Saint Augustine: Tractates on the Gospel of John 28–54
Overview
In his preaching, St. Augustine developed an oratorical style based on the classical rhetoric he had learned prior to his conversion which he adapted to the unique demands of Christian preaching. He still recognized the classical ends of rhetoric: to teach, to please, and to persuade. He gave, however, the place of most importance to content: what was said was more important than how it was said. He eschewed the more elaborate figures of speech, using a more direct manner to educate an audience that was, to a great extent, illiterate. The result, however, is not a debased Ciceronian style but a method of preaching that is clear, lively, and well-suited to its purpose.
Just as Augustine’s oratorical style was subordinated to the demands of preaching the gospel of Christ, so also his method of commentary was similarly influenced by his duty as pastor at Hippo to instruct his flock in matters of faith and morals. His commentary, then, contains more than exegesis. His reflections on Scripture lead him to discussions of both moral action and dogma.
Augustine’s extemporaneous style and broad range of interests are evident in the tractates included in this volume, in which he comments on chapters 7–12 of St. John’s Gospel. These chapters contain some of the best-known episodes from the life of Christ: the encounter with the woman caught in adultery, the healing of the man born blind, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, Mary’s anointing of Christ’s feet, and Christ’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. The passages also contain some of Christ’s most explicit teaching of his divinity. In unfolding the mysteries contained in these chapters of St. John, Augustine moves easily from exegesis to reflections on moral virtue and doctrine, especially the Trinity and the Incarnation. But he never loses sight of his audience. Even in his comments on the loftiest of ideas, he strives to make the teaching accessible to all.
These tractates, then give us a glimpse of the man that we do not often get from his other works. Augustine’s preaching shows us not only his brilliant mind and rhetorical skills as he expounds upon the Scriptures but also the great love he had for Christ and for the faithful entrusted to his care.
For The Fathers of the Church series in its entirety, see Fathers of the Church Series (127 vols.).
Key Features
- Uses rhetorical technique to communicate interesting sermons on the book of John
- Written in a style reflective of ancient orators
- One of 127 published volumes in a well-respected series on the Church Fathers
Top Highlights
“If you have not understood, I say, believe. For understanding is the recompense of faith.13 Therefore, seek not to understand so that you may believe, but believe so that you may understand; for ‘unless you believe, you will not understand.’” (Page 18)
“What, then, has the Lord to do with those endangered by these diseases? To those who are endangered by hope, he says this: ‘Delay not to be converted to the Lord; and put it not off from day to day; for suddenly his wrath will come, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy you.’22 To those who are endangered by despair, what does he say? ‘On whatever day the wicked man is converted, I shall forget all his iniquities.’23 Therefore, because of those who are endangered by despair, he has proposed the harbor of forgiveness; because of those who are endangered by hope and deluded by delays, he has made the day of death uncertain. You do not know when the last day may come. Are you ungrateful because you have today, in which you may be corrected?” (Pages 58–59)
“What am I to do? Where am I to go? In what way am I to escape? When you say these things, then Christ growls in complaint, because faith growls. In the voice of the one growling in complaint appears the hope of the one arising. If there is faith within, Christ is there, growling in complaint; if faith is in us, Christ is in us. For what else did the Apostle say: ‘to have Christ dwell through faith in your hearts’?35 Therefore, your faith concerning Christ is Christ in your heart.” (Page 254)
“Hear further: Christ wept; let the man weep for himself. For why did Christ weep except to teach man to weep? Why did he growl and trouble himself, except that the faith of a man justly displeased with himself ought in some way to growl in accusation of his evil works in order that the habit of sinning may give way to the vehemence of penitance?” (Page 255)
- Title: Saint Augustine: Tractates on the Gospel of John 28–54
- Author: Augustine of Hippo
- Series: The Fathers of the Church
- Volume: 88
- Publisher: Catholic University of America
- Print Publication Date: 1993
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 336
- Era: era:nicene
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. John › Sermons--Early works to 1800; Sermons, English › Translations from Latin--Early works to 1800; Sermons, Latin › Translations into English--Early works to 1800
- ISBNs: 0813200784, 0813200792, 0813200881, 9780813200781, 9780813200798, 9780813200880
- Resource ID: LLS:TRCTTSGSPLJHN28
- Resource Type: text.monograph.sermons
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T21:02:57Z
