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

Thesis (MA (Ancient Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of the quotations of Paul’s
Epistle to the Romans in the conversion narratives in Augustine’s Confessions. The
Confessions is an account of Augustine’s conversion to Catholic Christianity.
Within the Confessions there are many conversion narratives which form part of a
greater narrative that culminates in Augustine’s final conversion in Book 8 of the
Confessions. Within these conversion narratives, Augustine often quotes from
Romans.
In the first chapter, I discuss the use of Rom. 10:14‐15 in the opening paragraph of
the Confessions, particularly Augustine’s sensitivity to the diatribe style. The
opening paragraph is also significant within the context of the conversion
narratives, as it features Augustine in his converted state and effectively
represents the goal towards which the conversion narratives will strive. My
second chapter deals with the “aversion” narrative in Conf. 5.3.5 and the use of
Rom. 1:21‐25. Much attention is given to Augustine’s allusion to apologetic
works, particularly the Wisdom of Solomon, which Rom. 1:21‐25 emulates. Chapter
three is concerned with the significance of Rom. 1:21‐25 in the intellectual
conversion of Augustine. While Augustine reuses a quotation in Conf. 7.9.13‐15, I
focus on the unique use of this quotation and its specific significance to the
intellectual conversion. The fourth chapter deals with the scriptural conversion
and Augustine’s use of Rom. 7:22‐25. In the final chapter, I discuss the use of the
references to Romans in Book 8 which Augustine has already quoted earlier in the
Confessions. I then show how these quotations affect the interpretation of the
spiritual conversion at the end of Book 8. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om die gebruik van die verwysings na Paulus se
Brief aan die Romeine in die bekeringsverhale in Augustinus se Confessiones te
ondersoek. Die Confessiones is ’n berig van Augustinus se bekering tot die
Katolieke Christendom. In die Confessiones is daar baie bekeringsverhale wat deel
vorm van ’n groter verhaal wat sy voltooiing in die slotbekeringsverhaal in Boek
8 van die Confessiones vind. In hierdie bekeringsverhale haal Augustinus dikwels
Romeine aan.
In die eerste hoofstuk bespreek ek die gebruik van Rom. 10:14‐15 in die
inleidende paragraaf van die Confessiones, met klem op Augustinus se
aanwending van die diatribe styl. Die inleidende paragraaf is ook van belang
met betrekking tot die bekeringsverhale, omdat dit Augustinus in ’n bekeerde
toestand uitbeeld en effektief die doel verteenwoordig wat die bekeringsverhale
nastreef. My tweede hoofstuk handel oor die “afkeer”‐toneel in Conf. 5.3.5 en die
gebruik van Rom. 1:21‐25. Aandag word gegee aan Augustinus se toespeling op
apologetiese werke, veral die Wysheid van Salomo, wat deur Rom. 1:21‐25
nageboots word. Hoofstuk drie handel oor die belang van Rom. 1:21‐25 in die
intellektuele bekeringsverhaal van Augustinus. In Conf. 7.9.13‐15 gebruik
Augustinus weer ’n keer dieselfde aanhaling, en hier is die fokus op die unieke
gebruik van hierdie aanhaling en sy spesifieke konteks binne die intellektuele
bekeringsverhaal. Die vierde hoofstuk handel oor Augustinus se bekering tot die
Skrif en sy gebruik van Rom. 7:22‐25. In die laaste hoofstuk bespreek ek die
gebruik van verwysings na Romeine wat Augustinus alreeds vroeër aangehaal
het in Boek 8 van die Confessiones. Ten slotte toon ek aan hoe hierdie aanhalings
die interpretasie van die geestelike bekeringsverhaal aan die einde van Boek 8
beïnvloed.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2551
Date12 1900
CreatorsJordaan, Donovan
ContributorsKotze, Annemare, University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
PublisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
RightsUniversity of Stellenbosch

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