[1] http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=AS...=9325

§17

Intention and appearance aren’t always congruent, and it’s good that Augustine makes this distinction without implying that we can truly know someone’s true intentions all the time.

I agree with Augustine’s assumption that there is a reason for every Divine precept or law. This is like that perennial discussion about logic being a natural part of the universe, and that logic is not an arbitrary construct but is an outpouring of part of God’s nature into man.

Broad statements: all the acts of God’s servants should illustrate present need or future happenings.

§18

Manichee understaanding of divinity and nature sounds a lot like a Gnostic construct with pantheistic overtones.

§19

Two points of interest here: Augustine gives weight to dreams and visions, and he notes that God cares for each individual as though s/he were the only one on earth–and also that He cares for the totality of souls as though an individual.

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References.
Augustine, St. Confessions. Henry Chadwick, trans. ISBN [2] 0-19-283372-3 (Paperback).

[3] http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=AS...=9325

§17

Intention and appearance aren’t always congruent, and it’s good that Augustine makes this distinction without implying that we can truly know someone’s true intentions all the time.

I agree with Augustine’s assumption that there is a reason for every Divine precept or law. This is like that perennial discussion about logic being a natural part of the universe, and that logic is not an arbitrary construct but is an outpouring of part of God’s nature into man.

Broad statements: all the acts of God’s servants should illustrate present need or future happenings.

§18

Manichee understaanding of divinity and nature sounds a lot like a Gnostic construct with pantheistic overtones.

§19

Two points of interest here: Augustine gives weight to dreams and visions, and he notes that God cares for each individual as though s/he were the only one on earth–and also that He cares for the totality of souls as though an individual.

---

References.
Augustine, St. Confessions. Henry Chadwick, trans. ISBN [4] 0-19-283372-3 (Paperback).