Augustine's use of Romans in the conversion narratives of the Confessions

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of the quotations of Paul'sEpistle to the Romans in the conversion narratives in Augustine's Confessions. TheConfessions is an account of Augustine's conversion to Catholic Christianity.Within the Confessions there are many conversion narratives which form part of agreater narrative that culminates in Augustine's final conversion in Book 8 of theConfessions. Within these conversion narratives, Augustine often quotes fromRomans.In the first chapter, I discuss the use of Rom. 10:14‐15 in the opening paragraph ofthe Confessions, particularly Augustine's sensitivity to the diatribe style. Theopening paragraph is also significant within the context of the conversionnarratives, as it features Augustine in his converted state and effectivelyrepresents the goal towards which the conversion narratives will strive. Mysecond chapter deals with the 'aversion narrative in Conf. 5.3.5 and the use ofRom. 1:21‐25. Much attention is given to Augustine's allusion to apologeticworks, particularly the Wisdom of Solomon, which Rom. 1:21‐25 emulates. Chapterthree is concerned with the significance of Rom. 1:21‐25 in the intellectualconversion of Augustine. While Augustine reuses a quotation in Conf. 7.9.13‐15, Ifocus on the unique use of this quotation and its specific significance to theintellectual conversion. The fourth chapter deals with the scriptural conversionand Augustine's use of Rom. 7:22‐25. In the final chapter, I discuss the use of thereferences to Romans in Book 8 which Augustine has already quoted earlier in theConfessions. I then show how these quotations affect the interpretation of thespiritual conversion at the end of Book 8.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University