The Universal Way of Salvation in the Thought of Augustine

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This work examines Augustines critique of his Roman predecessors to reveal key aspects of Christs mediation of the universal way of salvation. Porphyry of Tyre had noticed that Christianity can make a claim that pagan religion and pagan philosophy cannot: that all types of human being can be saved through the one salvific action of Christ mediated sacramentally through the one Catholic Church. Augustines response to Porphyry is grounded firmly on Christology, especially on what Augustine sees to be the unique act of Christ as mediator, based in turn on Christs unique position as true God and true man, which in turn is capable of healing the whole man and, by healing the whole man, also healing each of the parts of the soul. Christ himself, as concretely universal, is capable of saving each and any type of human being, no matter which part of the soul rules within him, Augustine counters, which is not a claim his pagan interlocutors can replicate.

In addition to careful considerations of ancient authors like Plato, Cicero, Varro, and Porphyry, this book also ranges through Plutarch, Shakespeare, and contemporary political thinkers like Pierre Manent and Leo Strauss; scholars of religion such as Michael Bland Simmons, theologians such as Erik Peterson and Ernest L. Fortin, as well as well-known Augustine scholars such as James Wetzel, G.R. Evans, John Cavadini, Robert Dodaro, Mary Keys, Michael Foley, Rowan Williams, Oliver ODonovan, John Rist, and many others.

Reviews

At a time when an abstract and sentimental 'universalism' is disorienting and hollowing out Western societies, Thomas Harmon's book judiciously helps us to grasp anew the unique import of the Christian offer of salvation to all human beings. Through a sober, learned and refreshingly clear reading of Augustine, it explains how the mediation of Christ is uniquely able to overcome and cure the otherwise intractable divisions among human beings and within every human breast. For those who have not given up on asking how they should live, this is a courageous, encouraging and illuminating book. * Pierre Manent, The School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences, France *
The Universal Way of Salvation in the Thought of Augustine sheds new light on an old distinction, that between the few and the many or the wise and the unwise. Thomas Harmon masterfully explores the writings of St. Augustine and discovers that although Augustine was well aware of the distinction and even influenced by it in the way that he categorized people, his Christian faith sought ways to minimize or transcend the gulf between the elite and hoi polloi, all in imitation of the Mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ. This volume is well poised to become the definitive word on the subject. * Michael P. Foley, Baylor University, USA *
In the preface to Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche famously quips that Christianity is Platonism for the people. Thomas Harmons Augustine gives the lie to that seductive simplification. Harmon shows us that in his deep engagement with the great scholastic Platonist, Porphyry of Tyre, Augustine chides Porphyry not simply for his metaphysical mischiefhis tendency to pit intellect against affectbut also for his self-serving exultation of mental askesis. It is no liberation to exult your spirit to spite your flesh. Much of Harmons intricate exegesis of Augustines case for an incarnate, Christ-transfigured universalism centers on City of God. But the universalist thematic is not confined there, as Harmon also effectively shows. One of the many virtues of Universal Way is Harmons deft ability to tease out the (body) politics of an essentially transpolitical faith. * James Wetzel, Villanova University, USA *

Author Bio

Thomas P. Harmon is Professor & Scanlan Foundation Chair in Theology, Directory of the MA in Evangelization & Culture and Associate Director of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas.