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These expositions show Augustine at prayer, albeit public prayer in front of a congregation, and addressing a mixed audience, i.e. one composed of more learned and less learned hearers, a distinction he sometimes make reference to as determining the nature of his discourse on a particular day. And thus they show Augustine to be the great preacher and teacher he is. Some of the expositions show Augustine thinking aloud, as when he considers verse six of the first psalm, "I rested and fell asleep," which he variously interprets. He notes that different translations interpret the original Greek differently, and he offers his own thoughts on possible interpretations.
For one not used to patristic interpretation of scripture, Augustine's commentary can be jarring, since he does not just deal with the text on the level of literal interpretation, but he also includes what have come to be known, since the middle ages, as the analogical and anagogical interpretations, i.e. interpretations of what the psalm means in terms of Christianity and what it says to us about moral behavior, all part of Augustine's sensus plenior.
Some of his well-known themes appear, also, and the commentary offers another light on them. In the exposition of Psalm 5, Augustine treats of lying, commenting on the verse, "You hate all those who work iniquity." He gives a brief summary of the discussion on lying and concealing the truth that are found in more expansive forms in his treatises on that subject. The footnotes often are helpful in noting echoes of other works, although here, strangely, there is no reference to his other discussions of lying. He also offers a reflection on God as father and mother in Exposition 2 of Psalm 26, a discussion that might be surprising to some readers.
Overall, the Expositions of the Psalms offers what amounts to a mini-course in Augustinian theology, since all of his keys themes are treated in an abbreviated manner at some point in the exposition. And Augustine offers his advice to the people on praying the psalms in his fourth exposition of Psalm 30: "If the psalm is praying, pray yourselves; if it is groaning, you groan too; if it is happy, rejoice; if it is crying out in hope, you hope as well; if it expresses fear, be afraid."
Michael Fiedrowicz's introduction offers a good exposition on how to read this work, placing it in historical and literary context, with an especially good explanation of Augustine's method of interpretation. At the back of the book is an index of Scripture citations and a general index.
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Their first case turns out to be a brutal rape in which the victim is so battered her own roommate doesn't recognize her. The rapist's next target dies but the police recognize the signature of the perpetrator and connect him to two other rape cases. A break sends Thinnes and Franchi to the northern suburb of Waukegan where a series of rapes years ago bear a startling resemblance to the crimes being committed in the present. Just when they think they have a lead in the case another woman is abducted and the bickering duo has to race against time before she is abused.
Anyone who likes to read a solid police procedural is going to love THE FELINE FRIENDSHIP, in spite of the crime topic. The plot is an action thriller that doesn't neglect in depth characterizations. It is fascinating to watch the partnership of Franchi and Thinnes evolve from prickly co-existence to one of steady understanding and trust. Michael Allen Dymmoch is an expert at creating a believable investigation so that readers understand what police officers have to deal with on a daily basis. It will be interesting to see how the Thinnes-Franchi partnership holds up in future novels.
Harriet Klausner
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It is an easy pleasurable read, even if you are not normally a fan of poetry. It left me with a sense of understanding, acceptance and peace. I enjoyed it and am a better person for having read this book.
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