THE WORKS OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

A Translation for the 21st Century

Teaching Christianity

(De Doctrina Christiana)

I/11

translation and notes by

Edmund Hill, O.P.

editor

John E. Rotelle, O.S.A.

New City Press

of the Focolare

Hyde Park, NY

Published in the United States by New City Press

202 Comforter Blvd., Hyde Park, New York 12538

©1996 Augustinian Heritage Institute

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo.

The works of Saint Augustine.

“Augustinian Heritage Institute”

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Contents: — pt. 3, v. 15. Exposition of the Psalms, 1-32

— pt. 3., v. 1. Sermons on the Old Testament, 1-19.

— pt. 3, v. 2. Sermons on the Old Testament, 20-50 — [et al.] — pt. 3, v. 10 Sermons on various subjects, 341-400.

1. Theology — Early church, ca. 30-600. I. Hill, Edmund. II. Rotelle, John E. III. Augustinian Heritage Institute. IV. Title.

BR65.A5E53 1990 270.2 89-28878

ISBN 978-1-56548-055-1 (series)

ISBN 978-1-56548-048-3 (pt. 1, v. 11)

ISBN 978-1-56548-049-0 (pt. 1, v. 11 : paperback.)

1st printing: April 1996

7th printing: July 2015

Augustinian Heritage Institute

Board of Directors:

+John E. Rotelle, O.S.A. (1939–2002), founding director

Joseph L. Farrell, O.S.A.

Patricia H. Lo

Boniface Ramsey

Joseph T. Kelley

Jane E. Merdinger

David Hunter

Translation Advisory Board:

Gerald Bonner

Edmund Hill, O.P.

Boniface Ramsey

Allan D. Fitzgerald, O.S.A.

Joseph McGowan

Roland J. Teske, S.J.

THE WORKS OF SAINT AUGUSTINE

A Translation for the 21st Century

Part I—Books

Volume 11:

Teaching Christianity

To

John J. Gavigan, O.S.A.

1913–1994

who first translated this work in 1950

CONTENTS

Introduction

Structure and Pastoral Theology of Teaching Christianity

Sign and Language

Unity of Language and Faith in Biblical Exegesis. States of Mind and Styles (Genera dicendi)

Hermeneutical Principles of Saint Augustine in Teaching Christianity

Translator’s Note

Revisions II, 4

Teaching Christianity

Prologue

Book I

The purpose of scripture study is both to discover its meaning and to pass it on to others; both tasks to be undertaken with God’s help

The difference between things and signs

The division of things; what is meant by enjoying and using

God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is the ultimate thing to be enjoyed; but he is inexpressible

God as unchangeable Wisdom

To see God, the mind must be purified; the example given us by Wisdom incarnate

How God’s Wisdom came to us and healed us

The death, resurrection and ascension of Christ are models for our spiritual death and resurrection in his body the Church, and also for our bodily death and resurrection at the end of the world

God alone is to be enjoyed

We had no need of a commandment to love ourselves and our bodies

The right order of love

Whether we are also commanded to love the angels

How God does not enjoy us, but makes use of us

Love of God and neighbor is the sum of what scripture teaches

Book II

What signs are, and how many kinds there are

What the ...