Library, an illustration printed in Van der Meer, opposite page 216. Adher- (continued)
INTRODUCTION 5 and essential intermediary is Christ himself, the mediator between man and God, especially Christ as man since the metaphysical gap between human nature and divine nature is an abyss that man cannot cross on his own. But also, in the physical absence of the historical Jesus, the Prophets, the apostles. Scripture, and each and every Christian who has the light, all these are lamps, that is, intermediaries. So Augustine, too, is a lamp, shining forth the light of John's Gospel to stir love for the interior Word in the hearts of his congregated people.
(4) Seated upon his cathedra in his church at Hippo, with the Bible spread open upon a lectern at his side,^ Augustine spoke vigorously, with the full dramatic force of ancient oratorical style, directly and immediately to the motley audience standing before him. These volatile and fiery Africans'^ responded to the bishop's words with enthusiastic shouts of approval, or with questions or tears or groans." The sermon was a lively exchange between the pastor and his people; he was ever sensitive and responsive to their reactions and they were quickly influenced by his preaching. Sensibility, impetuosity, a considerable knowledge of doctrine that enabled them to follow complex theological argumentation, and a desire for a firm and unshakeable faith, marked these crowds of people.
9. The scene is taken, with a bit of license, from a fresco in the Lateran Library, an illustration printed in Van der Meer, opposite page 216. Adhering to the dignity accorded to the bishop, Augustine usually spoke seated. See, e.g., Catechizandis Rudibvs 13.19 (PL 40.325; and CCL 46.142—144); Sermo 17.2 (PL 38.125; and CCL 41.238), 95.2 (PL 38.581), and 355.2 (PL 39.1569; and SPM 1.125); M- -FBerrouard, Homelies sur Vevangile de saint Jean, I -XVI, BA 71 (1969), 1 1 ; P. Brown, Augustine of Hippo (Berkeley, 1967), 251—252 and 259; and M. Pontet, L'exegese de s. Augustin predicateur (Paris, 1946), 37. Sometimes, however, he stood; see, e.g.. Tractate 19.17. The audience always stood; see, e.g., Tractate 19.17. For a description of a typical Sunday liturgy at Hippo see, A. -G. Hamman, La vie quotidienne en Afnque du Nord au temps de saint Augustin (Paris, 1979), 22 1—244.
10. "Ces africaines mobiles et ardentes," Pontet, 91. 11. E.g., Tractates 3.21, 9.9, 19.20, and 35.9. See, DDC 4.24.53; Brown, Augustine, 250-251; Hamman, 235-239; Pontet, 41-43; and Van der Meer, 427-428. 12. In the Tractates there are numerous indications of audience involvement: questions, imperatives, short monologistic dialogues, the recalling of attention, mention of current events, frequent repetitions of scriptural passages, recalling of previous sermons, new explanations when the first is not