Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Augustine on Rhetoric

(Originally written January 23, 2007 in Book 12)

Augustine (354 - 430 AD)
- Bishop of Hippo

On Christian Doctrine
- Humans need to understand signs
- Talent to do interpretation
- Ecclesiastical or sacred orator
- Orator does not convert: oration comes post-conversion
- Encouraged the use of vernacular to reach audiences

Definition - the means of discovering what the thought may be and the means of expressing what the thought is

Purpose -  discover, instruct, please, persuade

Epistemology - the Word and thought are the same thing in Jesus

3 Styles of speaking:

Instructing - Simple style
Pleasing - Middle style (intellectually pleased with God's law)
Moving - Grand (DO the truth)


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