We shall see God face to face : crossroads in Augustine's journey of the soul

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Augustine of Hippo is commonly described as an instrumental figure in the gradual development of modern human identity. He is thought to envision the human person as primarily an inward-looking creature, and this directional focus offers a foundation for the modern self that is autonomous and set apart from the external world. Yet this inwardness does not characterize the entirety of Augustinian personhood. While often rightly valuing Augustine's contributions to epistemology, it marginalizes the equally significant religious dimensions of his thought. This master's thesis examines the place of Augustine's inwardness amidst his outward-looking social theology and forward-looking eschatology, contending that the Augustinian person is ideally thought to be on a transformative journey to God. This journey is marked by illumination, moral rehabilitation of the soul, and the pressing need for community. In addition, it demonstrates the need to study Augustine with a wider array of concerns in view, because he himself did not neatly categorize his opinions. By giving greater attention to his soteriology, the dynamic and transformative elements of Augustine's epistemology are better understood. Drawing both of these together by his strong sense of hope for the future life after death points them in the appropriate direction and reveals that the destination shapes the journey.