Magic in Language and Ritual: Notes on Augustine's Confessions

"I am simply arguing that, as with the later reformation, the Augustinian reform begins in an attempt to invest language with the powers formally ascribed to ritual itself. Augustine wanted to distinguish through language the lineage of those in the terrestrial city from that other lineage destined...

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Bibliographic Details
Author:R. Fenn
Published: S.n., s.l., 1986
Volume:25
Pages:77-91
Notes:Symposium on Augustine's Confessions, bibliogr. (8 réf.)
Periodical:Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
Number:1
Format:Article
Topic:- Works > Confessiones
- Doctrine > The World > [Les sciences] > [Magie. Superstition]
- Doctrine > Man > [Doctrine de la connaissance] > [Signes. La parole] > [Parole/langage/langue]
Status:Needs Review
Description
Summary:"I am simply arguing that, as with the later reformation, the Augustinian reform begins in an attempt to invest language with the powers formally ascribed to ritual itself. Augustine wanted to distinguish through language the lineage of those in the terrestrial city from that other lineage destined to conquer death itself" (p. 77). L'A. présente ainsi une communication intéressante et parfois brillante, mais qui apparaître bien suprenante (si ce n'est vaine) aux patristiciens habitués aux procédés stylistiques (la récurrence des citations bibliques, par exemple) et techniques (l'oralité, la diction du texte) qui avaient cours dans les premiers siècles chrétiens.