Issues Analyst Gene TeSelle authors new book on
Augustine
[3-3-06]The title? Well, Augustine.
Abingdon Pillars of Theology is a series for the
college and seminary classroom designed to help students grasp the basic and
necessary facts, influence, and significance of major theologians. Written
by major scholars, these books will outline the context, methodology,
organizing principles, method, primary contributions, and major writings of
people who have shaped theology as we know it today.
For many, all theology subsequent to Augustine is a
footnote. He is influential, even today, because of his doctrinal
formulations, but even more important, Augustine is a stimulating thinker
and constant inquirer. Starting with his philosophical interest in
Platonism, which set the framework for his thinking, Eugene TeSelle examines
the major themes of Augustine's thought following a more or less
chronological order including human fulfillment, evil, creation, the human
self, the church and its doctrines, the course of human history, and the
relation of Christianity to political matters. Even those who think he was
wrong in his conclusions can respect Augustine's willingness to confront
problems and think through their implications.
"This book on Augustine allows the reader to appreciate
how easily one moves from the fourth or fifth century into modern times
and back. Eugene TeSelle thus invites the reader to appreciate some of the
most significant themes of Augustine’s thought – opening a kind of
dialogue between Augustine and other thinkers on topics such as evil and
grace, politics and piety, and more."
Allan Fitzgerald, O.S.A., Istituto Patristico "Augustinianum,"
Rome, Italy
"This is an extraordinary book. Eugene TeSelle is one of
the great masters of Augustine's thought, and here he draws upon his great
erudition to present the father of Western theology cogently and
comprehensively for the layperson. The book is at once short and
accessible but also profound and thought-provoking; a sensitive treatment
of Augustine in his own context, which also makes him wholly relevant for
today. TeSelle raises the big questions and provides ample material to
begin to answer them."
Carol Harrison, Lecturer in the History and Theology of
the Latin West, University of Durham, Durham, Great Britain
Eugene TeSelle is emeritus Oberlin Alumni/ae Professor of
Church History and Theology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville,
Tennessee. [And more important, of course, he has served for some years as a
leader in the Witherspoon Society, most recently as our Issues Analyst.]
He notes that his book is "not highly political, although
there are overtones."
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Publication Date: 04/2006
Binding: Paperback
Item#/ISBN:0687053617
Retail Price: $10.00
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