The Confessions of St. Augustine
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3.9 • 345 Ratings
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Publisher Description
The young Augustine does, however, catch a passion for the pursuit of Philosophical truth, learning the doctrines of Manicheism, skepticism, and Neoplatonism. This last philosophy will have a profound influence on him-- theConfessions are perhaps the most masterful expression of his intricate fusion of Catholic theology with Neoplatonic ideas. Moving back to Thagaste, then back to Carthage again, and on to Rome and Milan, Augustine continues to wrestle with his doubts about what he has learned and with his budding interest in Catholicism, the faith of his mother, Monica. He also continues to pursue his career as a teacher of rhetoric (an occupation he later frowns upon as the salesmanship of empty words) and his habits of indulgence in sex and other pleasures of the sensual world. Things change in Milan, where Augustine finally decides that Catholicism holds the only real truth. Convinced of this but lacking the will to make the leap into a fully devoted life (including baptism and sexual abstinence), Augustine has a famous conversion experience in his Milan garden and becomes a devoted and chaste Catholic.
Customer Reviews
Eventually worth the struggle
I originally heard of Augustine as having written an ancient version of a memoir, perhaps the first, this being it. Then I wanted to read him because of a deepening of my faith. This book was a slog at times, and I found myself rereading a lot to get an understanding of what was going on. But I learned a lot! About his life, about the way our faiths develop, about distractions, how deeply and prolongedly a sin can affect one’s life and how it can be turned for good (specifically his child born out of wedlock). The part about his mother’s death made me cry, and the whole last two chapters I was blown away by his new interpretation of the Genesis creation!
Nice
It's a good book
A Struggle
Archaic, obscure translation presents a tall mountain to climb. Might want a modern version to get more of a sense of the thing, which is not at the ready in the best of times. St A does seem of the belief that the Lord takes an inordinate interest in what he has to say. Rather full of himself that way. Curious piece of work.