Background Books V-VIII How Should We Live Dr. Ann T. Orlando 14 January 2008

Outline Imperial Politics Imperial Politics Biblical Interpretation Biblical Interpretation Philosophical Schools Philosophical Schools Early Monasticism Early Monasticism Things to Look For in Books V-VIII Things to Look For in Books V-VIII

Imperial Politics Capitol in West is Milan (not Rome) Capitol in West is Milan (not Rome) Closer to border with barbarians Closer to border with barbarians Avoid squabbles with wealthy Roman families Avoid squabbles with wealthy Roman families Some members of Imperial family are Arians Some members of Imperial family are Arians Competing Churches in Milan Competing Churches in Milan St. Ambrose is leader of Catholic Church in Milan St. Ambrose is leader of Catholic Church in Milan Once Theodosius assumes control of Empire, Ambrose becomes most important churchman in Empire Once Theodosius assumes control of Empire, Ambrose becomes most important churchman in Empire

The Canon of Scripture Canon is from Greek word meaning ‘rule’ or ‘measure’ Canon is from Greek word meaning ‘rule’ or ‘measure’ From Second Century much controversy about which books to include as Christian Scripture From Second Century much controversy about which books to include as Christian Scripture Which books define the Christian way of life and relationship with God Which books define the Christian way of life and relationship with God Scripture and concepts derived from it was referred to as the Rule (canon) of Faith Scripture and concepts derived from it was referred to as the Rule (canon) of Faith Monica’s dream at end of Book III: Monica and Augustine on the same rule. Monica’s dream at end of Book III: Monica and Augustine on the same rule.

Biblical Interpretation So, in Book III, Augustine gives up on the Old Testament So, in Book III, Augustine gives up on the Old Testament Not well written (he was using old Latin version) Not well written (he was using old Latin version) Contradictory Contradictory God angry and vengeful God angry and vengeful Key moment in Book V: Ambrose’s method of understanding the Old Testament Key moment in Book V: Ambrose’s method of understanding the Old Testament Explained spiritually Explained spiritually

Spiritual Understanding of Scripture Origen (d. 254) Origen (d. 254) Born and studied in Alexandria Born and studied in Alexandria Established very important Christian School in Palestine Established very important Christian School in Palestine Developed rules for understanding Scripture Developed rules for understanding Scripture Literal meaning Literal meaning Allegorical or Spiritual meaning Allegorical or Spiritual meaning Allegorical meaning Allegorical meaning Everything in Old Testament points to Christ (typology) Everything in Old Testament points to Christ (typology) Many stories and descriptions in Old Testament have philosophical meanings. Example: seven is number of completion, perfection Many stories and descriptions in Old Testament have philosophical meanings. Example: seven is number of completion, perfection

Impact of Origen’s Teaching Picked up by ‘the Cappadocians’ Picked up by ‘the Cappadocians’ St. Basil the Great (d. 379) St. Basil the Great (d. 379) St. Gregory Nazianzus (d. 389) St. Gregory Nazianzus (d. 389) St. Gregory of Nyssa (d. 394) St. Gregory of Nyssa (d. 394) St. Ambrose (d. 397) good friends with St. Basil St. Ambrose (d. 397) good friends with St. Basil Introduces Augustine to spiritual understanding of Scripture Introduces Augustine to spiritual understanding of Scripture NB Ambrose probably knew Monica better than he did Augustine NB Ambrose probably knew Monica better than he did Augustine

Philosophical Schools Philosophy was not an ‘academic’ subject as it is now: Philosophy was not an ‘academic’ subject as it is now: Philosophy as a way of life; Philosophy as a way of life; A School to teach how to be happy A School to teach how to be happy In some ways, Christianity appeared to the Romans as a ‘school’ In some ways, Christianity appeared to the Romans as a ‘school’ Alexandria was the most important center for philosophical studies in antiquity Alexandria was the most important center for philosophical studies in antiquity From 322 BC to 600 AD From 322 BC to 600 AD Aristotle goes from Athens to Alexandria Aristotle goes from Athens to Alexandria Many of these schools develop ‘canonics’ to describe rules for their way of life Many of these schools develop ‘canonics’ to describe rules for their way of life Augustine investigates lots of philosophical schools; how to be happy Augustine investigates lots of philosophical schools; how to be happy Manichaeism Manichaeism Academics (skeptics) Academics (skeptics) Aristotle Aristotle Epicureans Epicureans

NeoPlatonism Philosophy developed by Plotinus (d. 270) Philosophy developed by Plotinus (d. 270) Alexandrian philosopher; contemporary of Origen Alexandrian philosopher; contemporary of Origen Extended aspects of Plato Extended aspects of Plato Work is preserved in the Enneads Work is preserved in the Enneads Emphasis on God as One, Emphasis on God as One, The One as self-caused and cause of everything in universe The One as self-caused and cause of everything in universe The One is exquisitely, beautifully simple (i.e., without complexity); the One is completely Good The One is exquisitely, beautifully simple (i.e., without complexity); the One is completely Good Matter, as caused by One is good; therefore, evil must be the what is limited or absence of being Matter, as caused by One is good; therefore, evil must be the what is limited or absence of being Man as a rational creature finds his true happiness in unity with the One; Man as a rational creature finds his true happiness in unity with the One; Movement from the limiting material to the unbounded simple, beautiful good One Movement from the limiting material to the unbounded simple, beautiful good One Develops stages of spiritual growth Develops stages of spiritual growth When Augustine refers to “Platonists” really talking about neoPlatonists When Augustine refers to “Platonists” really talking about neoPlatonists

Monastic Way of Life Started in Egypt, Third Century Started in Egypt, Third Century A way to abandon the evils of this world to be closer to God A way to abandon the evils of this world to be closer to God Antony ( ) most famous monk of his day Antony ( ) most famous monk of his day St. Athanasius (d. 373), bishop of Alexandria, writes very famous Life of Antony St. Athanasius (d. 373), bishop of Alexandria, writes very famous Life of Antony Monks (men and women) develop rules for living together Monks (men and women) develop rules for living together Most famous Rule in West: Benedict’s (d. 547) Rule, “a school for the Lord’s service” Most famous Rule in West: Benedict’s (d. 547) Rule, “a school for the Lord’s service” Augustine writes a Rule while Bishop of Hippo Augustine writes a Rule while Bishop of Hippo

Questions Books V - VIII Why can’t Augustine find a rule to live by that is satisfying? Why can’t Augustine find a rule to live by that is satisfying? How is his life effected by what he reads? How is his life effected by what he reads? Does success bring happiness? Does success bring happiness? Initially why does Augustine listen to Ambrose? Initially why does Augustine listen to Ambrose? Why is teaching so unfulfilling for Augustine? Why is teaching so unfulfilling for Augustine? How do Augustine’s relationships change from earlier Books to Book VIII? How do Augustine’s relationships change from earlier Books to Book VIII? His mother His mother Sexual partners Sexual partners His friends His friends What is role of grace in Book VIII? What is role of grace in Book VIII?