Jane Merdinger: Augustine at a Crossroads: Acceptance and Repudiation of Donatist Baptismal Rites

My paper investigates Augustine's position on Donatist rites and baptism within the framework of the maturation of his own thought on Catholic baptismal theology. His stance on Donatist baptism and rites evolved significantly over a decade, from his early priesthood (circa 393) to the publication of his great treatises against the Donatists (400-405). In 393, Augustine first became aware of critical differences when he encountered Donatist insistence on re-exsufflation of former Catholics awaiting Donatist baptism (Ep. 23). Augustine was horrified that Donatists "blew out" baptism bestowed by Catholics. At the time, he actually believed that Donatists thereby destroyed the sacrament. By simply examining Augustine's mature sacramental theology, scholars invariably overlook its development and also crucial differences in Donatist practices detected by Augustine. I shall demonstrate that Augustine's abhorrence of re-exsufflation provides a lens into his deepest disagreements with Donatism by 404/405. Until that time, in popular tracts and debates, he had emphasized similarities between Catholics and Donatists. Hoping to entice them back into the Catholic fold, Augustine had emulated Optatus by insisting repeatedly that they shared the same liturgy, sacraments, and Bible. Something happened around 404/405, convincing Augustine it was useless to encourage reunification based on such criteria. In Contra Cresconium he assails Donatists for desecrating baptism when they re-exsufflate Catholics. (Having reached a mature understanding, Augustine no longer accuses them of destroying the sacrament.) Nonetheless, his charge of desecration constitutes a complete volte-face from his earlier "popular" pronouncements. This paper probes why Augustine abandons the facade of shared practices and beliefs.