Teaching Christianity, book 4 Augustine of Hippo

Persuasion and preaching Need eloquence to present truth Need eloquence to present truth Learn eloquence from hearing good speakers and reading good writers Learn eloquence from hearing good speakers and reading good writers Scripture has its own style of eloquence Scripture has its own style of eloquence 3 aims of public speaking 3 aims of public speaking To teach (calm, narrative style) To teach (calm, narrative style) To delight, keep attention (moderate style) To delight, keep attention (moderate style) To persuade (sway) people to act (grand style) To persuade (sway) people to act (grand style) Yet some things are more important than formal style Yet some things are more important than formal style Wisdom Wisdom Piety Piety Way of life Way of life

Upshot Scripture has to be interpreted in human community Scripture has to be interpreted in human community Understand its language Understand its language Express consequences: what now? Express consequences: what now? There is a concrete purpose for reading scripture There is a concrete purpose for reading scripture Increase love of God and neighbor Increase love of God and neighbor Spiritual more than scientific Spiritual more than scientific

Questions Where do you see examples of persuasion in today’s culture? Where do you see examples of persuasion in today’s culture? Instruct, delight, sway Instruct, delight, sway How do you respond to it? How do you respond to it? Are you suspicious of slick rhetoric? Are you suspicious of slick rhetoric? Is the speaker’s way of life important? Is the speaker’s way of life important? Does it authenticate or negate the message? Does it authenticate or negate the message?

For next time Benedict’s rule: model for Western monasteries since 500s (even today) Benedict’s rule: model for Western monasteries since 500s (even today) Lived in Italy (ca ) Lived in Italy (ca ) Rule = guideline for living in community Rule = guideline for living in community How does the Rule deal with difficulties in communal living? How does the Rule deal with difficulties in communal living? Why has the Rule endured? (how is it a good model for living with other people?) Why has the Rule endured? (how is it a good model for living with other people?) Major themes: prayer, work, hospitality, stability, humility, moderation Major themes: prayer, work, hospitality, stability, humility, moderation