28953 - Ancient Christian Literature (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

A general acquaintance with the early Christian literature and its historical development from the beginnings to the 8th century. This goal is aimed at mainly through studies on single authors and their writings, within the context of classical literatures and also with a look to the reception of early Christian literature in the Middle Ages and in modern times. The student should also familiarise himself with the existence of a literary heritage of eastern Christianity, especially the Syriac and Coptic literature.

Course contents

 “Gratia est...”: Augustine, Ad Simplicianum – the Interpretation of the Bible and the Doctrine of Grace

With his two books Ad Simplicianum, written between 395 and 396, Augustine answered several questions of biblical interpretation raised by the future successor of Ambrose as bishop of Milan. Their fundamental importance consist in the fact that they represent the first organic formulation of the doctrine of grace. Augustine elaborates it while commenting upon the Pauline text of Romans 9. According to this doctrine, salvations rests upon God's initiative by means of his sovereign grace, while man cannot invoke any merit at all before God. The course will deal not only on this crucial text of Ad Simplicianum I 2, but will examine also the other themes of biblical interpretation on the Old and the New Testament, in the framework of the literary genre of quaestiones et responsiones.

Readings/Bibliography

Main recommended readings:
– Augustinus, De diversis quaestionibus ad Simplicianum, ed. A. Mutzenbecher (Corpus Christianorum. Series Latina, 57), Turnhout 1984. 
– Agostino, Le diverse questioni a Simpliciano (Nuova Biblioteca Agostiniana, VI/2), Roma 1995. 
– K. Flasch, Logik des Schreckens. Augustinus von Hippo, De diversis quaestionibus ad Simplicianum I 2, Mainz 1990, 2. Aufl. 1995. – G. Lettieri, L'altro Agostino. Ermeneutica e retorica della grazia dalla crisi alla metamorfosi del De doctrina christiana, Brescia 2001.   A general bibliography will be at the disposal of the students at the beginning of the course.  

Teaching methods

Reading, translation and commentary of the text.

Assessment methods

Oral examination.  The program includes:  a) Reading and interpretation of Augustine, De diversis quaestionibus ad Simplicianum (translation from the Latin text for the students of classics);  b) Reading of a monograph or a series of articles to be chosen from the general bibliography of the course;  c) Reading of a handbook of Early Christian literature to be chosen among several options.   A distinct program for the students who cannot frequent the course is possible after an oral arrangement with the teacher.

Office hours

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