The confessing theology of Augustine: from the relations between faith and reason, on the Confessions’ proem

Abstract

The theology’s statute as a science is very controversial. For several years, it has been asked about its task and how a study can be considered scientific, starting from a revealed fact and, therefore, a dogmatic one. The Christian theology bases its discourse upon the biblical writings and upon the interpretations of those who are known as the Church Fathers. As Saint Augustine is one of the greatest names on the Latin Patristic period, this study will focuses on the task of the theology, according to his thought, specially about faith and reason relations. The first source for this essay is the proem of his most popular work, Confessions, where the confessional act will be exposed as the theological method of Saint Augustine, wishful for the Truth, which, ultimately, is God itself. Finally, the light of the patristic thought will be reflected over the contemporary need to postulate the theology epistemic statute as a divine science.