At this week’s Theological Research Seminar, Brendan DePhillippeaux will be presenting, “Augustine the Modernist?: The Question of Triune Mediation in Augustine’s Epistemology.”
Read the abstract and his bio below.
All are welcome to attend in Camelford Hall (room 226) at McMaster Divinity College at 1:00pm or via livestream at the link below:
Join the Livestream
Password: z00m (Note that the password has zeros rather than “o”)
Abstract
Augustine of Hippo’s influence upon Western theology cannot be understated, which makes it unsurprising that his legacy has come under increased scrutiny in the highly critical intellectual context of 20th and 21st century theology. One of his more outspoken critics is the late British theologian Colin Gunton, whose significant work on creation theology, the doctrine of the Trinity, and Western intellectual history more generally was largely framed by a negative assessment of Augustine’s contribution in each of these areas. More specifically, Gunton charged Augustine with smuggling Neoplatonic thought into Christian theology, particularly through his use of Platonic “forms” in his doctrine of creation. This, Gunton claims, displaced the notion of triune mediation in favor of a dualistic understanding of creation that a) metaphysically confused the creator/creature relationship, and b) infected the doctrine of revelation with a notion of epistemic “immediacy” that paved the way for modern rationalism. While both of these aspects of Gunton’s critique have been competently challenged by a range of scholars, the present essay seeks to engage the second of these—namely Gunton’s argument concerning epistemic “immediacy”—by means of a closer analysis of Augustine’s trinitarian theology as it pertains to the doctrine of revelation. This essay contends against Gunton that Augustine’s epistemology does not represent the “contamination” of Western theology with Greek philosophy, but rather a constructive and dialectical project aimed at the “conversion” of Greek philosophy in conformity to Nicene trinitarianism. Augustine’s epistemology not only rejects key Platonic assumptions in favor of triune mediation, but even exceeds Gunton’s own criteria for a coherent doctrine of revelation, which this essay will seek to demonstrate primarily through examination of his later treatise On the Trinity.
Bio
My name is Brendan DePhillippeaux, and I am currently working on my PhD in systematic theology. As someone who naturally loves thinking about origins and pondering the numerous connections between theology, philosophy, and culture, I have found myself increasingly interested in the early church, especially the writings of the second-century Greek apologists. More specifically, my current research is focused on the theological hermeneutics of Irenaeus of Lyons, namely how the central role of tradition in his thinking enabled him to interpret all of Scripture as a single unified story of triune mediation ordering all creation toward redemption in Christ.
About TRS
The MDC Theological Research Seminar (TRS) is a bimonthly gathering for all MDC students and faculty. TRS meets over the lunch hour on Wednesdays, and includes about thirty minutes for the paper presentation and twenty minutes for discussion.
All advanced degree students are invited to present a paper and share your research with your colleagues. TRS is an excellent opportunity to “test drive” a paper you will be presenting at an upcoming conference and receive helpful feedback on your current research projects. Thinking about submitting an article to a journal and want some interaction first? TRS will provide it. Just published an article or an essay and want to share it us? TRS is an excellent opportunity to broadcast it.
This year the organizing committee consists of Dr. Francis Pang, Dr. Phil Zylla, and Dr. Gord Heath. To submit a paper, contact a member of the organizing committee.