Augustine, Rahner, and Trinitarian Exegesis

Through close and sustained analysis of Augustines exegesis of Scripture, Robinson argues that Augustines Trinitarian exegesis offers significantthough not inexhaustiblesupport for Rahners Trinitarian project and, particularly, his Grundaxiom. Firstly, he posits that Augustine provides weighty, biblically rich, support for Rahners Trinitarian agenda at exactly those points where Rahner is explicitly critical of Augustine and the Augustinian-Western tradition, overcoming various weaknesses detected in the later tradition, and pre-empting many of Rahners later solutions. Secondly and consequently, Robinson suggests that Augustine offers a scriptural reading strategy that addresses the major exegetical difficulties perceived to emerge from Rahners Rule. Thus, in Augustines exegesis of Scripture, the Augustinian-Western tradition has always had the resources at its disposal to avoid or address the most poignant criticisms levelled both by and at Rahner.