Qui vident in somnis vana

Augustine and his Relationship with the Pagan World in his Discourses on the Psalms

Abstract

Augustine, in his exposition of the psalms to the people, accuses the pagans, turned to inconsistent idols, like ghosts in dreams. The victory of Christianity, now certain, must coexist with various forms of persistence of paganism; and also of conversions to it, however limited and almost unlikely. The preacher expresses a clear belief that some traditions inherited from the pagans are destined, transformed, to survive; but the Church is victorious, in the light of a much higher form of spirituality. Its unity is a guarantee of opposition to any form of return to ancient beliefs, towards an authentic model of a Christian city.