Prayer as the Hope of Wisdom
The textual focus of this chapter is De trinitate 4 and 13, which will be framed by Augustine’s treatise on prayer (ep. 130) and selections from his anti-pelagian writings. In these important books of De trinitate, Augustine proposes Christ as that which ‘bridges’ or ‘heals’ the breach between scientia (knowledge) and sapientia (wisdom), themes which represent a climax within Part I of this book. The movement between scientia and sapientia is both an ‘ascent’ and a temporally unfolding pilgrimage to the beata vita, animated and sustained by the inseparable operations of the Trinity. But as ep. 130 in particular will show, this movement is only achieved in and through the work of the Holy Spirit, the consequence of which will be that patience emerges as that which the Pelagians ultimately lack. This chapter will treat issues such as illumination, participation, desire, and the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love.