Augustine's Deer Visits the Ophthalmologist: Exercising the Eyes of Faith in "Enarrationes in Psalmos" 41

Augustine's exposition of Ps 41[42] is an exploration of the deer's "holy longing" to see God. I suggest that in Enarrat. Ps. 41 Augustine proposes a series of spiritual exercises—a program of rehabilitation—in order to train the soul to see God. Thus, Augustine's theologica...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Boersma, Gerald P. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: The Pennsylvania State University Press 2016
In: Journal of theological interpretation
Year: 2016, Volume: 10, Issue: 2, Pages: 209-225
IxTheo Classification:CB Christian life; spirituality
HB Old Testament
KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity
NBC Doctrine of God
Further subjects:B Theology
B Soul music
B Psalms
B Eyes
B Tabernacles
B Desire
B Pilgrimages
B Fountains
B Spiritual visions
B Ophthalmology
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:Augustine's exposition of Ps 41[42] is an exploration of the deer's "holy longing" to see God. I suggest that in Enarrat. Ps. 41 Augustine proposes a series of spiritual exercises—a program of rehabilitation—in order to train the soul to see God. Thus, Augustine's theological interpretation of the psalm develops an anagogical spirituality, acclimatizing the inductee to the vision of God. The bishop guides his congregants through this training regimen to sharpen their inner vision so that their longing to see God may be fulfilled. But Enarrat. Ps. 41 remains a psalm of groaning—at the conclusion of the exercises the soul still cannot see God. Although God remains unseen, Augustine suggests the psalm holds out hope: an ecclesially mediated, sacramental vision of God obtains in this life; it is a vision that anticipates, and, indeed, participates in the eschatological vision of God.
ISSN:2576-7933
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of theological interpretation
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.2307/26373914