ONLINE FIRST
published on December 13, 2024
Martin E. Robinson
https://doi.org/10.5840/augstudies2024121291
Challenging Rahner¡¯s Reading of Augustine on Theophanic and Incarnational Peculiarity
This article explores Karl Rahner¡¯s assessment of Augustine¡¯s treatment of Old Testament theophanies and the Incarnation. It scrutinizes Rahner¡¯s contention that Augustine deviated from the Christological interpretation held by earlier church fathers and finds that while Augustine¡¯s interpretation differs from the majority of his predecessors, he is not the first significant church father to embrace such a view. Moreover, Augustine¡¯s approach to the theophanies is shown to have deep roots in both tradition and scripture, challenging the explanatory power of the Christological interpretation. The article then argues that it is unreasonable to link Augustine¡¯s theophanic non-peculiarity directly to a rejection of incarnational peculiarity. In addition to the absence of definitive texts denying Christ¡¯s incarnational peculiarity, along with texts clearly affirming it, Augustine¡¯s close association between the missions and processions¡ªan association that ultimately supports Rahner¡¯s Rule¡ªeliminates the possibility of him rejecting the Son¡¯s incarnational peculiarity. Consequently, Rahner¡¯s assertion about Augustine¡¯s alleged denial of incarnational peculiarity lacks solid grounding in Augustine¡¯s body of work.