St Augustine In History Victoria Woodard

By Victoria Woodard

St. Augustine is one of the most important figures in the history of Christianity. He was a philosopher, theologian, and bishop, and his writings have had a profound influence on Western thought. In this article, we will explore the life, work, and legacy of St. Augustine.

Early Life and Education

Augustine was born in Thagaste, North Africa, in 354 AD. His father was a pagan, and his mother was a Christian. Augustine received a classical education, and he quickly became proficient in Latin and Greek. He was also exposed to the works of the great philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle.

Conversion to Christianity

In his early twenties, Augustine went to Carthage to study law. He was soon drawn into the social and intellectual life of the city, and he began to question the Christian faith of his mother. For a time, he was attracted to the skepticism of the Academics, who doubted the possibility of certain knowledge.

St Augustine in History

by Victoria Woodard

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1680 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	164 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	66 pages
Item Weight	:	3.52 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.15 x 9 inches

FREE

However, in 386 AD, Augustine experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity. He was sitting in a garden in Milan when he heard a voice telling him to take up and read the Bible. He opened the Bible to a passage from the Epistle to the Romans, and he was instantly converted.

Baptism and Ordination

After his conversion, Augustine was baptized by Ambrose, the bishop of Milan. He then returned to Africa, where he was ordained a priest in 391 AD. In 395 AD, he was elected bishop of Hippo Regius.

The Bishop of Hippo

Augustine served as bishop of Hippo for 35 years. During this time, he wrote some of his most important works, including The City of God and Confessions. He also played a leading role in the struggle against the Donatists, a schismatic group that had broken away from the Catholic Church.

The City of God

The City of God is Augustine's most famous work. It is a massive treatise in which Augustine defends the Christian faith against the attacks of the pagans. Augustine argues that the true city of God is not an earthly city, but a heavenly city that is founded on justice and love.

Confessions

Confessions is Augustine's autobiography. It is a deeply personal and moving account of Augustine's conversion to Christianity. Confessions has been widely read and admired for its honesty and its insights into the human soul.

Legacy

Augustine died in 430 AD. He left behind a vast body of work that has had a profound influence on Western thought. Augustine is considered one of the greatest theologians and philosophers of all time. His writings have been translated into many languages and are still studied and debated today.

St. Augustine was a brilliant thinker and a passionate defender of the Christian faith. His writings have helped to shape the course of Western history. Augustine is a towering figure in the history of Christianity, and his legacy continues to inspire and challenge us today.

Bibliography

• Augustine, City of God. Translated by Henry Bettenson. London: Penguin Books, 1972.
• Augustine, Confessions. Translated by R.S. Pine-Coffin. London: Penguin Books, 1961.
• Brown, Peter. Augustine of Hippo: A Biography. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2000.
• Chadwick, Henry. Augustine. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986.
• O'Daly, Gerard. Augustine's Philosophy of Mind. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987.

St Augustine in History

by Victoria Woodard

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1680 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	164 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	66 pages
Item Weight	:	3.52 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.15 x 9 inches

FREE