Augustinus

The paper deals with the use of the term conscientia in St. Augustine’s early Enarrationes in Psalmos (1-32), to trace the development of the idea of Interiority, and how the word conscientia is used to present the idea of an Inner Space with specific characteristics, and how conscientia’s Inner Space has two parts, and epistemological dimension called cor and an affectional dimension called ‘renes’, and how only God and the person can enter into this internal space, to make an examination of the thoughts and desires. The paper also underlines the biblical references that are used by St. Augustine to define the inner space represented by conscientia.

The article deals with Augustine’s De Genesi ad litteram. A brief presentation of the work, its chronology and contents is made, to later consider the ecological elements of the Work. First of all, the text of Wis 11:21 is approached, to emphasize that all creation has been the work of the Trinity, which acts in everything with a measure, a number and a weight. A brief presentation is made of the exegesis of Wis 11:21 in other works of St. Augustine, particularly De Genesi aduersus manicheos and the second book of De libero arbitrio. Subsequently, a reflection is made on the differences among the living beings that St. Augustine establishes within De Genesi ad litteram, in order to emphasize the superiority of the human being over creatures, as image and likeness of God, as well as the impossibility of the transmigration of the soul from a human being to an animal, or vice versa. The importance of the command given by God to man to cultivate and take care of the garden of Eden is emphasized, stressing the ecological elements of this command, as well as its ecological implications. The article shows how creation has a “sacramental” character, since the perfection, beauty and order of the Creator are embodied in all his creatures, as an invitation to discover the Creator through his creatures. The ideas presented in De Genesi ad litteram are also linked to other Augustinian works, especially the first commentaries on the Book of Genesis and some of Augustine’s early works.