Augustine's (Nativity) Sermons are, contrary to what has been
previously assumed (e.g. Van der Meer), clearly formulated and well
considered. They are divided into parts according to a number of
structuring principles. Augustine uses a division into four parts
(doctr.chr. 4,2,3 and 4,4,6), a division into three parts and a division
into five parts. The different parts can be distinguished from each
other on the basis of a twofold method, researching linguistic
characteristics (especially sentence type, use of particles and
repetitions of or deviations from the usual constituent order) and on
the basis of the use of Scripture (or, in the same manner, of the
Creed). So far from being chaotic, the Nativity sermons are shown to be
very carefully considered and crafted texts.
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