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oa The Creator blasphemed?
A critical analysis of Van Ruler’s rejection of Augustine’s use of the distinction uti and frui
- Amsterdam University Press
- Source: NTT Journal for Theology and the Study of Religion, Volume 73, Issue 4, Nov 2019, p. 265 - 282
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Abstract
Abstract
In this article I examine Arnold A. van Ruler’s sharp criticism of Augustine’s adage that the world may only be used, because God alone deserves to be enjoyed. Van Ruler does not focus on the already extensively discussed question of whether ‘using the world’ can be applied to intercourse between human beings. Rather he proposes that Augustine denigrates God’s material creation when he discourages people from enjoying it. The conclusion of my research is that Van Ruler is somewhat unfair with respect to Augustine, although he is justified in rejecting the Neoplatonic setting of his approach.
© 2019 Amsterdam University Press