciation	171	(1)
Ambiguities over grammatical construction	172	(1)
Ambiguities in metaphorical language; enslavement to the letter	173	(2)
Liberation from enslavement to the letter	175	(1)
Rules for telling what are figurative expressions and what are not	176	(4)
Various other rules and considerations	180	(4)
Some further, more technical rules of interpretation	184	(3)
The seven rules of Tychonius	187	(14)
Book IV	201	(44)
The value of rhetorical skills; but this will not be a textbook of rhetoric	201	(4)
Examples of eloquent wisdom from biblical authors: Saint Paul	205	(4)
Examples from biblical authors: Amos	209	(3)
Further suggestions and advice for preachers	212	(3)
Three functions of eloquence: to teach, to delight, to sway	215	(3)
Pray before preaching	218	(2)
More advice from Cicero	220	(3)
Further examples of different styles	223	(5)
Examples from ecclesiastical writers: Cyprian and Ambrose	228	(5)
More general remarks on the three styles: an experience of his own	233	(4)
The preacher's lifestyle carries more weight than his style of oratory	237	(2)
Conclusion: Those who cannot compose their own sermons, should learn by heart and preach those of acknowledged masters	239	(6)
Index of Scripture	245	(4)
Index	249