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Saint Augustine: On Christian Doctrine

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One author has said that Augustine can be "easier to read than many modern books about him." Nowhere in his writings have I found this to be more true than "On Christian Doctrine." This little text was so compelling that I literally could not put it down (though that may reveal more about me than it). It essentially outlines Augustine's program of Hermeneutics which often contrasts strongly with standard methods of the periods before and after him, while remaining reminiscent of both eras. Some particular points of interest:

-He insists that the author's intent should be the arbiter of meaning unless the text seems to be in contrast to what is clearly taught throughout scripture, at which point allegory is to be employed
-He suggests that mistaken interpretation of a particular passage is not too grievous an error as long as the interpretation remains true to the general testimony of Scripture
-He suggests that interpretation is difficult but that the best way to progress is to read and memorize as much of it as possible until it is intimately familiar
-There is a theologically interesting chapter in which he uses the passage about the bread as Christ's body as an example of the sort of passage that cannot be taken literally

A 1700 year old text obviously isn't going to work as a contemporary manual of interpretation, but for its value in historical theology, understanding the development of Biblical interpretation and insight into the mind of one of the Christianity's greatest pastoral minds this is well worth the money and 100 or so pages.

Of all the patristic works on the interpretation of Scripture, the De Doctrina Christiana ranks as the preeminent work of criticism. Both practical and theoretical, the work is much to be enjoyed for the succinctness of phrase and the pellucid and perspicacious development of its central argument.

Certainly, the work is fundamentally pragmatic in nature: It is advice--originally for the priests of the diocese of Hippo--on correct biblical interpretation. However, it is much more than that. St. Augustine in many ways forms the groundwork for modern hermeneutics and semiotics in this text. In his discussion of charitable and concupiscent interpretations, he illustrates the nature and basis of a Christian interpretational praxis. In referring to the need for interpretation to be undertaken within, and submitted to, the community of the Church, he anticipates Stanley Fish's theory of interpretive communities.

But even more than this, the De Doctrina is a guide for living the Christian life. St. Augustine notes that symbols point us toward that which is to be enjoyed, God the Three-in-One. In this way, St. Augustine illustrates the absolute immanence of God within all Creation, a latency which, with the proper hermeneutical framework of charity and faith, will burst forth with the utter effulgence of God Incarnate.

This is a magisterial work, of interest both to Christians and non-Christians alike. This work will be especially helpful to those considering the problems of semiotics and hermeneutics or those who want better to access the densely multivalent world of medieval allegory.

And I cannot recommend more highly D.W. Robertson's translation. It is engaging without being ponderous. The introductory essay is also well done.

It is estimated that are nearly 3 billion Christians in the world today nearly equally divided between Roman Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants. Within His visible Church there is no disagreement that God sent His Son to earth, as spoken by the Prophets, to become the one High Priest offering the ultimate sacrifice of Himself once for all.
We can all "share the wealth" of the writings and viewpoints penned by Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo writing in the late 300's and early 400's. His viewpoints and theology precede doctrinal developments codified in pre-medieval and medieval times.
Clearly, Augustine was an inspired spokesman and defender of the one true Faith. His intent in "On Christian Doctrine" is to provide guidelines for the interpretation of Scripture, leading to a deeper understanding of God's intentions for His children. He is not interested in prescribing set boundaries of belief and behavior. Augustine is firm in his conviction that God's Word written by man, inspired by the Holy Spirit is sufficient for knowing that which God intended for us to know about Himself... about ourselves.
His primary thesis is summarized early on, "Now faith will totter if the authority of scripture begins to shake," followed by "And so these are the three things to which all knowledge and all prophecy are subservient "faith, hope and love."
From a practical perspective Augustine offers the following observations:
* Plainer passages are to satisfy our hunger, the more obscure to stimulate our appetite.
* Reject figments of superstition.
* Draw examples from the plainer passages to throw light on the more obscure... it is safer to explain doubtful passages by other passages than by reason.
*That which appears to suggest crime (ill toward others) or vice (ill toward self) is to be considered figurative... that which teaches prudence and love for God should be taken literally. Interestingly, Augustine uses Christ's own words in Jn. 6:53 "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man" to exemplify this principle.
Augustine offers a Christ centered view of the Faith that individual believers and leaders of the visible Church could benefit from today.
His concluding admonition is from Rom. 5:5, "And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.

Augustine is one of my favorite authors for casual Christian reading.

Even though I don't full agree with some of his conclusions, I will say that his thought process is very admirable.

Love this book.

Saint Augustine (354-430) is one of the most influential theologians in Christianity. His Confessions, The City of God, and On Christian Doctrine are three of his most important books. On Christian Doctrine emphasizes how one should read and interpret the Scriptures, Christian living, and suggestions for Christian teachers. The version described in this review is translated by J. F. Shaw and is from Volume 18 in the Britannica Great Books series.

On Christian Doctrine is divided into four books which are further divided into short chapters. Augustine's purpose is to teach certain rules for the interpretation of Scripture. He points out that we need to attend to the context of the Scripture and to learn the Greek and Hebrew languages in which Scripture is written. Readers of scripture must also be able to distinguish between literal and figurative expressions. For Christian teachers, Augustine asserts that wisdom is more important than eloquence and that the Christian teacher must use different styles on different occasions; three styles include the majestic, temperate, and subdued. Regardless of style, truth is more important than expression. Of course, the book discusses many other topics including the Trinity, body and soul, and loving our neighbor.

Though Augustine's style is academic I found this book to be both highly readable and inspirational. Also, despite its age, this book is remarkably relevant and practical. Finally, On Christian Doctrine reveals the thinking of one of the most significant authors in Christianity.

I wish I could think and write as clearly as August, here. I simply love the part where he argues against women wearing make up. Perhaps women in his age were prettier? That was a funny one. But, let's be honest, this guy had his finder on the pulse of God's will for behavior and disciplines. I would love to hear his commentary in the context of modern day. I wonder if he would have an IPod with Third Day and the Bible on CD. :) It's refreshing to listen to this, put myself in his time period, and understand his desire to lead people to a certain holiness. Don't get caught up on who reads it or if a few words are updated. The book's a real treat. You're going to disregard quite a few chapters anyway. Listen to what he has to say. Consider it. Take some nuggets. Move on.

When I ordered this item the description said it was unabridged. After it arrived the CD case had a more in depth description. It turns out to be unabridged and edited. How can you get an unabridged reading of an edited reading? Plus the CD case further describes On Christian Doctrine to be of great assitance to the Reformation. Saint Augustine's writings are being twisted, contorted, and parceled out if that is the summation. I would have appreciated these revelations to have been in the descrition provided by Amazon so as to not have wasted my postage having to return the item.
I gave the item one star simply because it was required for posting the review.

I found this book to be a bit dated. It has some helpful advice, but it's been said much better and more understandably in other books. Much of it is a guide on how to read the Bible. However, I have many of Augustine's writings (and this is no exception) to be too metaphoircal and cryptic. That style is ok for some things, but it's no good for explaining something as practical as how to read the Bible. Also, it was (understandably) rather dry. For a better book on the same subject, I would suggest Fee & Stuart's "How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth."