Teológia zmierenia sv. Augustína v polemických statiach s donatizmom v sermo Dolbeau 26
Augustine’s Theology of Reconciliation in his Polemic against Donatism in sermo Dolbeau 26

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is to describe Augustine‘s response to the concept of the Donatist church based on episcopacy in sermo Dolbeau 26. It is clear from Augustine‘s argumentation that the claim of moral perfection among donatist bishops indicates de facto a source of rivality between them and Christ. This rivality explained as an interchange of Christ, who is the only mediator and the only just one, supports elitarism in the Donatist church. It becomes clear that Donatist bishops, as those who have the capacityto forgive sins, elevate themselves to the position of Christ and so become elite: they have no need for forgiveness and at the same time they have the power to forgive sins. Augustine‘s response invites Donatist leaders to learn that they are sinners and to confess publicly that they are not sinless. Augustine illustrates a portrait and an action of Christ‘s ministers through examples of personalities from the the New Testament, such as apostles Peter, Paul, and John. The Church as the place of proper reconcilliation is found where ministers recognize and admit their sins and their need for God‘s mercy. Rooted in Christ as the only source of forgiveness, the common prayer of believers, the clergy and the laity alike, reveals the church as a community of reconciliation.

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