Augustine was documented to have been influenced by Platonic philosophy. MacDonald (1989: 485-486). Jordan (1996: 52). Scott MacDonald explains in his article ‘Augustine’s Christian-Platonic Account of Goodness’ that Augustine held views influenced by Platonic thought. MacDonald (1989: 485-486).
Platonic philosophy was largely created by Plato (427-347 B.C.). Pojman (1996: 6). Richard Kraut (1996) notes Plato was a preeminent Greek philosopher who conceived the observable world as an imperfect image of the realm of the unobservable and unchanging forms. Kraut (1996: 619-620). Plato, in Timaeus, written in 360 B.C, viewed these forms as divinely moved objects. Plato (360 B.C.)(1982: 35). Mark D. Jordan notes Augustine was primarily affected by Neoplatonism before his conversion to Christianity. Jordan (1996: 52).
Augustine (398-399)(1992) states in Confessions he examined Platonist writings that supported his Biblical understanding of the nature of God. Augustine (398-399)(1992). Jordan states the Platonic writings helped Augustine to conceive of a cosmic hierarchy in the universe in which God was immaterial and had sovereign control over his material creation. Jordan (1996: 53).
However, very importantly, Jordan states Augustine saw philosophy alone as being unable to change his life as only God himself could do. Jordan (1996: 53). Augustine’s use of Plato does not in itself invalidate his understanding of Biblical writings where the two may happen to be in agreement. Augustine (398-399)(1992). From my overall research of Augustine and his free will theodicy, he places much emphasis on Biblical theology as primary. Augustine (398-399)(1992). And therefore although it is possible he could read Neoplatonism into his understanding of theodicy, it is also very likely he rejects Neoplatonism where it contradicts his Scriptural findings through in depth study. Augustine (398-399)(1992).
AUGUSTINE (388-395)(1964) On Free Choice of the Will, Translated by Anna S.Benjamin and L.H. Hackstaff, Upper Saddle River, N.J., Prentice Hall.
AUGUSTINE (398-399)(1992) Confessions, Translated by Henry Chadwick, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
AUGUSTINE (400-416)(1987)(2004) On the Trinity, Translated by Reverend Arthur West Haddan, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series One, Volume 3, Denver, The Catholic Encyclopedia.
AUGUSTINE (421)(1998) Enchiridion, Translated by J.F. Shaw, Denver, The Catholic Encyclopedia.
AUGUSTINE (426)(1958) The City of God, Translated by Gerald G. Walsh, Garden City, New York, Image Books.
AUGUSTINE (427)(1997) On Christian Doctrine, Translated by D.W. Robertson Jr., Upper Saddle River, N.J., Prentice Hall.
AUGUSTINE (427b)(1997) On Christian Teaching, Translated by R.P.H. Green, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
JORDAN, MARK D. (1996) ‘Augustine’, in Robert Audi (ed.), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, pp. 52-53. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
KRAUT, RICHARD (1996) ‘Plato’, in Robert Audi (ed.), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Cambridge, pp. 619-629. Cambridge University Press.
MACDONALD, SCOTT (1989) ‘Augustine’s Christian-Platonist Account of Goodness’, in The New Scholasticism, Volume 63, Number 4, pp. 485-509. Baltimore, The New Scholasticism.
PLATO (360 B.C.)(1982) ‘Timaeus’, in Process Studies, Volume. 12, Number 4, Winter, pp.243-251. Claremont, California, Process Studies.
POJMAN, LOUIS P. (1996) Philosophy: The Quest for Truth, New York, Wadsworth Publishing Company. Jugisland, BC (photo from trekearth.com)
An interesting observation, Augustine a Christian theologian studied non christian thinkers and their writings. I think this is good way of learning and understanding other points of view. In the end their could be good influences and ideas added to a Christian's thoughts and perceptions.
ReplyDelete-Just a Thought-
Do Neoplatonists like Neapolitan ice cream? Just wondering.
ReplyDeleteI agree, JAT.
ReplyDeletePhilosophy of Religion has its good points.
Chucky,
ReplyDeletePerhaps one will find Neoplates with secret messages on them...
My head!!
Having read City of God, it is clear that Augustine wrote this as a rebuttal to pagan philosophy and religion due to their blaming the sack of Rome on Christians. He spends extensive amounts of writing comparing and contrasting pagan ideas with Christianity, while showing himself to be thoroughly familiar with paganism. In this there are quotes from many sources so that it is difficult to even follow unless you have a good grounding in classical Roman and Greek religion, history, literature and philosophy, along with the Bible.
ReplyDeleteDo you think it makes sense to reduce all this to "Augustine was influenced by Platonic thought"?
'Having read City of God, it is clear that Augustine wrote this as a rebuttal to pagan philosophy and religion due to their blaming the sack of Rome on Christians. He spends extensive amounts of writing comparing and contrasting pagan ideas with Christianity, while showing himself to be thoroughly familiar with paganism. In this there are quotes from many sources so that it is difficult to even follow unless you have a good grounding in classical Roman and Greek religion, history, literature and philosophy, along with the Bible.
ReplyDeleteDo you think it makes sense to reduce all this to "Augustine was influenced by Platonic thought"?'
Thanks, Looney.
This is from my PhD work in regard to Augustine and free will theodicy.
Yes, it appears Augustine was influenced by Platonic thought.
Augustine still appears to place great emphasis on understanding the Bible on its own/in context.
I reason his theology and Christian philosophy is more so orthodox/traditional than Platonic.
My favorite Augustine quote on this subject:
ReplyDelete"Now, against the sacrilegious and impious darings of reason, we assert both that God knows all things before they come to pass, and that we do by our free will whatsoever we know and feel to be done by us only because we will it." - Augustine, City of God, V.9
Probably would be fun to read your dissertation when you are done.
Cheers.
ReplyDeleteBooks from my PhD Bibliography:
AUGUSTINE (388-395)(1964) On Free Choice of the Will, Translated by Anna S.Benjamin and L.H. Hackstaff, Upper Saddle River, N.J., Prentice Hall.
AUGUSTINE (398-399)(1992) Confessions, Translated by Henry Chadwick, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
AUGUSTINE (400-416)(1987)(2004) On the Trinity, Translated by Reverend Arthur West Haddan, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series One, Volume 3, Denver, The Catholic Encyclopedia.
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/130104.htm
AUGUSTINE (421)(1998) Enchiridion, Translated by J.F. Shaw, Denver, The Catholic Encyclopedia.
http://www.knight.org/advent
AUGUSTINE (426)(1958) The City of God, Translated by Gerald G. Walsh, Garden City, New York, Image Books.
AUGUSTINE (427)(1997) On Christian Doctrine, Translated by D.W. Robertson Jr., Upper Saddle River, N.J., Prentice Hall.
AUGUSTINE (427b)(1997) On Christian Teaching, Translated by R.P.H. Green, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
In continuation of Chucky's remark about Neoplatonists and Neapolitan ice cream (which made me laugh, even though I usually don't laugh at corny remarks), here is where you can find Augustine Ice Cream.
ReplyDeleteWe could hit it after catching a Jacksonville Jaguars game.
ReplyDeleteHey Russ,
ReplyDeleteAs you have stated: Augustine still appears to place great emphasis on understanding the Bible on its own/in context.
I appreciate that about him.
Glad you got back home safe and sound :)
Cheers, Tammy.
ReplyDeleteAugustine is helpful on several points.
Cheers, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteMy first loyalty is to God, and then family/friends followed by countries as in Canada and UK.
Thankfully Christianity, Biblically understood, is not requiring me to overthrow any government or political system.
I can be a Christian and Canadian/British without contradiction.
Has the USA built their philosophy on nationalism in the hopes that people of all religions that dwell within the walls of America will put their religions second place to the will and way of the United States?
ReplyDelete-Curious Mind-
Thanks,
ReplyDeleteI think serious people of faith will put religion before state almost every time.
My previous comment is in a Western context.
ReplyDelete'In Islam, there is no distinction between religion and state, as there is in the West. In Islamic culture (Shari'a law), Islam is the state. Islam is an entire civilization. It's a culture, a legal system, a thought system, and an ethical system. Islam is all-encompassing.'
Yes agreed, but at times there are those within Islam that wish to have a different type of Islamic rule I reason. This would explain civil war.
In the West, without the church/state connect those serious about their religious convictions would generally be loyal to religion over the secular state.
My previous comment is in a Western context.
ReplyDeleteI suspected that might be the case.
Yes agreed, but at times there are those within Islam that wish to have a different type of Islamic rule I reason.
Most definitely---especially the women, who are often beaten on a daily basis and are subjugated as being equivalent to a pet or animal. But there have been written letters coming out of Islamic countries that have stated the person feels completely trapped. For example, in Shari'a law, no questioning of Islam is allowed, and even questioning it can lead to physical punishment. Mocking Muhammad can lead to death. Leaving Islam (i.e., apostasy) is a capital crime, punishable by death. Nevertheless, I have read where, in certain countries, some Muslim women are driving cars, even though this is forbidden in Islam. Others have rebelled against wearing the burqa (the most concealing of all Islamic veils, which covers the entire face and body, leaving just a mesh screen to see through). My guess is that they are being influenced by the West. Nevertheless, as you have shown in your past articles, Russ, the West is most definitely being slowly overpowered more and more by Islam. Thankfully, however, at the same time, tens of thousands, or possibly millions, of Muslims are coming to Christ every year.
In the West, without the church/state connect those serious about their religious convictions would generally be loyal to religion over the secular state.
Agreed.
Jeff, have you seen this one?
ReplyDeleteAnother problem for Mr. Obama
This guy is crazy...
ReplyDelete(warning re: language)
Urban Sprinting
Burger Bowl-off
Big Stranger Rodeo
Thanks, Sir Chucklins.
ReplyDeleteThat second guy takes risks on the street.
Religion always out weighs the voice of state, but sometimes nationalism is the religion for a group of people which can create some interesting history.
ReplyDelete-eye spy-
Yes, with religion/state political connections,for example, historically.
ReplyDeleteThanks, my friend.
I have shown this on my blogs a couple of times before, but I like to feature it around Winter time.
ReplyDeleteLefortovo Tunnel, Russia
Oral Roberts dies at age 91:
ReplyDeleteOral Roberts
Your thoughts are elegant..your heart simply wise and lovely....
ReplyDeleteAloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
Thanks, Cloudia.
ReplyDeletePraise God.
Merry Christmas
Wow, what horrible footage of car accidents in the Russian tunnel!!
ReplyDeleteHuman nature is sometimes a mystery,
there are so many accidents caught on video in this particular tunnel, why don't people slow down and drive safer??
-Walter U No Who-
Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI reason that the government (s) should do something about the leaking river water above the tunnel, if they have not already.
Happy Holidays
wiki
'Lefortovo tunnel (Russian: Лефо́ртовский тоннель) is a road tunnel in the Lefortovo District in Moscow, Russia, opened in 2003. It is a part of the Third Ring Road. At 2.2 km (1.4 miles) long, it is the seventh longest in-city tunnel of Europe (after the Södra länken in Stockholm at 4.7 km, the Dublin Port Tunnel at 4.5 km, the Giovanni XXIII Tunnel in Rome at 2.9 km, North-Western Tunnel in Moscow at 2.8 km, the Leopold II tunnel in Brussels at 2.7 km and the Prado-Carénage Tunnel in Marseille at 2.45 km).
The tunnel runs under the Yauza River, and water leaks in at some points. The temperature can reach as low as −38[citation needed] degrees Celsius (as during the winter of 2005), causing the water on the road's surface to freeze.
It has been nicknamed "The Tunnel of Death" due to its high accident rate and a video circulating around the Internet compiling footage of vehicle accidents recorded by monitoring cameras.'
Iran Funding Universities and Professors in U.S.
ReplyDeleteThis is part of jihad through money: buying endowed chairs in universities, for example, to help spread a positive message of Islam to Westerners. As well, in certain schools in America, Canada and England, they teach children to wage war for Islam. Usually, however, it is Saudi Arabia that donates money to American universities.
'The report says that the Alavi Foundation donated $100,000 to Columbia University after the school agreed to host Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a speaker in 2007.'
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Cheers.
Islamic mosque built at 9/11 Ground Zero
ReplyDeleteycsq [url=http://stylomontblancsoldes.fr]stylo mont blanc[/url] acoxlo http://stylomontblancsoldes.fr pdyy [url=http://montblancstylopascher.fr]mont blanc[/url] ajcaro http://montblancstylopascher.fr dzaf [url=http://montblancpenscheap.co.uk]cheap mont blanc[/url] zvruir http://montblancpenscheap.co.uk quzo [url=http://montblancukstores.co.uk]mont blanc pens[/url] qdxima http://montblancukstores.co.uk ufar [url=http://montblancpensuksale.co.uk]mont blanc sale[/url] adwxsh http://montblancpensuksale.co.uk vzax [url=http://montblancukshop.co.uk]mont blanc uk[/url] fbrdzu http://montblancukshop.co.uk gbqk
ReplyDelete