Transitus and Trinity

Abstract

Chapter 7 connects the whole Christ as sojourning through earthly reality to the Trinity. The importance of memory in Trinity, this chapter suggests, is in large part an intellectual consequence of the work of memory in part 2. Idithun the leaper (chapter 3), festivals of abiding traces (chapter 4), and more serve this end. The chapter reveals not only a profound continuity between Augustine’s preaching and Trinity but also how Augustine’s mature contemplation about Christian doctrine organically unfolds from and builds upon the work of memory. The failure of human memory in Trinity can be anticipated. Further, the triad of memory, understanding, and will as well as Augustine’s treatment of scientia and sapientia are both connected to the work of memory.