De Continentia

Sanctus Augustinus Hipponensis

Opus De Continentia scripta est inter annos 418 et 420 post Christum natum, tractatus brevis sed profundus de virtute continentiae. Augustinus continentiam exponit non solum ut abstinentiam sexualem, sed ut virtutem cordis quae a Deo donatur et contra omnes concupiscentias carnis et spiritus resistit. Propositum operis est demonstrare quod continentia est donum divinum, non humana virtus per proprias vires obtenta, et quod necessaria est ad omnes tentationes vitae superandas, non modo eas quae ad voluptates corporales pertinent.

Tractatus praesentat continentiam tamquam remedium universale contra omne peccatum, docens quod vera continentia in ore cordis collocatur, ubi nascitur omnis actio. Haeresis Manichaei confutatur, dum Augustinus defendit bonitatem corporis humani et unitatem personae humanae, corpus et animam. Pro lectore catholico hodier","summary":"The webpage from Academia.edu discusses the date and purpose of Augustine's work "De Continentia," a lesser-known treatise that has sometimes been labeled a sermon. In this extended meditation, Augustine presents continence as a grace from God and a virtue of the heart, rather than merely a physical restraint. He argues that continence primarily resists inner impulses of the heart, particularly the "concupiscence of the flesh." \n\nAugustine defends the goodness of the human body and the unity of the person, emphasizing that the struggle against lust is an enduring aspect of human existence, present even within the Church. He insists that concupiscence can be resisted but not entirely overcome in this life, highlighting the dual nature of the Church as both carnal and spiritual. The work reflects Augustine's theological views on human nature and the ongoing tension between body and spirit."}