2014
This document is linked to :
Laval théologique et philosophique ; vol. 70 no. 2 (2014)
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Jeffery Aubin, « La religion, et l’opposition sacré et profane, dans les Diuinae institutiones de Lactance : les limites d’une dichotomie moderne », Laval théologique et philosophique, ID : 10.7202/1029149ar
The Diuinae institutiones of Lactantius are often referred to when analyzing the transition of the word religio from Latin to Christian thought. However, one should not read this fourth century A.D. text with the modern definition of religion in mind. Twentieth century sociologists put forth definitions of religion based on the sacred-profane opposition, but this dichotomy is not a valid category for the interpretation of religio in the book of Lactantius. Not only does he scarcely oppose these two terms, but also the very notion of sacer and profanus differ from the received definitions of the last century. Therefore, the use of modern concepts is a stumbling block for the understanding of the terms religion, sacred and profane in the Diuinae institutiones of Lactantius.