Product Description
This classic biography was first published thirty years ago and has since established itself as the standard account of Saint Augustine's life and teaching. The remarkable discovery recently of a considerable number of letters and sermons by Augustine has thrown fresh light on the first and last decades of his experience as a bishop. These circumstantial texts have led Peter Brown to reconsider some of his judgments on Augustine, both as the author of the Confessions and as the elderly bishop preaching and writing in the last years of Roman rule in north Africa. Brown's reflections on the significance of these exciting new documents are contained in two chapters of a substantial Epilogue to his biography (the text of which is unaltered). He also reviews the changes in scholarship about Augustine since the 1960s. A personal as well as a scholarly fascination infuse the book-length epilogue and notes that Brown has added to his acclaimed portrait of the bishop of Hippo. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Auguatine biography
This biography of St. Augustine is a splended scholarly story.I enjoyed every page.

Augustine the Most Human of Humanists
It is extremely easy to view a Saint in one-dimensional terms of goodness. Peter Brown has penned a multi-faceted portrayal of the human being behind the saintliness. In a biography in which scholarliness does not impede readability, Brown conducts his readers on a fascinating journey from 4th/5th-century Roman Africa, to Rome, Milan, and back full circle to Roman Africa. In the process of the journey, he brings his insight to the life of an admittedly less-than-perfect man, his less-than-perfect family, and the turmoil and ferment of a multi-cultural society rent by riots, the strife of heresy, the depredations of imperial taxmen, strong-arm landlords, religious fanatics, and "barbarians."

The See of Hippo Regius represented an oasis in Augustine's troubled world. As Bishop, he intervened with the landlords, he interceded on behalf of prisoners, he gave succor to his small community; he gave alms to the poor. Augustine, according to Brown, prized humanitas, and it is appropriate that the publishers have chosen Carpaccio's very human portrayal of Augustine--his face uplifted in expectation to the light--for the cover of this splendid book.

I especially enjoyed reading Professor Brown's analysis of the "Confessions," which he envisions as a truly revolutionary work among what was once a plethora of conversion tales, which, Brown explains, usually dwelt on the experience after the conversion, burying the pagan past forever. Augustine, as one infers from reading his autobiography, is haunted by his past; he cannot let it go; and, according to Brown, the "Confessions" works as sort of a therapy; an antidote to the guilty pleasures of Cicero and Vergil, even though Augustine cannot help incorporating echos of Plotinus and Neo-Platonic thought. "Augustine of Hippo" makes a perfect companion piece to Augustine's "Confessions.

Indeed, Peter Brown's biography ought to be required reading for students of the late Roman Empire.

A Fantastic and Thorough Biography of an Early Church Patriarch
Brown's account of Augustine's life is amazingly detailed and thorough. Weighing in at over 500 pages, Brown takes pains to paint an accurate and comprehensive picture of Augustine's life and the times in which he lived.

Growing up in the late Roman Empire, Augustine lived through tumultuous political and social upheaval. Some of the events that contributed to this turmoil included the sack of Rome in 410 by the Visigoths, countless controversies within the Catholic Church (including Augustine's famous debates with Pelagius, Julian and Jerome) and the siege and eventual conquest of his home in North Africa near the time of his death. These events allowed Augustine to write on a variety of subjects that were far more than just matters of abstract philosophy but were, instead, treatises on real events that influenced Augustine's own life and world.

Brown begins by tracing Augustine's formative years, from his birth in northern Africa to his rise as a teacher and government official in Rome. Brown borrows heavily from Augustine's own autobiographical masterpiece, The Confessions, as there is not a lot of other material or documentation on Augustine's early years. Brown relates the remarkable story of Augustine's own conversion and includes the significant influence his devout mother, Monica, had on him. While Augustine was still a Manichean, Monica fervently prayed for her son's conversion to the point her local bishop assured her that her son would convert before he died - because Heaven could not deny such an impassioned plea from a mother!

Of course, under the influence of Ambrose, another influential early church patriarch, Augustine did eventually convert. At the time of his conversion, Augustine was a highly regarded philosophy teacher and, immediately upon converting, poured his heart and soul into figuring out how reason and faith could coexist. Brown explains that, a short time after his conversion, Augustine retired from public life, hoping to spend his life immersed in the study of Scriptures and philosophy.

Augustine's seclusion from society would not last long, however, as the writings he produced during this time became popular, causing his fame to spread. Augustine became so well-known, in fact, that on a trip to Hippo the local church practically seized him and literally forced him to become a local priest! Augustine succumbed to the town's wishes and he spent the remainder of his life serving the church in Hippo, first as a priest and later as its bishop.

In many ways, the longer the book, the harder it is to capture its spirit in such a short blog post. Brown's tome has long been considered the gold standard for an English biography on Augustine's life and thought and, after reading it, it is easy to see why. Throughout the book Brown interacts with Augustine's writings, his sermons, his personal correspondence and, even his critics.

Brown dedicates a good portion of the biography to Augustine's famous intellectual clashes with Pelagius, a British monk who taught that it was possible for a Christian to live a perfect life. Augustine denounced Pelagius's teachings as heretical, and countered their widespread popularity by teaching total depravity, original sin and the necessity of Christ's atoning death on the cross.Augustine stood on the front lines of defending Biblical teachings (in many cases he was the first to explain these teachings) and gave the church the theological foundation on which orthodox Christianity still stands today.

Brown's biographical tome was originally published in 1967. In 2000, it was republished with two major new sections entitled "New Evidence" and "New Directions." In "New Evidence" Brown shares with us new Augustinian manuscripts discovered since the time of the book's first publishing. In 1975, twenty-seven previously unknown letters of Augustine were found in a library in Marseilles. In 1990, more than twenty long sermons were discovered in a municipal library in Mainz, all of which were previously unpublished.

Brown explains these documents fill in a lot of blanks in Augustine's teachings. For instance, it was commonly taught in the early church that sex should be abstained from, even between husbands and wives! While making concessions for the sole purpose of procreation, apparently many early church leaders taught the act of sex was unbefitting for a child of God, and should be abstained from as much as possible. Augustine countered this movement with a long series of sermons and writings, explaining that sex between a man and his wife was a beautiful gift from God and helped keep temptations at bay. Augustine's teachings on this subject would have been lost if not for the discovery of these documents and Brown did his readers a service by highlighting these more recent discoveries.

Brown's book is a wonderful combination of historical narrative and theological hypothesis. Far more than a picture painted through a rosy lens, Brown does a good job of taking pains to interact with Augustine's supporters and critics, his triumphs and shortcomings. Brown also does a commendable job of offering his readers a rare glimpse of life in the early church, from its structure and hierarchy to its mechanisms and daily routine. Brown's book is a must for those interested in early church history and how the foundations of Orthodox Christianity were first articulated by one of the church's finest scholars and servants.

Bio of St AGustine
this is the best and most easily understood bio of St Augustine, I love it.

A brilliant thinker made accessible
Augustine's is a severe and forbidding character. His intellectually rigorous reasoning on(and harsh views of) salvation and grace made him an inspiration to Calvin and the Puritans. But gloomy though his view of human nature might be, Augustine was intense and passionate, a theologian and philosopher with a poet's sensitivity to natural beauty and the use of language. This books puts the reader in Augustine's mind and life: there is the young man dedicated to an idealistic pursuit of truth,surrounded by admiring friends and family; later, his imposition of that truth on the all-too-human structure of the early Christian church will be fraught with challenge.Augustine knew Rome and Roman Africa in their glory days; he died as Africa fell to Vandal invaders who would impose a century of brutal rule. Peter Brown brings the tumultuous period in which Augustine lived fully and comprehensively alive; he makes us one with a brilliant, uncompromising, surprisingly compassionate human being. ... Read more

Product Description
Augustine (354-430) had a profound impact on the development of the Christian Church, sparking controversy and influencing the ideas of theologians for over fifteen centuries. His words are still frequently quoted in devotions today and his key themes retain a striking contemporary relevance--what is the place of the Church in the world? What is the relation between nature and grace? In Augustine of Hippo, the late Henry Chadwick--a renowned authority on Augustine--describes with clarity and warmth the intellectual development of this key Father of the Church.In his characteristically rigorous yet sympathetic style, Chadwick traces Augustine's intellectual journey from schoolboy and student to Bishop and champion of Christendom in a period of intense political upheaval, providing valuable insight into the progression of Augustine's ideas. With a foreword reflecting on Chadwick's distinctive approach to Augustine by Peter Brown, and a further reading list on Augustine compiled by Gillian Clark, this volume is both an essential assessment of Augustine and a final tribute to one of the great church historians of the twentieth century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a fascinating read
I found this a fascinating and illuminating journey into the world of 4th/5th Century African Christianity in its engagement with the philosophical thought of late antiquity.It also gave clarity to the pastoral practice of a man who was as much concerned for the well-being of people as he was his theological ideas.Augustine is very much a product of his time, not merely a defender of Catholic orthodoxy or conservative sexual morals.Chadwick makes it clear that he was the shepherd of his flock, for good or for ill.The prose is captivating and readable, and the book is accessible - and short - enough to newcomers to be a helpful introduction to Augustine's thought, and perhaps more importantly, to the life he led.Great read. ... Read more

Product Description
Confessions of Augustine written by legendary philosopher and theologian Saint Augustine is an autobiographical work which is widely considered to be one of the greatest books of all time. This great classic will surely attract a whole new generation of readers. For many, Confessions of Augustine is required reading for various courses and curriculums. And for others who simply enjoy reading timeless pieces of classic literature, this gem by Saint Augustineis highly recommended. Published by Classic Books America and beautifully produced, Confessions of Augustine would make an ideal gift and it should be a part of everyone's personal library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

For 89 cents, not a bad deal....
but know that the translation is a bit clunky.It written in a "King James" style or Old English style. For example, Book I starts: "Great art Thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is Thy power, and Thy wisdom infinite.And Thee would man praise; man, but a particle of Thy creation;..."If you can past that, then all is well and this is a great buy.If you cannot get past that, then it is $.89 thrown out the window.

Written for Forever
There are three classes of support for Christian belief: the metaphysical, the historical, and the experiential. The metaphysical argues from logic and the existence and nature of reality, the historical from the past - both human and pre-human, and the experiential from personal, and private, experience.

While I don't want to diminish the metaphysical or historical components of Christian belief and apologetics, I think that the most important source of living belief is the experiential, but it is also by far the hardest to communicate, since it is by nature, private and personal. While my experiences may convince me of the truth of the Christian faith, how can they convince you? They are part of my experience, not yours. It might seem to be an impossibility, yet this is the challenge that Augustine took on in "Confessions", and it is by the degree of difficulty that the extent of his success and the greatness of the work can be measured.

"Confessions" is a work of great beauty. Written in the form of a confessional prayer, Augustine bares himself utterly, and in so doing, makes the reader want to lower his defenses as well, making it possible to experience another's life more deeply than he might have thought possible, and in so doing, to translate his experience of Christianity across the divide that separates us from each other.

Because of the nature of "Confessions", I think that analysis of it is to be avoided. Analysis is distancing - it encourages the reader not to dive it in, but to stand back. You cannot experience "Confessions" and critique it at the same time, and all of the value is in the experience.

Excellent Translation
I won't recount all the excellent reasons for reading this remarkablebook. It's not a part of the Western Canon for nothing! It's a seminal work(autobiography) in a seminal field (Patristics)worth reading regardless ofreligious orientation, including none. What makes THIS particular versionso exciting is that it is eminently readable and still quite stylized.Chadwick's eloquent translation caputes not only Augustine's ideas andthoughts, but equally important, his rhetorical skills. This alonejustifies the purchase of this work. The philosophical nuances that,ironically, have entered twentieth-century thought again are very clearlyarticulated in Chadwick's translation. Other translations are likely toobfusicate what Chadwick elucidates. Read this great work by a greattranslator. I am confident you'll return to it again and again (even if youdisagree with the Doctor).

The Confessions is a very human and poetic account .
The Confessions is a strangely vulnerable and lyrical account on a subject where we would expect dogmatism and grandiosity.Despite the "St." in front of his name Augustine comes across as the kind of slob that we might run across at any time.He reminds us of ourselves.Here we do not find certitude or self-satisfaction only a weird kind of singing, of phrasing, of worship.What we find here is a book of poetry.

Confessions :Augustine's contribution to western thought
This book may not seem very ground-breaking to modern readers who have grown up within a western culture influenced by these ideas, however it is one of the foundational works of western thought. Whether or not you agree with Augustine's conclusions and ideals, no argument can be made about early western thought without confronting the influence and presence of this work.If read on an allegorical as well as a surface level, his original combination of christian symbolism and classical philosophy is clearly that of a genius.This melding of ideas began with earlier scholars, but was completely realized in this work.By all means give this work a chance, and be patient through what seems like difficult prose to the modern reader. ... Read more

Product Description

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) is one of the most influential figures in the history of the Church. A bishop, philosopher, and doctor of the Church whose thought has molded the Western tradition, Augustine was deeply spiritual, and his writings emphasize the soul's experience of God in its depths. This book features selections from his writings, including Confessions and The City of God, and is the perfect introduction to his influential spiritual life and teachings.

Customer Reviews (1)

The "Grace and Free Will" of St. Augustine
In this superlative volume of The Classics of Western Spirituality series, "Augustine of Hippo: Selected Writings," St. Augustine's Trinitarian thought is gracefully explained and examined with lucid clarity in Mary T. Clark's Introduction. For example, the differences between Augustinian Theology and Plotinian Neoplatonism: Augustine's belief in the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit being one and co-equal, and Plotinus believing in The One (God), the Intellectual-Principle (the mind of God, i.e., His image, which is inferior to The One--created by The One), and the Reason-Principle (the soul of God, which is inferior to The One and its cause, the Intellectual-Principle). Augustine adopted from Plotinus "that the spiritual icon is always in immediate contact with its exemplar, the higher intelligible that is its source" (i.e., God). Through Ambrose, Augustine "had found the 'wind' that would waft his bark safely to port in the Blessed Fatherland." So you can see why Augustine is considered Neoplatonic. Many of his beliefs were rooted in Plotinus' Neoplatonism of The One. He believed that God is intuitively known "through the supernatural knowledge possessed by the soul." Our faith and charity is what transformed it into the image of the Trinity. How Augustine's early beliefs formed and evolved into maturity are thoroughly examined, such as his (Augustinian speculation) original triad of the speculative intellect--memory, understanding, and free will. Also elucidated is his belief that Grace is superior to free will, which all modern Christians naturally believe. Before Augustine, the opposite opinion was the prevailing view. And whether or not he was a mystic is discussed in depth. Obviously, he was a mystic is the answer that the majority of reputable scholars concluded. Personally, I think there's no doubt that Augustine was a mystic. He's probably the greatest mystic of the post Apostolic Fathers. The two mystical experiences he describes in "CONFESSIONS" with his friend, Alypius, in the garden (during his last great battle for conversion) and with his mother at the window reveal his mysticism. There's so much more information discussed in the Introduction, that it makes it worth the cost of the entire book. All the selections included in this volume have Introductory Notes, which are extremely helpful in explaining the writings. Here are the contents: "CONFESSIONS: Book Seven; Book Eight; Book Nine; Book Ten"; "THE HAPPY LIFE"; "HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS: Psalm 119: The Ascents of the Christian; Psalm 120: Our Confidence in the Lord; Psalm 121: The Ecstacy of Love; Psalm 122: God Is True Wealth"; "HOMILY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN: Treatise Seven"; "ON THE TRINITY: Book Eight; Book Fourteen"; "ON SEEING GOD; ON THE PRESENCE OF GOD: Letter 147: Augustine to the Noble Lady, Pauline, greeting; Letter 187: On the Presence of God"; "THE CITY OF GOD: Book Nineteen"; and "THE RULE OF ST. AUGUSTINE". One must read for him/herself St. Augustine's writings in order to truly comprehend the depth and breath of this most graceful and sublime saint's faith. If philosophy is the handmaiden of theology, then Augustine is the master. I highly recommend this outstanding volume, and I hope my review is worthy of such a profound volume as this one certainly is. Blessed art thou, St. Augustine! ... Read more

Product Description
Confessions of Augustine written by legendary philosopher and theologian Saint Augustine is an autobiographical work which is widely considered to be one of the greatest books of all time. This great classic will surely attract a whole new generation of readers. For many, Confessions of Augustine is required reading for various courses and curriculums. And for others who simply enjoy reading timeless pieces of classic literature, this gem by Saint Augustineis highly recommended. Published by Classic Books America and beautifully produced, Confessions of Augustine would make an ideal gift and it should be a part of everyone's personal library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

How about a review of this EDITION, not the work?
Can anyone please tell me if this edition is worth a darn?Obviously, this book is a classic; reviews of the work seem redundant in 2009.What I really, really want to know is this: is this a good edition to work with for a student?Are there notes, study guides, or commentaries?Chapters headings, index, tables for reference??Which edition of this book is the best?

Great literature, Difficult to read
This is a wonderful piece of classic christian literature. I would certainly recommend it to anyone wanting to dig a little deaper. But be warned, it is difficult to read. That's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. I struggled through it, enjoying his words, but wrestling with the language.

Tolle Lege!
I recently reread "The Confessions of St. Augustine" after many years and am glad that I did. This book, which is often called the first autobiography, is really not an autobiography in the sense that we use the term. It is Augustine's Confession to God, from which we glean many details about Augustine's life.

In this we learn of Augustine's family, his early life, his search for truth and, throughout the book, his teachings on theology. Here we see him move to the gradually larger world, from Tagaste, to Carthage, to Rome, to Milan, where he finally finds Truth. He is then ready to return to his native Africa, his preparation completed for the work which would make him one of the greatest, Christian theologians of all time.

In much of the early book, Augustine tells us of his rejections of God's call. Seeking truth and honors, he searched through many sources and sought out many teachers. He sought wisdom from pagan and Manichean philosophers. His disappointment with the highly touted Manichean bishop, Faustus, whose speech was pleasing but whose answers failed to soothe Augustine's soul, caused him to turn to Catholicism.

Learning from the respected bishop, Ambrose, Augustine came to recognize the truth of Christianity, but his slavery to a non-Christian life style long prevented him from following the call of God. This persisted until one day he heard the child's song "Tolle Lege, Tolle, Lege" (the title of my high school newspaper), "Take it and read." Taking this as a divine command to read the first passage of scripture to meet his eyes, he opened the book to the passage, "Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying: but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh in concupiscence." Needing to read no further, his conversion occurred and he was ready for the great work which lay before him.

Throughout much of the book, we are treated to Augustine's teachings on a variety of religious topics. We obtain his guidance on the nature of God, God's relationship with and expectations of man, as well as norms for the interpretation of scripture. This is the book for anyone with an interest in Christian theology or St. Augustine personally. Tolle Lege!

Complex Ideas, Difficult to Read
Despite a superb translation, "Confessions" was not the autobiographical classic that I had hoped.Broadly, the first half details Augustine's pre-conversion life and paints an interesting portrait of life in ancient Italy.The relationships and stuggles that he details are as relevant today as there were in centuries past.The second half, however, is profoundly theological and lacks the personal touch I had hoped for.Similar to Emerson's essays, Augustine writes chapters on various aspects of bibical literalness andcatholic doctrine.I found these musings to be difficult to follow and disconnected.A profound work, but one that the reader needs to be prepared for.

A Spiritual Journey
I bought this book over a year ago and I was not quite sure why I bought it.About a month ago, I began going through a troubled period in my life.The writings of St. Augustine helped me live through this period.

While the book is most known for its philisophical proof of the existance of God, the book's value runs even greater.Augustine also discusses the meaning of our own existance.Each of us is molded by the opportunity to grow by each experience of our life.Ultimately, we must see the error of our ways to find true happiness in life through God.In this way, God molds us into better people.While the existance of God is not something we can easily explain, Augustine offers insite into this dilema.God created us in his own image, but this does not mean he looks like a human being.He created us as loving creatures like himself.In addition, Augustine address many other issues relating to God in his biography.

This book may be difficult reading to the casual reader.I would suggest potential readers only read this book if he/she plans to study it with the dedication it deserves. ... Read more

Product Description
A superb new translation brings the words of Augustine the preacher stirringly to life!

When the great Saint Augustine was called from his country home to become Bishop of Hippo in the fourth century, his new responsibilities took him away from the solitude of his writing and into the glare of the public eye. The author of two of the greatest works of religious literature, Confessions and City of God, Augustine became a shepherd to the people, inspiring and enlightening them with his sermons. His skills as a speaker were as great–if not greater–than his skills as a writer. According to his friend Possidius, “Those who read what Augustine wrote on the divine topics do get something out of them. But those who saw and heard him in person–they were the ones who got heaven and Earth.”

Sermons to the People collects the homilies on the liturgicalseasons of the Church Saint Augustine delivered over the course of his lifetime.This Image edition includes the first sermons in that vast collection: from Advent, Christmas, New Year’s, and the Epiphany.Newly translated by William Griffin, they address timeless concerns, including the problems of materialism and the intellectual difficulties of faith. Griffin renders the sermons with such immediacy, it is as though he had been present when Augustine spoke to his flock. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Patience Rewarded
"He'd never left that holy state while He was appearing to us as we were; that heavenly power was added to an infant body, and yet the earth's resources weren't any poorer...To them it's just plain embarrassing that God should walk around in a funny, ill-fitting body.To us, of course, it's a greatly encouraging sight." p 57

Griffen has compiled a rich resource of the reflections of one of the Church's great minds on one of the Church's great narratives.In a time of pithy refrains and a secular hijack of our season of worship this book is a refreshing resource. It just takes a little patience to get there.By a regrettable editorial choice he opens with a 47 page sermon on the genealogies and inner-marital chastity that Augustine was literally preaching for the second time because the first time he tried it his audience largely fell asleep - not good times.The sermons that follow however, soar with rich reflections on the temporal genesis of the God-man and the sublime intersection of the celestial and corporeal in the event of the incarnation.

One other note is that Griffen takes his `paraphrase translation' liberties to Eugene Petersonesqe extents.His adaptation of Augustine's Latin is often compelling but is sometimes just so contemporary that it seems a bit absurd or anachronistic.Regardless, these would be fantastic readings to integrate into either Protestant or Catholic reflections during the Advent/Christmas season.If you hunger for insights beyond `Jesus is the Reason for the Season' to center you on the Truth at the heart the Christian adaptation of the winter holiday, this is a great place to start...particularly around page 50.

A Thoroughly Modern Augustine Does Advent
There's no place like Hippo for the holidays. Especially when it's the turn of the fifth century and you've gotten yourself over to the cathedral early enough to score a good spot for the bishop's Mass. I'm telling you, that guy can flat-out preach.

Fast-forward 16 centuries. Many familiar with St. Augustine know him from his greatest written works, The Confessions and The City of God. Both are bedrocks in the Western literary canon, fussed over by students not only of literature, but also of history, philosophy and theology. But how many of us, his fawning fans included, know what it was like to have your ears tickled by the very voice of Christendom's greatest genius?

William Griffin thinks he has a pretty good idea. And he does a fine and fun job of putting his insights across in these translations of Augustine's Christmas-season sermons.

This is Augustine like you've never read him. Glib, pointed, playful, colloquial, streetwise: He'll say whatever needs to be said to get you to let the facts of Christ's coming open your mind, penetrate your heart and change your life. And, true to form, for all his crafty rhetorical flourishes, he doesn't speak a word or even think a thought that can't be directly traced to Scripture. We already knew that about the bishop of Hippo, but we haven't seen it relayed in quite this way before.

"Let's recognize this day for what it is, my dear Brothers and Sisters," Griffin's Augustine says of Christmas. "Let's pretend we ourselves are the day! Yes, when we were living unfaithfully, we were the night. Indeed the slip-sliding in our faith had made the nights longer and colder till day itself was about to be snuffed. That's how it was on the day Our Lord Jesus Christ was born. The shortest day of the year. The Winter Solstice. From this point onward in human history, the nights grew shorter, the days longer." John 1:9, anyone?

Just as Augustine was a dexterous and innovative interpreter of the Word of God, ever intent on making the Bible accessible to the widest possible swath of humanity, so Griffin shows himself a witty and creative interpreter of the words of Augustine. In fact, so breezy is the sermonizing here that many turns of phrase beg the question: At what point does Augustine leave off and Griffin pick up?

The latter drops some helpful clues. The largest single section of Griffin's informative and entertaining foreword is an apologia for his use of the paraphrasal method of translation, rather than the literal, in turning ancient Latin into contemporary English. It's an approach that allows him to present Augustine as he might sound were he alive today.

Naturally, it also permits plenty of leeway for artistic indulgence. "Neither [men nor women] should give the Creator the finger," Griffin has the saint saying, "for that horrible trick he played on them in the Garden."

The bishop of Hippo may well have been similarly jarring in person. But would he have used so low-brow an expression -- in a homily? I'm not sure, but I'm giving Griffin a pass on that passage and several others in the same vein because, on the whole, Augustine in this brusque, thoroughly modern voice is so arresting and thought-provoking. There are worse ways to get good theology. And I've seen no better way to absorb Augustine for Advent.

"The angel delivered the message," we read. "Kindly the Virgin listened to it. Against her better judgment she believed it. The conception took place. Faith in her soul. Christ in her womb. And that's all there was to it. ... What storyteller -- the great Isaiah included -- could do Justice to a birth like that?"

If Augustine wasn't up to the job, neither is William Griffin. But what a joy their combined efforts are to read -- make that hear -- as Christmastide comes each year.

David Pearson is features editor of the National Catholic Register. ... Read more

Product Description
The Rule of Augustine, the oldest monastic rule with Western origins, still provides inspiration for over 150 Christian communities.This account of Augustine's contributions to the monastic spirituality of the late Roman world and of his achievement as a monastic legislator fills a critical gap in Augustinian studies.Tracing Augustine's progress from a philosophical to a biblical spirituality and his development of a monastic ideal largely shaped by Greco-Roman philosophical and rhetorical influences, Lawless also discusses Augustine's renunciation of sexuality, property, and worldly ambition at his conversion as a foreshadowing of the future vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience.In addition, he argues for the existence of a monastery at Thagaste from 388 to 391.This book includes new English translations of the Regulations for a Monastery, the Rule, and Letter 211. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by St. Augustine late in his life with the intention of supplying the Roamn layman with a comprehensive exposition of the basic teachings of Christianity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Summary of much doctrine
This is an excellent book, both for the text itself by Augustine and the introduction to it.Augustine wrote the Enchiridion as a response to a friend who wanted a "handbook" of Christian teaching.Though not as engaging as his Confessions, it is well worth reading.Augustine covers topics such as baptism, original sin, abortion, faith and works, and election and focuses much on the grace of God.

Leaving out a few sections that don't seem to agree with a Reformed understanding of scripture (e.g., some parts on baptism), I would actually recommend this as an introduction to many Christian doctrines.(Then again, I'm not a professional theologian.)I honestly thought some chapters sounded like they came from more recent Reformed Presbyterians since Augustine argues for the same doctrines.(I count myself in that camp)

As for this particular edition, the introduction by Thomas Hibbs was very useful to me as I knew nothing of what led to the writing of the Enchiridion or of its structure.

Though the chapters are generally short, Augustine's thoughts flow naturally from one subject to the other.Thus, try to keep the train of thought or you will get lost!

I recommend this particular edition for the introduction, readable translation, and the text itself: Augustine's "off the cuff" summary of what he thought were doctrines that should be in a "handbook" of Christianity.

"Brief Handbook of Augustinian Thought"
The theological insight propounded by Augustine, in his "Enchiridion"(Greeek for handbook),remains unparrelled when contrasted with the concise nature of this work. Augustine necessitated nearly all the creedal professions and beliefs of the Nicene Fathers with an uncanny brievity.As intended, then, for an educated Roman layman, the "Enchiridion," now, raises interest in those who come in contact with it today.

The three-fold division of faith, hope and love, at times, seems a bit obscure and difficult to detect.In other words, I had some trouble identifying Augustine's thesis as a whole(as the translators did also).However, this was mearly a work that was quickly thrown together(Augustine makes this apparent at the opening),and is to be highly respected for its in-depth learning.I doubt that Augustine intened his "handbook" to become some sort of "magnum opus"...it's strictly a handbook.

Augustine also deals with grace, original sin, repentance, and predestination with a scholars lore.This work conveys an image of Augustine's thought in relation to the Orthodox beliefs of Christianity then and now, and continues to stand as not his greatest, but yet, one of his most unique works. ... Read more

Product Description
Saint Augustine of Hippo is one of the central figures in the history of Christianity, and this book is one of his greatest theological works. Written as an eloquent defense of the faith at a time when the Roman Empire was on the brink of collapse, it examines the ancient pagan religions of Rome, the arguments of the Greek philosophers and the revelations of the Bible.Pointing the way forward to a citizenship that transcends worldly politics and will last for eternity, this book is one of the most influential documents in the development of Christianity.

One of the great cornerstones in the history of Christian thought, The City of God is vital to an understanding of modern Western society and how it came into being. Begun in A.D. 413, the book's initial purpose was to refute the charge that Christianity was to blame for the fall of Rome (which had occurred just three years earlier). Indeed, Augustine produced a wealth of evidence to prove that paganism bore within itself the seeds of its own destruction.However, over the next thirteen years that it took to complete the work, the brilliant ecclesiastic proceeded to his larger theme: a cosmic interpretation of history in terms of the struggle between good and evil. By means of his contrast of the earthly and heavenly cities--the one pagan, self-centered, and contemptuous of God and the other devout, God-centered, and in search of grace--Augustine explored and interpreted human history in relation to eternity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Must Read Book
The City of God was completed 13 years after Augustine began to write it in 413 A.D. It was written slowly and became a much different work than that which Augustine set out to create. Three years after the fall of the Roman Empire, Augustine set out to prove that Christianity was not to blame for Rome's collapse as some had charged. Almost half of The City of God was dedicated to this original purpose. Luckily for readers today, as well as then, by book eleven he turns his attention to the two cities and almost entirely dropped his original theme which has been a dead issue for some time. The two cities Augustine applies his brilliant mind to for the remainder of the work is that of The World and of God. Beginning in book eleven, Augustine traces the history of each city from a Christian perspective in a highly contemplative and truly beautiful manner. However, he seems to never miss an opportunity to correct any contrary philosophies along the way. He eventually makes his way to his ideas, based primarily on the writings of the apostles Paul and John, about the final realities of each city, as well as the consequences for their respective citizens.

The City of God would probably not be considered light reading by most, but if one can complete it while trying to digest as much as they can, it is certainly worth it. This is one of those works which is probably understood a little differently each time it is read. One helpful disclaimer offered by Thomas Merton is that if one is unfamiliar with Augustine and his writing, they would be best served to first read Augustine's Confessions (Penguin Classics) prior to tackling The City of God. It really is good advice.
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Product Description
A translation of De Civitate Dei.Amazon.com Review
Augustine's City of God, a monumental work of religiouslore, philosophy, and history, was written as a kind of literarytombstone for Roman culture. After the sack of Rome, Augustine wrotethis book to anatomize the corruption of Romans' pursuit of earthlypleasures: "grasping for praise, open-handed with their money; honestin the pursuit of wealth, they wanted to hoard glory." Augustinecontrasts his condemnation of Rome with an exaltation of Christianculture. The glory that Rome failed to attain will only be realized bycitizens of the City of God, the Heavenly Jerusalem foreseen inRevelation. Because City of God was written for men ofclassical learning--custodians of the culture Augustine sought tocondemn--it is thick with Ciceronian circumlocutions, and makes manystark contrasts between "Your Virgil" and "Our Scriptures." Even ifAugustine's prose strikes modern ears as a bit bombastic, and if hispolarized Christian/pagan world is more binary than the one we live intoday, his arguments against utopianism and his defense of therichness of Christian culture remain useful and strong. City ofGod is, as its final words proclaim itself to be, "a giant of abook." --Michael Joseph Gross ... Read more

Customer Reviews (48)

City of God
Item was not received in condition as explained by seller. Cover was different, condition was worn more than expected, etc

Excellent Condition
Used the book for class but it was really good and I received it from Amazon is excellent condition.

It just flows...
I am not sure who to credit to regarding the eloquent flow of ideas in this book.It is just pleasing to read.Whether it's due to Agustine (I can't read Latin) or to the translator making sure the English reflects the original Latin, this book reflects the breadth of the authors experience and knowledge such that it has universal appeal across the ages.Indeed, the new age garbage that's being touted nowadays as being new and enlightened are the "has beens" in Augustine's age and usually came from the gutter and vulgar culture of his age.

City of God
I received my order on time and in perfect condition. I would definately buy from this seller again.

Not For Beginners
St. Augustine of Hippo is one of the most enlightened men to ever live, but be forewarned: the City of God--while doubtlessly a magnum opus that stands among the giants in the history of philosophy--equals the Bible in length and matches Descartes in density. Unless you are already deeply knowledgeable in Christian theology and Platonist philosophy, I would recommend that you take a college course on Augustine rather than trying to tackle this on your free time.

The entirety of this work, sans footnotes and elaborations, can be found online: [...] ... Read more

Product Description
Find out what led Augustine to become one of the greatest Christian thinkers in the history of the Church with this moving diary of his journey to the fountain of God's grace. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

The Confessions of St. Augustine
Arrived on time in excellent condition and is a very inspiring book.I'm glad I bought it and am enjoying it.

Why waste your time with someone else's cliff notes
For whatever reason, the editor here has seen fit to leave out sections of Augustine's Confessions.What is most annoying is that this book is not clearly marked "abridged".Honest dealing requires this book to be clearly identified for what it is - an abridged, incomplete version of Confessions.

Great Intro to St. Augustine
For those of you who thought that St. Augustine was going to be so deeply intellectual that it couldn't possibly apply to you, you should try this small book.It's not difficult reading, but the ideas aren't little ones.I was amazed at the parallels in culture to our 'modern' age, and at how little has changed in nearly 2000 years. He writes pretty bluntly about his youthful vices, which made me examine my own.I bought ten copies for friends and for graduation gifts this year.

A must read
When I studied religion at university, my lecturer told us that if we were to read any book, it had to be confessions. It really is a great book and well structured. It is very dense as the best religious texts are, so it will take a long time to properly read and absorb. A must have for your collection.

Hey, part of it is missing!!!
The Augustine part is fine and the translator did a wonderful job, but why were the parts edited out? Saint Augustine was just like us in his struggles to not only come to Christianity but also to live the Christian life after his conversion. He writes about his screw-ups, failures, and triumphs in such a humble, heart rendering manner I wish I had articulated it that way first. All Christians should have this book in their library to be read and re-read often. PAX, bb ... Read more

Product Description
How can I pray better?
How do I know God hears my prayers?
How can I 'pray always,' as Jesus commands?
Why must I ask for things God already knows I need?

Such were the questions that perplexed a young North African man, Augustine Aurelius (354-430), whose intense yearning for God led him into a profound and lifelong encounter with Christ in prayer.

There Augustine found answers to these questions and to countless more answers not grounded in his own brilliance, but in prayer itself.

In time, Augustine became a bishop and a Father of the Church, and has long been numbered among her saints. Yet of all the Church's saints, not one expresses the longing for God more beautifully, or explores the nature of prayer more helpfully, than St. Augustine. His words speak to us today as freshly as they did to his contemporaries.

St. Augustine wrote many books, but never one devoted to prayer alone. Indeed, his teachings on prayer are scattered in many places. So from over 200 works, Fr. Cliff Ermatinger has gathered and translated Augustine's teachings on prayer, and now presents them here in a simple question-and-answer format. What emerges is nothing less than a rich new "catechism on prayer" by one of the Church s greatest saints.

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Customer Reviews (3)

Understanding our Prayers.
This book has opened our minds, as we had hoped when we selected it.It gives much guidance and teaches us how to appreciate God's love for us.Thank you Amazon for making this book available to us.

St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer
Saint Augustine of Hippo is one of the great philosophers of Western thought, and he is most well-known for his works Confessions, which outlines his journey to accept the Christian faith, and The City of God, which was written in response to the fall of Rome and provides a theological view of history. St. Augustine, of course, produced many more writings in his lifetime, and Fr. Cliff Ermatinger consolidates his writings on the subject of prayer and neatly presents them in a question and answer format. Fr. Ermatinger provides his readers with the benefit of his research into St. Augustine's massive body of writings as he delivers the material in a well documented format for those who wish to reference St. Augustine's original works. Although the book is only 125 pages in length, it is no easy read; however, the book's value is in its ability to offer difficult material in a volume that is easily referenced by question. Fr. Ermatinger provides this caution in the book's introduction, "The depth of many of St. Augustine's responses is such that to read too many of them in one sitting can cause a degree of spiritual indigestion."

The first three questions presented in the book are examples of why this book is so valuable to anyone interested in the subject of prayer: What is prayer, what happens in prayer, and what do I need to begin to pray? I hesitate to summarize the book because there is so much included in each of the questions, but the point is made repeatedly that life is for praying while heaven is for praising asserting just how important prayer really is. It is the essence of man's spiritual life on earth. The book's 101 questions address everything concerning prayer: how to pray, what to pray for, the types of prayer, effective prayer, etc. My favorite part of the book addresses what to ask for in prayer and emphasizes the importance of the Lord's Prayer. For those interested in prayer, this little volume is educational and invaluable.

Sophia Institute Press sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review.

Approchable Augstine
_St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer_ is a durable softcover that feels sturdy and well-made, and at its price-point I figure that enough to make it a good bargain.

The description blurb on the back cover of the book calls the volume a " 'catechism on prayer.'"The book has a clear question and answer format, and the contents of said questions are found in an equally manageable table of contents.

Surprisingly, this book has much more direct quotation from St. Augustine, and less commentary from Fr. Ermatinger, who does jump in occasionally to re-phrase, clarify, and transition.So if you were worried that you were not going to get much St. Augustine in this volume, or that you were getting a lot of pre-chewed and skewed Augustine, you can rest assured that Fr. Ermatinger is just a guiding hand.

Some readers of this book might claim that Fr. Ermatinger reduces St. Augustine's writings to samples, or sound-bites.The fact is, Fr. Ermatinger, through the compiling of this text has already done a lot of work for the reader, who now does not have to search through volumes upon volumes of St. Augustine's writings. Still, you might think that his book caters to the new generation of lazy readers who do not want to do all the dirty work involved with researching particular topics.Yet, at the end of the day this book's value is in its approach to some very difficult material and how it delivers such material to a 21st century reader in a single volume format.

Nevertheless, St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer is a book that will keep giving the reader something to think about even when the final page is turned.The catechism style layout (as described by the publisher) will give this book a long life as a reference text for the prayerful, the prayer curious,the Catholic apologists, and the Western culture advocates alike.
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Product Description
The "Confessions of St. Augustine" have ever been a favourite Christian study. St. Augustine says of them himself, "The thirteen books of my Confessions praise God, Holy and Good, on occasion of that which has in me been good or evil, and raise up man's understanding and affections to Him: for myself, they did so so while they were being written, and now do, when read. Let others think of them, as to them seems right; yet that they have and do much please many brethren, I know." This version translated, with an introduction and notes, by Dr. E. B. Pusey, an English churchman and Regius Professor of Hebrew at Christ Church, Oxford. ... Read more

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The Confessions of St. Augustine has been translated into more languages than any Latin writings except Virgil's. Now this great classic appears in a distinguished new translation for the modern reader by celebrated translator, John K. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Great Book
I love this book. Everyone in some point in life need to Read this great piece of work.Enjoyed every page written very well.

St. Augustine
This book was filled with great knowledge and had a very profound effect on the reader.

Inspiring and Heartwarming
I had read an abridged version of the Confessions but there seemed to be so much missing and in this book I found all the panorama of the whole. A delightful read which tells more about Augustine than any history book ever could. I cried with him when his mother died. He asks God so many of the questions we all ask and his ability to stand apart from himself and critique himself with brutal honesty makes the Confessions the masterpiece that it is.

A low budget publication
When I bought this audiobook I was expecting something more dramatical and poetical than what Bernard Mayes read. I understand they used an old-fashioned English but quite elegant translation, but the problem is Mr. Mayes reading of it. It is really difficult to follow his way. Also the sound system used for the recording is terrible and make the impression of being low budget. This is not my first Blackstone Audiobook and that is what surprise me!!! I always thought of Blackstone Audiobook as a good-standing alternative to Naxos but now I think they need to keep a more strict eye in their production.

horrible
Bernard Mayes mutilates the reading of this wonderful book.He sounds like Gollum from the Lord of the Rings.His reading is just horrible.Some word pronouncements are barely audible, the sounding of the letter s, makes it sound like he has some teeth missing.I am continually having to adjust my sound dial as he is up and down with the sound of his voice. I have no idea why blacstone audio went with this guy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Take and read!
Augustine's 'Confessions' is among the most important books ever written. One of the first autobiographical works in the modern sense, it also represents the first time a psychological and theological enterprise were combined. It also helps to bridge the gap between the Classical world and the Medieval world, exhibiting strong elements identifying with each of those major historical periods.

Most undergraduates in the liberal arts encounter the book at some point; all seminarians do (or should!). Many adults find (or rediscover) the book later, after school. For many in these categories, there are concepts, narrative strands and historical data new and unusual for them. However, Augustine's 'Confessions' is still generally more accessible in many ways that truly classical pieces; it has interior description as well as external reporting that we are familiar with in modern writing.

The 'Confessions' shows Augustine's personality well - he was a passionate person, but his focus wavered for much of his life until finally settling upon Christianity and the Neoplatonic synthesis with this faith. Even while remaining a passionate Christian and rejecting the sort of dualism present in the Manichee teachings, he varied between various positions within these systems. Augustine's varied thought reaches through many denominational and scholarly paradigms.

The 'Confessions' are divided into thirteen chapters, termed 'Books' - the first ten of the books are autobiographical, with Augustine describing both events in his life as well as his philosophical and religious wanderings during the course of his life. The text is somewhat difficult to take at times, as this is writing with a purpose, as indeed most autobiographies are. The purpose here at times seems to be to paint Augustine in the worst possible light (the worse his condition, the better his conversion/salvation ends up being); at other times, one gets a sense (as one might get when reading the Pauline epistles) that there is some significant degree of ego at work here (Paul boasts of being among the better students, and so does Augustine, etc.).

Augustine also uses his Confessions as a tract against the Manichean system - once a faithful adherent, Augustine later rejects the Manichean beliefs as heretical; however, one cannot get past the idea that Augustine retained certain of their intellectual aspects in his own constructions even while denouncing them in his official life story.

The whole of the conversion turns on two primary books - Book Seven, his conversion to the Neoplatonic view of the world, including the metaphysics and the ethics that come along with this system; and Book 8, which describes his conversion to Christianity proper. This is where perhaps the most famous directive, 'Tolle! Lege!' ('Take and read!') comes from - Augustine heard a voice, and he picked up the nearest book, which happened to be a portion of the Pauline epistles, arguing against the undisciplined lifestyle Augustine lived. Scholars continue to debate whether Augustine's conversion to Christianity was more profound or more important than his conversion to Neoplatonism; in any event, Christianity interpreted through a Platonic framework became the norm for centuries, and remains a strong current within the Christian world view; Protestant reformers as they went back to the 'original bible' in distinction from the Catholic interpretations of the day also went back to the 'original Augustine' for much of their theology.

The final three books are Augustine's dealing with the creation of the world via narrative stories in Genesis 1 exegetically and hermeneutically. This is very different from what is done in modern biblical scholarship, but is significant in many respects, not the least of which as it gives a model of the way Augustine dealt with biblical texts; given Augustine's towering presence over the development of Western Christianity in both Catholic and Protestant strands, understanding his methods and interpretative framework can lead to significant insights into the ideas of medieval and later church figures.

This translation by F.J. Sheed is one of the newer editions of the book available. Peter Brown, a noted scholar of early Christianity (particularly in the field of study of Augustine), provides a good introduction as well as background and contextual information. This is a book that will be of interest to novice readers of Augustine as well as scholars, to students, clergy and laypersons, and anyone else who might have an historical, literary, philosophical, theological or other interest in Augustine - something for everyone, perhaps?

The best translation of St. Augustine's Confessions
Let me put it this way, and I quote another translator of this book, "You have not read 'Confessions' until you have read the Sheed translation." ... Read more

Product Description
At his Wednesday audiences during 2007 and 2008 Pope Benedict XVI gave a series of short talks on the Fathers of the Church. He devoted himself not only to such famous and influential Fathers as Augustine and John Chrysostom but also to figures not venerated as saints; one subject, Tertullian, even died outside the Catholic communion. This volume contains thirty-six of these inspirational teachings. / In these catecheses the Pope is not delivering academic lectures or preaching sermons. Rather, he is instructing Christian believers who want to have their faith confirmed and strengthened. Pope Benedict firmly believes that the Fathers of the Church still speak powerfully today, and his accessible presentations will make many readers eager to look further into the writings of these great early Christians. ... Read more

Product Description
This collection brings together thirty-five letters and sermons of Augustine, Bishop of Hippo from 396-430 AD, that deal with political matters. The letters and sermons are both practical and principled and treat many essential themes in Augustine's thought, including the responsibilities of citizenship, the relationship between the church and secular authority, religious coercion, and war and peace. These texts complement Augustine's classic The City of God, and give students direct insight into the political and social world of late antiquity with which Augustine was immediately involved. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

St. Augustine meek and mild?
This anthology contains 35 relatively short letters and sermons by the Church Father Augustine, dealing mostly with political and legal issues. They should really be read together with Augustine's major work "The City of God", but are quite informative even in isolation. The anthology also contains an introduction by the editor, plus extensive footnotes, and short biographies of the persons mentioned in Augustine's letters. Since the translation is occasionally somewhat strange ("security" instead of "salvation" etc), readers shouldn't skip the translator's notes either. For people with the right sense of humour, the footnotes can actually be quite entertaining. One of them explains what the Book of Job is, presumably because the anthology is directed at students of political history, and the editor doesn't expect them to be well versed in matters Biblical! Personally, I thought the Book of Job was common knowledge... :-)

Augustine's letters are adressed to high-ranking Roman officials, both governors and military commanders. His letters are candid in tone, sometimes even provocative. They contain fewer formal greetings than the officials' letters adressed to him. This says something about the power of the Catholic Church in the Late Roman Empire. As bishop of Hippo in North Africa, Augustine was in effect a powerful state official in his own right. This explains the tone of his letters, and why he could treat even the emperor's men as equals. While ultimate decision-making power was in the hands of the imperial court, Church councils could lobby the court and perhaps get the emperor to do their bidding. Augustine was therefore very much part of the Old Men's Club of the Late Empire.

On most issues, it's difficult for a modern to sympathize with Augustine. His stern blend of other-wordly Platonism, belief in original sin, and predestination strikes us as typically "medieval" and "dark age". The Doctor of Grace, as he was later called, was also against freedom of worship. He believed that everyone in the Roman Empire should be Catholic, and that the emperors had the right to force people to join the Church. After all, it's all for their own good. Augustine also rejected the right to rebel against authority, any authority. Bad emperors are a chastisment from God, and should be suffered by the good. If they are really bad, it's right to speak out against them, but solely for the purpose of becoming a martyr. In one of his sermons, included in this book, Augustine rebukes his congregation for attacking and killing a corrupt imperial tax-collector. From his Neo-Platonic perspective, Augustine declares that life is short, death inevitable and earthly possesions ultimately meaningless. Taking the law into your own hands is therefore pointless and, indeed, sinful. Few people today would take up such a position, and rightly so. Augustine comes across as a defender of the Late Roman status quo, at a time when the degenerate Empire was already breaking up at its seams.

In other ways, however, "Political Writings" shows a somewhat unexpected and more humane side of Augustine than we might have expected. For starters, Augustine was against capital punishment, and often tried to get such sentences mitigated, even when directed against anti-Catholic rioters and rebels. His opposition to the death penalty was based on the following reasoning: people who die unrepentant will spend eternity in Hell, therefore it's better not to kill them, but to reform them instead. Augustine was also against torture, a commonplace practice even in the Christianized Roman Empire, although his opposition to this practice wasn't entirely consistent, since he didn't mind suspects being beaten up! At one point, the Roman governor of Africa, Macedonius, apparently sent Augustine a letter complaining about the bishop's constant intercession in favour of obviously guilty criminals. In his response, Augustine points out that since everyone is a sinner, showing mercy to criminals is a religious duty, and he explains that he has sometimes even attempted to get victims of theft to drop their cases against the thieves, rather than demanding restitution.

At the same time, Augustine wasn't always consistent in his attitude. In some letters, as already noted, he criticizes even victims of burglary or fraud for demanding compensation from the criminal. In other cases, he proposes fines himself as an alternative to the death penalty. The most interesting document in "Political Writings" is Letter 185, where Augustine admits that his attitude towards the Donatists have hardened. The Donatists were a group of Christians in North Africa regarded as heretical by the Catholic Church, and hence illegal, which didn't stop them from commanding wide-spread support, and often violently attacking both Roman landlords and Catholic clergy. Originally, Augustine opposed using force against the Donatists, simply calling for Roman military protection against Donatist attacks, trying to convince the Donatists of the error of their ways by peaceful preaching. Only in areas with Donatist violence against Catholics would the Donatists be punished by fines, and only their bishops. Emperor Honorius, however, went much further, and decreed that all Donatists were liable to harsh punishments, simply for being Donatists. In Letter 185, Augustine seems to come around to this harder position, fed up with Donatist resistance.

The final section deals with Augustine's view of war, always a tricky subject for Christians. After all, the Sermon on the Mount seems to preach non-resistance to evil. Augustine argues that Christians might nevertheless become soldiers and wage wars. After all, when Roman soldiers approached John the Baptist, he didn't tell them to quit the army, but simply not to commit crimes against humanity. And what about the Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his son, or Cornelius, the righteous Gentile who became a Christian? They were both soldiers. A particularly interesting letter in this section is no. 220, sent to Boniface, a Roman commander in North Africa who had rebelled against the empress Galla Placidia. True to form, Augustine calls on Boniface to make peace with the Empire, and stop his troops from plundering the North African countryside, concentrating on fighting the "barbarians" instead. Boniface did eventually make his peace with the empress, but to late to save Roman Africa. When Augustine lied on his deathbed in AD 430, Hippo was besieged by the Vandals...

In sum, this volume is extremely interesting, especially for serious stundents of Church history, Late Roman history or theology. Recommended.
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Customer Reviews (2)

Poor Quality
The quality of the print was so poor that it appeared blurry. The paper was also poor quality. I do not recommend the book based on the physical appearance.

Fantastic introduction to Augustine's theology
Bourke does a wonderful job summarizing Augustine's theology on a wide range of issues: God, the Trinity, the church, etc.It is organized by topic, with a short introduction to each topic.It draws on a much wider selection of his writings than most people will have read.

The only drawback is due to the nature of Augustine's prose.Because he has a very particular manner of writting and ensures that the reader follows, passages can be awkward out of context and prevents it from being a quick read.But then again, should Augustine really be a 'quick read'? ... Read more

Product Description
St Augustine (354-430) is one of the towering figures of church history, widely regarded as the greatest of the early theologians. This study focuses on three major disputes in which he engaged: against the Manichees who denied the essential goodness of creation; against the Donatists with their exclusive views of the church; and against the British scholar Pelagius who in modern times is being rescued from his reputation as a heretic and is now thought to have said some good things. Gerald Bonner admits to having changed his views of Augustine and these disputes over the years; here we have the mature, considered reflection of a lifetime's work and study in this area. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great for Research Papers
This book is accurate source of material for research papers. For those who simply want to know more about the life and theology, it offers a great overview of it all.

Professor Approved! ... Read more

Product Description
Outside of the people in the Bible, Augustine of Hippo is the most influential person in church history. Yet how many people know his story? In this book, Simonetta Carr introduces young readers to the life and ministry of Augustine. Readers will come to know Augustine's personal struggles and the high value he came to place on the Bible and truth. Readers will also see the difficult days in which Augustine lived, learning about his disputes with false teachers and the turbulent times during the fall of the Roman Empire. This volume is vividly illustrated, simply written, and full of interesting facts. It is written for young readers, but is sure to capture the interests of the whole family."A splendid way to introduce children-and adults too-to one of the most influential Christians who ever lived." -PHILLIP S. CARY, Scholar in Residence at the Templeton Honors College at Eastern University, and author of several books on Augustine"Few figures in Western history are as important as Augustine. He is one of the early church fathers to whom the Reformers rightly looked as an inspiration for their theology and piety in many respects but he is more than that. He is an old and dear friend. Simonetta Carr has produced a clear, readable introduction to the life and work of this great Christian and our old friend." -R. SCOTT CLARK, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California"Simonetta Carr offers a sympathetic, whirlwind tour of the life, times, and beliefs of Augustine of Hippo, one of the most important and long-loved figures for Western Christianity. Maps, illustrations, timelines, and photos engage the imagination at a pace that will hold the interest of young readers." -BRANDON AND MINDY WITHROW, authors of the popular church history series for children, History Lives ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Children will love this
Really enjoyed this book as I read it to my children. Gave lots of interesting detail and a timeline.At the back it has other interesting stories and highlights.The book is broken into 7 chapters, which can be read each day.It also includes wonderful engaging pictures that bring the story to life. I highly recommend it!

A clear, enlightning account of Augustine
Congratulations, Simonetta, on this clear production of the life of Augustine of Hippo. I'm sure that your readers will not only learn much about this eminent church father, but will also enjoy your writing style and the illustrations. I particularly liked your mixture of hand drawn illustrations with maps and photographs, which help to ground this tale in history. I hope that many young Christians will read your newest book in this admirable series (Christian Biographies for Young Readers).

informative, enjoyable reading
I've just read Simonetta Carr's book about Augustine and was impressed at how much information there was about this often quoted man of early Christian history. It introduces our young people (and adults as well) to a man whose faith and wisdom have affected so many throughout the ages while describing the life and culture of that time in history. Mrs. Carr does a wonderful job describing Augustine's personal journey of recognizing his sinfulness amidst the various beliefs of that day to the struggle he endured in coming to finally surrender to Christ. It may be just the appetizer one needs before diving into Augustine's own writings. I would highly recommend it. ... Read more