1. Teaching Christianity, books 2-3 Augustine of Hippo

2. Signs Bible is a book of signs Bible is a book of signs Words are always signs Words are always signs And, some things signified by these words are also signs And, some things signified by these words are also signs example: “God is my rock” example: “God is my rock” Word “rock” signifies a hard natural object Word “rock” signifies a hard natural object This object in turn signifies spiritual qualities of God: solid, sturdy, enduring, etc. This object in turn signifies spiritual qualities of God: solid, sturdy, enduring, etc.

3. Types of signs Natural or conventional Natural or conventional Natural: no intention of signifying (smoke signifies fire) Natural: no intention of signifying (smoke signifies fire) Conventional: signifies by means of intention Conventional: signifies by means of intention Need to understand convention (human society, language) to understand these signs Need to understand convention (human society, language) to understand these signs Bible written by humans in human language, therefore composed of conventional signs Bible written by humans in human language, therefore composed of conventional signs Interpretation requires understanding human society Interpretation requires understanding human society Need to study “humanly instituted arts and sciences” (2. 39.58) = liberal education Need to study “humanly instituted arts and sciences” (2. 39.58) = liberal education

4. Types of learning needed Language Language Biology and other sciences Biology and other sciences History History Math Math Philosophy Philosophy Etc. Etc. Get riches of a pagan education, as Israelites took gold and silver from the Egyptians (2.40.60) Get riches of a pagan education, as Israelites took gold and silver from the Egyptians (2.40.60) Literate Christians should engage culture Literate Christians should engage culture

5. Ambiguous signs Some signs (words, passages) in Bible are clear, some are unclear Some signs (words, passages) in Bible are clear, some are unclear Due to spelling, translation, grammar Due to spelling, translation, grammar Bigger category: metaphors Bigger category: metaphors Metaphors require figurative interpretation Metaphors require figurative interpretation Note anti-Jewish rhetoric (3.5.9): “carnal vs. spiritual” Note anti-Jewish rhetoric (3.5.9): “carnal vs. spiritual” Implies supersessionism: Christianity replaces Judaism Implies supersessionism: Christianity replaces Judaism Issue: how to interpret ritual “signs” like circumcision, sacrifice in OT and NT Issue: how to interpret ritual “signs” like circumcision, sacrifice in OT and NT

6. How to interpret figures? Figure = anything in Bible that does not refer to good faith or morals (love of God and neighbor) Figure = anything in Bible that does not refer to good faith or morals (love of God and neighbor) Assumption: God is good Assumption: God is good Do we have similar assumptions? Do we have similar assumptions? Use allegory: things are signs of higher spiritual things Use allegory: things are signs of higher spiritual things Clear passages explain ambiguous ones Clear passages explain ambiguous ones Have priority Have priority If a passage is clear and morally good at the literal level, do not look for a figurative meaning If a passage is clear and morally good at the literal level, do not look for a figurative meaning

7. For next time Read all of book 4 (long!) Read all of book 4 (long!) But skim pp. 205-215, 223-233 But skim pp. 205-215, 223-233 Think about means of persuasion that you encounter Think about means of persuasion that you encounter Advertising, media Advertising, media Does truth/goodness require persuasion as effective as falsehood? Does truth/goodness require persuasion as effective as falsehood? How important is the goodness of the speaker as a form of persuasion? How important is the goodness of the speaker as a form of persuasion?