Catholic Theology: Key Concepts, Augustine's Confessions, and Narrative Types

What does "Logos" mean?

Spoken/written word; thought/idea; a definition or account.

What does "Theos" mean?

God/god.

What is theology?

An account of divinity.

What is natural theology?

An account of divinity based on observation of the universe.

What is sacred theology?

An account of divinity based on divine revelation.

What is Catholic theology?

An account of divinity based on both observation of the universe and divine revelation.

What is the difference between natural theology and sacred theology?

Natural theology uses observation of the universe; sacred theology uses divine revelation.

How does Catholic theology combine natural and sacred theology?

It combines observation of the universe with divine revelation.

What are the three stages of learning Catholic theology?

Philosophical preparation → study of Scripture → practical application.

What is the first stage of learning Catholic theology?

Philosophical preparation.

What is the second stage of learning Catholic theology?

Study of Scripture.

What is the third stage of learning Catholic theology?

Practical application.

Why study St. Augustine in Catholic theology?

To help apply Catholic theology.

When did St. Augustine of Hippo live?

354-430.

Where did Augustine live?

Northern Africa, under the Roman Empire.

What is the stated purpose of Augustine's Confessions?

To arouse/lead the mind and affections toward God.

Who is the focus of Confessions Books 1-10?

Augustine.

What are Confessions Books 11-13 focused on?

Scripture/the Bible.

What is the overall structure of Confessions Books 1-13?

Books 1-10 focus on Augustine; Books 11-13 focus on Scripture.

What is Confessions Book 1 about?

Childhood and original sin.

What does Book 1 examine regarding childhood?

How original sin influences childhood behavior.

What is Confessions Book 2 about?

Adolescence and free choices to sin.

What does Book 2 examine?

Why Augustine freely chose sins during adolescence.

What is Confessions Book 3 about?

Young adulthood and emotional gratification.

What does Book 3 examine?

Augustine's life revolving around emotional gratification.

What type of narrative are Books 1-3?

Tragic narrative.

What is the progression of Books 1-3?

Original sin → free choices → emotional gratification.

What kind of friendship does Augustine describe in Book 4?

A close, platonic friendship with one man.

What does Book 4 report concerning Augustine's relationship with his concubine?

It reports on the lustful deeds Augustine committed as he started the relationship.

What does Book 5 report about Augustine?

Augustine continued his relationship with his concubine while experiencing intellectual conversion/development, including his encounter with Catholic Christianity and Ambrose.

What does Book 6 report concerning Augustine's relationship with his concubine?

It reports on the lustful deeds as he ended the relationship.

What is the sequence of Augustine's relationship with his concubine across Books 4-6?

Book 4 = started → Book 5 = continued → Book 6 = ended.

What type of narrative are Books 4-6?

Ironic narrative.

What type of narrative are Books 7-9?

Comic narrative.

What is a comic narrative?

It begins with the main character doing poorly and ends with the character doing well.

What are the four narrative types discussed?

Tragic, ironic, comic, and romantic.

Which narrative type describes Books 1-3?

Tragic.

Which narrative type describes Books 4-6?

Ironic.

Which narrative type describes Books 7-9?

Comic.

What happens in Book 7?

Augustine becomes convinced of many Platonist beliefs.

What happens in Book 8?

Augustine experiences the garden conversion and becomes motivated to change and become less lustful.

What happens in Book 9?

Augustine is "born" as a baptized Christian.

What is the progression from Books 7-9?

Convinced → motivated → "born" as a baptized Christian.

Where does Augustine experience his famous conversion?

In a garden in Milan.

What does Augustine hear during his garden conversion?

"Take up and read."

What does Augustine read after hearing "Take up and read"?

Romans 12-13.

What happens at Ostia?

Augustine and Monica have a profound experience/conversation concerning eternal life.

Who is Monica?

Augustine's mother.

What is evil according to Augustine's account?

The privation or absence of God/goodness.

What is the opposite of privation?

The presence of good.

What type of narrative are Books 1-9 collectively?

Romantic narrative.

What do Books 1-9 primarily report?

Augustine's past.

What does Book 10 report?

Augustine's present.

What is Book 10?

A philosophical meditation.

What does Augustine discover by exploring the exterior world?

The Creator.

Why does Augustine explore the exterior world?

To know/discover the Creator.

What does Augustine explore through interior memory?

The distinction between God and creatures.

Why does Augustine explore interior memory?

To differentiate God from creatures.

How does Augustine describe memory?

As a vast inner space containing traces of experiences, concepts, sights, sounds, smells, and emotions.

What does Augustine search for in his memory?

God.

How does human happiness relate to memory and God?

Humans desire happiness, and memory/desire points toward God as the source of happiness.

What are the three concupiscences?

Lust of the flesh → lust of the eyes → pride of life.

What is the lust of the flesh?

Desire involving food, drink, and sexuality.

What is the lust of the eyes?

Curiosity and the desire to see/know.

What is the pride of life?

Desire for praise, honor, and power.

What is Christ's role as mediator?

Christ, as both God and man, bridges the gap between the human soul and God.

What does conversion involve according to the class discussion?

Acknowledging truth, practicing God, and humbling/understanding oneself.

How is God a "superior light"?

God has/can give every perfection.

What does the exterior world point toward?

The Creator.

What does interior memory help reveal?

The distinction between God and creatures.

What does the superior light point toward?

Perfection.

What type of literature is Confessions Book 11?

Hexaemeral literature.

What is Hexaemeral literature?

Theological commentary on the six days of creation.

What is the "eternal now"?

God exists outside human time and does not undergo temporal change.

How is human time described?

As deeply psychological.

What does distentio animi mean?

The "distension" or stretching of the mind across time.

How does Augustine relate the three dimensions of human time to the mind?

Past = memory; present = presence; future = expectation.

What is the connection between Genesis 1 and John 1?

Both connect creation to the Word/Logos.

What are possible meanings of "Principle"?

Beginning, source, or what comes from something; it can also refer to the Word/Logos.

What is the "Principle" in John's Gospel?

The eternal Word/Logos at the beginning.

What is the "Principle" in Genesis 1:1?

The beginning/source of creation; "In principio" means "in the beginning."

What does In principio mean?

"In the beginning."

How does God create in Genesis?

Intentionally, by speaking.

How does God's Word differ from human speech?

God's Word is eternal and unchanging, while human speech is temporal and fleeting.

What is Confessions Book 12 concerned with?

How to read and interpret Scripture, especially Genesis 1.

What does Augustine examine in Genesis in Book 12?

"Heaven and earth," along with emptiness/darkness and the movement from disorder to order.

Can Scripture have multiple meanings?

Yes. Scripture can have multiple meanings.

What is the first rule for biblical interpretation?

Consider the possible meanings of the words.

What is the second rule for biblical interpretation?

Rule out meanings that are not true. Because God is the main author and has perfect intellect and perfect will, God cannot be deceived and would not deceive.

What are the third and fourth rules for biblical interpretation?

Rule out meanings that do not make sense in context; accept meanings that are both true and make sense in context.

How does the Trinity eternally share divine existence?

The Father gives without losing, the Son receives without gaining, and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit eternally give and receive divine existence without gain or loss.

Who are the human and divine authors of Genesis?

Moses is the human author; God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — is the divine author.

What does the light on Day 1 symbolize?

The angels and the fall of the angels.

What does the dome/heaven on Day 2 symbolize?

The invisible heaven and the fall of the human race.

What do the gathered waters and land on Day 3 symbolize?

The gathering of God's people.

What do the sun and stars on Day 4 symbolize?

The activity of the holy Israelites.

What do the non-human animals on Day 5 symbolize?

The instruction of the Gentiles.

What do human beings on Day 6 symbolize?

The incarnation of Jesus and the salvation of humans.

What does God's rest on Day 7 symbolize?

God resting from creation.