More Gilson on Augustine on Teaching
The sobering reality continues! . . .
Gilson writes the following (on Augustine on teaching):
"Masters merely explain, with the help of words, the disciplines they profess to teach; then those who are called students search within themselves to see if the things their masters tell them are true." (Augustine, 74).
- Details
- Written by Brad Green Brad Green
- Category: Recommended Reading Recommended Reading
- Published: 06 September 2016 06 September 2016
- Hits: 2277 2277
Gilson the Realist
About two years ago I was helped immensely in reading two of Etienne Gilson's books on realism. I hope to write a biblical theology of knowledge, and Gilson has proved helpful. Interestingly, Gilson had some influence on the French Reformed theologian, Auguste Lecerf, as seen in Lecerf's An Introduction to Reformed Dogmatics (mentioned elsewhere on this site). In discussing Augustine's understanding of "rational knowledge," there are some gems in Gilson. He writes: ""finding [i.e., finding knowledge/truth] is not making." And: "the manner in which the mind arrives at truth does not allow us to assume that the mind is the author of truth." (page 73 in Gilson's The Christian Philosophy of Saint Augustine).
- Details
- Written by Brad Green Brad Green
- Category: Recommended Reading Recommended Reading
- Published: 06 September 2016 06 September 2016
- Hits: 2183 2183
More Gilson on Augustine on Teaching
Etienne Gilson, in summarizing Augustine argues that for Augustine, the teacher in a key sense does not "teach" the person he is (purportedly!) "teaching." Rather: teachers "invite him [the student] to enter into himself that he may acquire knowledge of the truths already there." (page 70)
- Details
- Written by Brad Green Brad Green
- Category: Recommended Reading Recommended Reading
- Published: 06 September 2016 06 September 2016
- Hits: 2126 2126
Augustine on the Nature of Teaching
One of the things I am doing while on research leave is trying to finish a book on Augustine. It is an introduction, and is being written for Christian Focus in Scotland. It is--to say the least--a tad intimidating to try and write an "Introduction" (!!!) to Augustine. But on we go. I am working through Etienne Gilson's The Christian Philosophy of Saint Augustine. On page 69 Gilson is discussing Augustine on the nature of teaching, and whether a teacher really teaches anything at all (a sobering thought for a professor).
Here is Gilson on Augustine:
"When a teacher instructs a pupil, does he put into the pupil's mind the ideas signified by the words he uses? In short, is there such a thing as teaching?"
Sobering indeed!
- Details
- Written by Brad Green Brad Green
- Category: Recommended Reading Recommended Reading
- Published: 06 September 2016 06 September 2016
- Hits: 3656 3656
Research Leave at Tyndale House
Greetings Friends. The Greens are on Research Leave at Tyndale House in Cambridge, England. It is a great place to study. I am thankful that my employer, Union University, gave the green light for this. Happy to be here!
- Details
- Written by Brad Green Brad Green
- Category: Recommended Reading Recommended Reading
- Published: 22 August 2016 22 August 2016
- Hits: 2374 2374
Welcome to the New Site
Hi Folks!
The wonderful Fran Lancaster has helped me update the site (the site SHE helped create). She has been absolutely super. If you see bugs or problems please do let me know.
Take care,
Brad
- Details
- Written by Brad Green Brad Green
- Category: Recommended Reading Recommended Reading
- Published: 21 August 2016 21 August 2016
- Hits: 2301 2301