Romani Principes Adversum Nos Provocantur: Augustine of Hippo’s Epistula 87 to Emeritus of Caesarea

Prior to the 411 colloquy at Carthage, Augustine had written to Emeritus, the Donatist bishop of Cherchell, urging him to abandon his adherence to Donatism. A complaint of the Donatists against the Caecilianists was that they urged the state to persecute Donatists. Augustine put words into Emeritus’...

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Dettagli Bibliografici
Autore principale: Dunn, Geoffrey D. 1962- (Autore)
Tipo di documento: Elettronico Articolo
Lingua:Inglese
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Pubblicazione: Brill 2018
In: Scrinium
Anno: 2018, Volume: 14, Fascicolo: 1, Pagine: 7-24
Notazioni IxTheo:CG Cristianesimo e politica
KAB Cristianesimo delle origini
Altre parole chiave:B Augustine of Hippo Donatism religious coercion religious violence
Accesso online: Volltext (Verlag)
Descrizione
Riepilogo:Prior to the 411 colloquy at Carthage, Augustine had written to Emeritus, the Donatist bishop of Cherchell, urging him to abandon his adherence to Donatism. A complaint of the Donatists against the Caecilianists was that they urged the state to persecute Donatists. Augustine put words into Emeritus’ mouth: “… you stir up the Roman emperors against us.” (Ep. 87.8) Augustine told Emeritus that one can only be persecuted if one’s cause is right; if evil then it is legitimate punishment. In Augustine’s view the Donatists have brought imperial punishment (not persecution) upon themselves because of their schism. This paper will show how Augustine sidesteps a dilemma using Paul’s letter to the Romans: while it is true that Christians should not judge each other (Rom 14:4), it is the responsibility of the state to punish wrongdoers (Rom 13:2-4), while it is the responsibility of Christians to rehabilitate them (Rom 11:23).
ISSN:1817-7565
Comprende:In: Scrinium
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/18177565-00141P03