Saint Augustine's work On Christian Teaching seeks to give Christian readers insight on how to properly read and interpret religious text. Speaking from within the Christian lense, Augustine provides several interesting methods to properly achieve a sold grasp on religious text. One of the more noticable methods prescribed is careful and complete reading of the text while noting more obivious expressions and obscure expressions of faith. He then prescribes that the readers use the more obvious expressions to "illuminate obscure expressions" and make connections throughout the work. This method can be applied to the main religious text read in class, The Book of Psalms.
This specific prescription of Augustine can be found on page thirty-seven of On Christian Teaching. What Augustine seems to really be getting at here is first a through and complete generally reading of a religious text. He does not expect or even suggest understanding of the text, but rather gaining a concrete knowledge of the actual content. After this reading, he suggests careful examination of the more clearly stated morals and beliefs so as to gain a solid understanding of the basic foundation of the text. Once one does this, they can move on the the more difficult and hard to understand sections. Augustine suggests that one uses the basic principles and apply them to the difficult sections in order to gain a better understanding.
This can be applied to the Psalms as well as any other religious text. For example, Augustine would have us read carefully through all the Psalms and discover the more basic principles that are layed out. In the Psalms, worship, faith, and fear of God are all very basic principles clearly layed out. Augustine would have us look at these basic tenents and apply them to the more fantastic and obscure analogies throughout the work in ordre to gain a better understanding. It is this methodology that is useful for both Christian and non-Christian readers alike to help grast the meanings behind these acient works.
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