Augustine’s Letter to the Homoian Elpidius: A Historical and Theological Analysis

ABSTRACT Throughout his life, Augustine of Hippo had few direct interactions with Homoians. One such incident that has received very little scholarly attention is his epistolary correspondence with a certain Elpidius. This article undertakes historical and theological analyses of Epistula 242, the only extant communication between Augustine and Elpidius. The first part argues that the epistle’s contents reveal that Elpidius was likely educated, part of a higher social class, and not from North Africa. The next two sections turn to Augustine’s trinitarian arguments against Homoianism in light of his other anti-Homoian works and extant Homoian writings. The bishop of Hippo underscores the limitations on humanity’s contemplation by turning to some of his preferred biblical passages. This point in turn contributes to his maintenance of the Son’s equality with the Father despite the former’s begottenness from the latter. The investigation in these ways contextualizes Augustine’s letter to Elpidius within the bishop’s life, trinitarian theology, and encounters with Homoianism.