Reading the Church Fathers discussion
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City of God
Augustine of Hippo: City of God
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Reading Schedule and Text
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I am going to ditch the Penguin version translated by Henry Bettenson in favor of the Marcus Dods. It is amazing how different they are, and Dods is much, much clearer. His translations of the poetry segments are just lovely, whereas Bettenson hobbles his way through - badly, and you don't quite know what you're reading. I've encountered this before with Penguin Classics, most notably with The Confessions. Back then I ended up with Sr. Maria Boulding's translation.
...I may just add a trip to the used bookstore next time I'm in town :)
Kerstin wrote: "I am going to ditch the Penguin version translated by Henry Bettenson in favor of the Marcus Dods. It is amazing how different they are, and Dods is much, much clearer. His translations of the poet..."OK, I downloaded Dod on my Kindle, I think I will try the switch too. Thanks for the comment to raise my awareness.
Just in case it is not obvious to the readers, you can download ebook versions of Marcus Dods' translation of City of God for free from the sites I linked to in my first comment.
A note in my edition of Dods says that the poetic bits are by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Co...
I’m still looking for volunteers to lead book discussions.If you have any suggestions about how to improve the group discussions, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
I found this that might be of help:https://collingarbarino.com/reading-c...
It's a reading schedule somewhat similar to ours, and clicking on the dates will give a short summary and some notes on the text.
I had said that I wouldn't mind trying to moderate a book.It's not entirely clear to me what is expected, but I think it comes down to this :
• recognize any questions on the text that are being asked. (if necessary create a topic, so that it is clear what questions have come up?)
• whenever a statement is made "Augustine says so and so", ask for quotes, to clarify what he really said
• notice large digressions from the text and suggest creating separate topics for those?
Other things that might help :
• give a general outline of the current part of the text (the link I found above might be of help)
• ask general questions like: what do you like best, find most surprising, applicable, whatever.
Ruth wrote: "I had said that I wouldn't mind trying to moderate a book.It's not entirely clear to me what is expected,."
Usually the moderator of an online forum is expected to keep the discussion civil and on topic. But our group members are so well-behaved that there is no need for this type of moderation at all.
I have a few personal preferences as a moderator: 1) Backup statements of facts and opinions with (textual) evidence. Hence the emphasis on quotes, and links. 2) Keep the topics under their proper headings, so they are searchable.
To lead a book discussion, however, requires more thought and commitment. It is an art that I'm still learning.
The ideal moderator, I think, would help people really get into the book and get the most out of it. S/he could describe the structure and theme of the book to orient the readers, ask thought-provoking questions, or identify subjects and nuances that might be missed otherwise.
Ruth, Let me know which book(s) you'd like to lead the discussion of, and I'll add you to the schedule.
O, well, I haven't read the book yet, so I don't have any particular preference. How about I start with book 3? By then I will also have access to the 'great courses' course on it, perhaps that also provides helpful pointers to start a discussion.
And yes, I also very much value to go back to the text and find evidence for what is stated. If I think back on all the things I learned in this group, that stands out most. It is so strange, you read a book, you think 'aha! here is something wonderful/wrong/whatever' and think no more of it. But if someone then asks: 'but where does he say that?', you take a closer look and learn so much more. It seems one really needs others to ask these questions.
You'll do fine Ruth, I have no doubt :) I help moderating with two groups, and for the most part it is providing the space for others to comment.I myself won't be able to help out for a while, for one, I am still moderating "The Picture of Dorian Gray" in Victorians, and I will probably moderate " The Imitation of Christ" in Catholic Thought once we're done with Dante's "Paradiso" in March. On top there will be some personal travel to visit family. It will be a challenge to keep up here :)
The dynamic is so different when you discuss a book in the group. The reactions of others can be so different from one's own and makes you think.
1. Marcus Dods translation
Christian Classics Ethereal Library:
"NPNF1-02. St. Augustine's City of God and Christian Doctrine". http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf1....
Project Gutenberg:
"The City of God, Volume I". http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45304.
"The City of God, Volume II". http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/45305.
2
Augustine. Concerning the City of God against the Pagans. Translated by Henry Scowcroft. Bettenson. London: Penguin, 2003.
3.
Augustin. The City of God (De Civitate Dei). Translated by William S. Babcock. New York, NY: New City Press, 2012.
Schedule:
Part I
Jan. 13 - Jan. 26 -- Bk I
Jan. 27 - Feb. 9 -- Bk II
Feb. 10 - Feb. 23 — Bk III (Discussion Leader: Ruth Alkema)
Feb. 24 - Mar. 9 -- Bk IV
Mar. 10 - Mar. 23 -- Bk V
Mar. 24 - Mar. 30 -- Bk VI
Mar. 31 - Apr. 13 -- Bk VII
Apr. 14 - Apr. 27 -- Bk VIII
Apr. 28 - May 11 -- Bk. IX
May 12 - May 25 -- Bk. X
Part II
May 26 - Jun. 8 -- Bk. XI
Jun. 9 - Jun. 20 -- Bk. XII
Jun. 21 - Jul. 2 -- Bk. XIII
Jul. 3 - Jul. 17 -- Bk. XIV (Discussion Leader: John Angerer)
Jul. 18 - Aug. 2 -- Bk. XV
Aug. 3 - Aug. 21 -- Bk. XVI
Aug. 22 - Sep. 5 -- Bk. XVII
Sep. 6 - Sep. 30 -- Bk. XVIII
Oct. 1 - Oct. 15 -- Bk. XIX
Oct. 16 - Nov. 5 -- Bk. XX
Nov. 6 - Nov. 23 -- Bk. XXI
Nov. 24 - Dec. 14 -- Bk. XXII