Session 18: Augustine and Mathematical models

Many have dedicated time and resources to developing mathematical models to help control the spread of COVID-19. Statisticians have used mathematical models to recognize anomalies in election results. Others have even used mathematical models to predict college graduation rates over the next six years. There's no doubt that mathematical models play an important role in projecting an uncertain future. The underlying principle that everyone will agree upon is the importance of data. Data is what makes or breaks the model. The objective of this paper is to give examples of how mathematical models are being used in various fields, the outcomes, and the common caveat. The recommendation is that governments, industry, hospitals, and universities need to collaborate to produce the raw data needed to make better predictions.

This paper attempts to go through Augustine's De Trinitatae and understand the theology of the Holy Spirit in order to understand whether or not Augustine places the Holy Spirit below the Father or the Son in the position of the Trinity. The ultimate conclusion is that Augustine does not put the Holy Spirit in a lower position within the Trinity. In fact, I make the argument that Augustine sets the Holy Spirit up as a necessity to take part in the triune life and without it there is no way to understand the Trinity.