In The Literal Meaning of Genesis (Book I, 18,37), Augustine follows a brief digression concerning how a reader of the biblical text should practice humility and maintain an open stance when dealing with obscure matters. It seems only fitting that such a comment be found in his commentary on Genesis. We would do well to heed Augustine's exhortation, especially in our place and time when many assert various opinions concerning the initial chapters of Genesis, creation, evolution, etc. Unfortunately, the tendency for many is to throw themselves "head over heals" into a "headstrong assertion." It seem to me that political, cultural, and ideological matters fuel this tendency. Therefore, Augustine's warning that, although those who practice throwing themselves "head over heals" many believe they are championing the cause of the scriptures, they may in fact find themselves championing their own cause, wanting it to be that of the scriptures. Timely and relevant wisdom from the early fifth century.
And in discussing obscure matters that are far removed from our eyes and our experience, which are patient of various explanations that do not contradict that faith we are imbued with, let us never, if we read anything on them in the divine scriptures, throw ourselves head over heals into the headstrong assertion of any one of them. Perhaps the truth, emerging from a more thorough discussion of the point, may definitively overturn that opinion, and then we will find ourselves overthrown, championing what is not the cause of the divine scriptures but our own, in such a way that we want it to be that of the scriptures, when we should rather be wanting the cause of the scriptures to be our own.
BD