Abstract

In the original, unfinished De doctrina Christiana , Augustine analyzed the inventio, the so-called "discovery aspect" of scriptural hermeneutics. This dissertation investigates the symbiotic relationship between Augustine's hermeneutical praecepta and Christology. It is argued that Augustine's theory of interpretation in the above-mentioned treatise has a Christological design. Since Augustine's hermeneutical project presumes his Christological epistemology, De doctrina Christiana is approached through Contra Academicos and De magistro . The former defends the possibility of certain knowledge, and the latter explains how this knowledge is gained through the illuminative activity of the Inner Teacher. The first three books of De doctrina Christiana are studied in their given sequence. The only interruption of this sequence is Chapter Three, which studies linguistic signification in ancient philosophy and prepares the ground for understanding Augustine's scientia signorum and the fundamental Christological analogy in doc. Chr. 1.13. ;In the Prologue, the bishop of Hippo corrected certain opponents who had radicalized his doctrine of illumination. Then, in Book One, he identified the Christian preunderstanding, namely the regula fidei and the double commandment of love, which provided the criterion for an adequate interpretation of the scripture. In Books Two and Three of De doctrina Christiana, Augustine introduced his scientia signorum. The bishop of Hippo investigated that which the scripture stated according to the categories of unknown literal and figurative signs, and of ambiguous literal and figurative signs. After focusing on interpreting the ambiguous figurative signs, the last chapter of this dissertation analyzes the fundamental Christological analogy in doc. Chr. 1.13. Christ's incarnation is analogous to our thoughts which employ a material medium in order to be communicated. Augustine's whole scientia signorum is constructed around the fundamental Sign, the humanity of Christ, which in its hypostatic union with the divine nature enables one to know God through Christ the man. Thus, it is proposed that the key to understand the hermeneutical praecepta of De doctrina Christiana is Christology.