AUGUSTINE’S THEOLOGICAL HERMENEUTICS OF INCARNATION. CONVERSION TO THE FLESH

Abstract

Augustine’s Theological Hermeneutics of Incarnation. Conversion to the Flesh This article examines the enduring aspect of incarnating the spiritual, as expressed by Augustine, based on the foundational Christian claim: “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14). It clarifies that it is not the flesh that transforms into the Word, nor does the flesh need to be spiritualized. Specifically, it explores the relevance of Augustine’s anthropology in the twenty-first century through what Richard Kearney calls “carnal hermeneutics”. As part of this exploration, the article offers insights from John Panteleimon Manoussakis’s theological hermeneutics of incarnation, who introduced the concept of “conversion to the flesh” for Augustine’s Confessions, as a third conversion, alongside the acknowledged conversions of the mind and heart. This idea becomes evident in Augustine’s reversal of the traditional hierarchy of the senses, which prioritizes the sense of touch. It is also reflected in his use of the parable of the prodigal son to emphasize the importance of the flesh, as well as his language centered around hunger, eating, and feasting. The discussion begins by examining the principles of carnal hermeneutics. It continues with Augustine’s reflections on human creation in the image and likeness of God, identifying the essential qualities of the mind and heart where he asserts that the divine image resides. It then considers how these qualities align with Manoussakis’s view that the main goal of the Confessions is not to spiritualize the flesh but to incarnate the spirit. This framework provides a foundational perspective for the theological hermeneutics of incarnation. In conclusion, the article affirms that Augustine’s treatise aligns with the core incarnational focus of Christianity and exemplifies carnal hermeneutics.