Bishop, preacher, teacher : a social approach to St. Augustine's educational theory and practice
Date
2003
Authors
Pitts, Anna Michelle
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Abstract
This thesis takes a social approach to St. Augustine's preaching, arguing that his theoretical and practical model for Christian education transforms the prevalent model of secular education in response to the social reality of his audience. A traditional Roman education placed him among an elite that defined itself through the literary culture, rhetorical excellence, and social values imparted through education. It is unlikely that the same elite formation was prevalent among his audience at Hippo. Augustine's Confessions, De Doctrina Christiana, and De Catechizandis Rudibus confront this social reality with an educational theory that reverses elitist values, by changing the focus of education from stylistic perfection to content, especially the content of the creed and basic moral teachings, available to all Christians regardless of social or educational background. The Sermons apply this especially to the grammatical model, transforming its approach to text with the same focus on the basic content of Christianity.