In sum, Latin theology has a distinctive concept and conception of
religious recognition around 400CE. We will see in the succeeding
chapters that its basic elements will remain pronounced in later
Western religious reflection. They will also be enriched by new ideas.
2.2. Augustine onAgnitioandRecognitio
Augustine’s writings are formative for Latin Christianity. They
continue to be read through the medieval period and remain influential
in the Renaissance and the Reformation. We pay some attention to
Augustine’suseofagnosco/agnitioandrecognosco, keeping in mind
that his rich terminology regarding knowledge cannot be fully can-
vassed. For Augustine,agnoscois related to the practical side of faith
and morals. The background to this view is outlined, for instance, in
On the Catholic and Manichean Ways of Life, in which Augustine
considers that although normal teaching and learning form the basis
of our knowledge, some knowledge can only be acquired by means of
discipline. For instance, giving to the needy requires such discipline to
be actually practised. In this way, the mind is aided by discipline.^24
However, discipline does not heal everything. Some diseases are
only cured by divine powers that equip people with restraint and
instruction that bring forth fear and love. In this manner, God sends
spiritual medicine from heaven.^25 For Augustine, this heteronomous
cure‘is true excellence of conduct, and thus the knowledge of the
truth (agnitio veritatis) is acquired’.^26 Earlier in the treatise Augustine
speaks of the truthful knowledge (cognitio)^27 which is related to the
clarity of knowing God; when he emphasizes the God-given dimen-
sion of love, he uses the termagnitio, which is related to the healing
that must be given from outside.
This does not mean, however, thatcognitiois something less than
agnitio. For Augustine,cognitiois the most important theological
knowledge, whereasagnitiohighlights the subjective attachment tak-
ing place in faith. In theTractates on the Gospel of JohnAugustine
considers against the Manicheans that Catholics can also defend their
faith by means of rational proof:
(^24) Mor. 28, 55. Trans. NPNF 4. (^25) Mor. 28, 55–6.
(^26) Mor. 28, 56. (^27) Mor. 25, 47.
54 Recognition and Religion