Augustine and the Cure of Souls: Revising a Classical Ideal

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Contents Acknowledgments xi Abbreviations xiii Introduction 1 Rhetoric and Christian Identity in the Roman Empire Sources and Method Part One. A Classical Ideal Chapter One. Classical Therapy: Its Origins, Tasks, and Methods 19 Psychagogy as a Cultural Ideal Psychagogy in Its Classical Form Chapter Two. Hellenistic Refinements 41 Cures for the Roman Soul The Psychagogic Value of Ancient Texts Part Two. Revising and Recontextualizing Classical Therapy Chapter Three. Augustine’s Early Formation 65 An Ambitious Young Orator Being Healed by Beautiful Words Chapter Four. Christianizing Classical Therapy 88 Christian Philosophy and the Cure of Soul Christ’s Inner and Outer Rhetoric Chapter Five. A New Context for Classical Therapy 118 Ordination Crisis Controversies over the Cure of Soul Chapter Six. Signs Eliciting Love 139 Exegetical Integration Teaching the Uninstructed Part Three. Augustine’s Homiletical Practice Chapter Seven. The Christian Rhetor 167 Continuity amid Discontinuity Critical Skills Constructive Guidance Chapter Eight. Therapy and Society 198 The Incarnate Word and Community Conclusion Notes 210 Bibliography 310 Index 338 x Contents ...