Saint Augustine’s Theory of Illumination
Wisdom and Enlightenment
The concepts of “wisdom and enlightenment” are central to Saint Augustine’s Theory of Knowledge. This theory aimed at creating a *paideia*, a system of education and training for Christian citizens. This education was driven by the pursuit of truth, ultimately leading to happiness. Augustine believed that knowledge progresses through varying degrees to reach absolute truth and wisdom, which is God.
Degrees of Knowledge
- Sensation/Feeling: This is the first grade of the spirit
Understanding the Bible: Origins, Structure, and Key Concepts
The Bible: An Introduction
The Bible is a collection of books on varied topics. They are united by the theme of God’s love for humanity. It originates from the experiences of people who felt loved by God. This process involves:
- Experiencing God’s intervention in life and history.
- Reflecting on these experiences and expressing faith in God.
- Sharing these important experiences as gifts from God.
- Writing down this faith to preserve the experience.
Old and New Testaments
Old Testament: 46 books, collecting
Read MoreSt. Augustine’s Philosophy: Theology, Anthropology, and History
St. Augustine of Hippo: A Synthesis of Philosophy and Faith
St. Augustine was a pivotal philosopher of the Middle Ages, whose introduction of Christian ideas profoundly reshaped the prevailing modes of thought.
Key Concepts in Medieval Thought
Four central ideas stand out in the medieval mindset, all significantly influenced by St. Augustine:
- Monotheism: The belief in a single, creator God. This concept of creation contrasts with the idea of an eternal universe. Creation from nothing underscores divine
Key Figures and Concepts in Christian Theology
Communicatio Idiomatum
St. Augustine: The philosophy for Augustine was the love and effort of the whole soul toward wisdom and truth. Truth, for Augustine, was the supreme ideal to which he was passionately devoted. This truth refers to the soul and God, the two objects of philosophical concern.
Original Sin
- What is original sin? It is the offense committed against God by the first human couple. That sin was the source of others and created the situation of sin into which all men are born.
- How did it
Natural vs. Revealed Religion: A Rousseau Perspective
Natural and Revealed Religion: Criticism of Fanaticism
Natural religion and revealed religion (or positive religion) arose in response to the mechanistic worldview of the time. Proponents felt God had been excluded from explanations of the universe, becoming an unnecessary concept. Natural religion excludes elements that create diverse creeds, focusing on reinterpreting the concept of God.
Positive religions are the various religions practiced worldwide by many faithful. Examples include Catholicism,
Read MoreSt. Thomas Aquinas: Revelation and Reason
Text of St. Thomas: Historical Context
The life of St. Thomas Aquinas elapses in the thirteenth century and represents a synthesis of the spirit of his time. The Middle Ages, which had spent long centuries assimilating the diverse cultures that had broken into the Roman Empire during the barbarian invasions, is coming to an end. There is, in this period, a flowering of the great cities like Paris and Rome, which had suffered a sharp decline in previous centuries. This makes possible the creation
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