Orthodox Perspectives on Saint Augustine
It is not unusual in Orthodox circles to hear Augustine of Hippo mentioned in polemical if not pejorative terms – that is, if discussed at all. Until very recently, the prevailing general narrative in modern times is that Augustine was linguistically and culturally confined to a rapidly deterioratin...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
2018
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| In: |
Journal of religion & society. Supplement
Year: 2018, Volume: 15, Pages: 227-241 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | It is not unusual in Orthodox circles to hear Augustine of Hippo mentioned in polemical if not pejorative terms – that is, if discussed at all. Until very recently, the prevailing general narrative in modern times is that Augustine was linguistically and culturally confined to a rapidly deteriorating Romanitas, and that his theology – and by extension his anthropology – was at odds with pristine Orthodoxy, and would have been rejected had it been known. Such attitudes rely upon, and in turn have contributed to, the perception of a cultural and theological chasm dividing Greek East and Latin West that has prevailed in Orthodox scholarship since the twentieth century. This paper critiques these persistent negative perspectives on Augustine by focusing on some of the persons, factors, and motivations behind them. It argues that residual negative attitudes about Augustine arose largely as a result of the late modern reassessment of Orthodox self-identity that exaggerates theological differences at the expense of catholicity. Finally, it calls attention to recent efforts among some Orthodox scholars to restore balance in assessing Augustine’s rightful place in Orthodox tradition. |
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| ISSN: | 1941-8450 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of religion & society. Supplement
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