Confessions by Augustine

By on in Literary

A couple of weeks ago, I finished reading Confessions by Augustine. It was the first written work of Augustine I read as a whole, and it is a classic on a personal reading list of patristics. I’ve read sections of Augustine’s more comprehensive work in the City of God for research purposes on topics of theological interest. So there weren’t expectations going into the reading, but only an impression about who Augustine was and what others said and wrote about him. He is cited a lot and followed closely by devoted followers of Christ Jesus among all traditions of Christianity. Catholics often claim Augustine as an early Catholic church father for a time as he served within its early traditions.

The following is a synthesis of Confessions, a book-by-book summary produced by personal research that corresponds to my first reading of Augustine’s entire work.

INTRODUCTION

Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), also known as Saint Augustine, was a theologian, philosopher, and bishop of the North African city of Hippo Regius, located in present-day Annaba, Algeria. He is one of the most significant figures in the development of Western Christianity and a key figure in the history of Western philosophy. Augustine was initially a follower of Manichaeism and later Neoplatonism. Still, after converting to Christianity in 386 AD, he became a prominent Christian theologian and eventually the Bishop of Hippo in 396 AD.

Augustine’s writings, including his autobiographical work “Confessions” and his magnum opus “The City of God,” have profoundly impacted the development of Christian doctrine and the Western intellectual tradition. He tackled various theological issues, such as original sin, predestination, the nature of the soul, and the relationship between faith and reason. Augustine’s ideas have influenced many subsequent philosophers and theologians, including Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, and John Calvin.

In addition to his theological works, Augustine made important contributions to the fields of ethics, epistemology, and political philosophy. His ideas on the relationship between church and state, the nature of the just war, and the role of government in maintaining peace and order have had a lasting impact on Western political thought.

BOOK I – Childhood

In Book 1 of Confessions, Augustine begins his spiritual autobiography by addressing God and reflecting on the nature of sin and human frailty. The book primarily focuses on his early childhood, exploring how even as a young child, he was prone to sin and driven by desires that led him astray.

Augustine describes his early years in the Roman African city of Thagaste (present-day Souk Ahras, Algeria). He notes that he was born into a Christian family, but was not baptized as an infant due to the cultural practice of waiting until later in life. He also provides an account of his education, recounting his learning of Latin, reading, and writing, as well as his exposure to Roman literature.

Throughout Book 1, Augustine frequently returns to the theme of sin, illustrating it with anecdotes from his childhood. He mentions instances of selfishness, deceit, and disobedience, highlighting the sinful nature inherent in humans. A famous example he provides is the story of stealing pears from a neighbor’s tree, not out of hunger or necessity, but simply for the thrill of doing something forbidden.

Augustine also delves into the topic of human desire and its role in leading people away from God. He explores the idea of “concupiscence,” which he defines as disordered desires or lusts that distract individuals from pursuing God.

Overall, Book 1 of Confessions serves as an introduction to Augustine’s life and thought, setting the stage for his journey towards faith and his eventual conversion to Christianity. It highlights themes of sin, desire, and the human inclination towards wrongdoing, all of which will be further explored in subsequent books.

Book I Synopsis

He admires God’s Majesty and is inflamed with a deep desire to praise him
Man hath his being from God; and that God is in man, and man in God
God is wholly everywhere and is not by parts contained by the Creature
An admirable description of God’s Attributes
He prays for the forgiveness of sins and the Love of God
That he hath received all blessings from God: and how he hath been preserved by him
That even his infancy was subject to sin
A description of his childhood
The hatred that children bear for Learning, and their Love for Playing
How, for his play, he neglected his Parents’ Commandments
How he fell sick and how recovering, his Baptism was deferred
He is forced to his Book: which God turned for good purpose
With what studies he was chiefly delighted
Of the Greek and Latin Tongues
His Prayer to God
Against lascivious fables
The way of exercising youth in repeating and varying verses
That Men care more about observing the Rules of Grammar than the Laws of God
How he was more careful to avoid Barbarisms of Speech than the corruption of Manners
He thanked God for his Benefits

BOOK II – Teen Years

In Book 2 of Confessions, Augustine continues his spiritual autobiography, shifting his focus to his teenage years and examining the nature of lust, the consequences of sinful behavior, and the longing for God’s grace.

During this period of his life, Augustine admits to being heavily influenced by his sensual desires, driven by lust and the impulses of his youth. He recounts the story of stealing pears from a neighbor’s tree, an act that has become emblematic of his exploration of sin. Augustine emphasizes that the theft was motivated not by hunger or need, but by the sheer enjoyment of wrongdoing, which reveals the depths of human depravity.

Augustine also discusses his education and his early interest in literature and rhetoric. Although he acknowledges the value of acquiring knowledge, he criticizes the fact that his studies were often guided by ambition and the pursuit of worldly success, rather than by a desire for truth or closeness to God.

Throughout Book 2, Augustine reflects on the role of human will and its susceptibility to temptation. He recognizes that even though he was aware of the difference between right and wrong, he often chose to act against his better judgment, succumbing to temptation and sin. This realization leads him to contemplate the need for God’s grace to guide and transform human will, allowing individuals to overcome their sinful inclinations.

In summary, Book 2 of Confessions delves into Augustine’s teenage years, examining the pervasiveness of sin, the weakness of human will, and the necessity of God’s grace. It reveals how Augustine’s early experiences with desire and ambition eventually led him to seek a deeper understanding of God and the nature of human existence.

Book II Synopsis

He enters upon the Years and Sins of his Youth
He accuses his youth spent in the heat of Lustfulness
Of his Travels for his Studies’ sake and his Parents’ Purpose in it
How he robbed a Pear-tree
No man sins, but provoked by some Cause
All those things which under the show of Good invite us to sin, are in God alone, to be found True and perfect
He returns thanks to God for remitting these sins, and for keeping him from many others
What he loved in that his theft
Bad Company is infectious
Whatsoever is good, is in God

BOOK III – Teen Years and Early Adulthood

In Book 3 of “Confessions,” Augustine recounts his time as a young man in Carthage, where he pursued his education and grappled with the seductions of worldly desires. This book explores Augustine’s intellectual and moral development, highlighting the influence of Manicheism, a dualistic religion he embraced for nearly a decade, and his struggle with lust.

Upon arriving in Carthage, Augustine is confronted with a city filled with temptations and distractions. He becomes entangled in a passionate love affair and struggles with the allure of lust and sexual desire, which he later sees as a significant obstacle to his spiritual journey.

Augustine also encounters Manicheism, a religious movement that offers an appealing explanation for the existence of evil in the world. Manicheism posits a dualistic cosmos in which two opposing forces, Good (the spiritual realm) and Evil (the material realm), are engaged in an eternal struggle. Augustine is initially drawn to this religion, as it seemingly addresses his concerns about the problem of evil and provides a framework for understanding the human condition. However, over time, he becomes disillusioned with Manicheism due to its intellectual inconsistencies and the inability of its adherents to answer his deeper philosophical questions.

Despite his preoccupation with worldly desires and his involvement with Manicheism, Augustine never loses sight of his thirst for truth and wisdom. He continues to study and explore various intellectual disciplines, including rhetoric, philosophy, and the works of Cicero. His search for truth eventually leads him to discover the beauty and depth of the Christian faith.

In summary, Book 3 of “Confessions” narrates Augustine’s experiences in Carthage, as he wrestles with the temptations of worldly desires, grapples with the allure of Manicheism, and pursues his passion for knowledge. This period of his life lays the groundwork for the profound intellectual and spiritual transformations that await him in the years to come.

Book III Synopsis

He is caught with Love, which he hunted after
Of Stage Plays
His conversation with young Lawyers
How Tully’s Hortensius provoked him to study Philosophy
He sets lightly by the Holy Scriptures because of the simplicity of the style
How he was ensnared by the Manichees
The absurd doctrine of the Manichees
Heinous offenses what be, and how punished
The difference that is betwixt Sins, and betwixt the Judgment of God and Men
He speaks again of the Fig-tree, and derides the Manichees’ foolish conceits about it
His Mother’s Dream
The answer his Mother received from a Bishop, concerning his Conversion

BOOK IV – Early Adult Years

In Book 4 of Confessions, Augustine focuses on his early adult years, specifically his time as a teacher of rhetoric in Carthage and his growing dissatisfaction with the Manichaean religion. He also addresses themes such as ambition, pride, and grief as he delves into his personal relationships and professional life.

During this period, Augustine’s ambition and desire for worldly success drive him to become a successful teacher of rhetoric. However, he acknowledges that his pursuit of material wealth and fame often distracts him from seeking deeper truth and genuine wisdom.

Augustine discusses his continued involvement with Manichaeism, revealing that he began to find inconsistencies in its teachings and became increasingly disillusioned with its explanations of good and evil. As his skepticism grows, he starts to search for a more satisfying spiritual framework.

One of the central events in Book 4 is the death of a close friend, which deeply affects Augustine and causes him to reflect on the impermanence of life and the nature of human attachment. He confronts his own grief and recognizes that his attachment to temporal, earthly things ultimately leaves him unfulfilled and unsatisfied. This realization further motivates him to seek lasting truth and happiness beyond the material world.

Book 4 of Confessions portrays Augustine’s growing awareness of the limitations of worldly ambitions and the inadequacies of the Manichaean religion. Through his personal experiences and his exploration of loss, he becomes increasingly aware of the necessity for a more profound understanding of life and a closer relationship with God. This period in his life marks an important turning point in his spiritual journey, setting the stage for the subsequent phases of his conversion.

Book IV Synopsis

How long, and what ways he seduced others
He teaches Rhetoric, and despiseth a Wizard who promised him the Victory
Giving himself to Astrology, he is reclaimed by an ancient Physician
He relates the sickness and Baptism of his Friend, whom himself had affected with Heresy: he grievously laments his Death
Of Tears in our Prayers for, and Bewailing of, the Thing Beloved
He tells with what great Affection he loved his Friend
The impatientness of grief constrains us to shift our dwellings
Time cures Sorrow
The comparing of Human Friendship with Divine
All Beauty is from God, who is to be prayed for all
All things are created mutable in themselves, and immutable in God
Love of the Creatures is not forbidden, provided that in those which please us, God be loved
Love, whence it comes
Of his Book of Fair and Fit
How his Understanding being overshadowed with corporeal images, he could not discern the spiritual
The admirable Aptness to Learning, and the great Understanding St. Augustine had

BOOK V – Rome, Milan, and Manichaeism

In Book 5 of Confessions, Augustine recounts his departure from Carthage to Rome and then his appointment as a teacher of rhetoric in Milan, Italy. This period in his life is marked by significant events and encounters that play a crucial role in shaping his intellectual and spiritual development.

One key event during this time is Augustine’s disillusionment with Manichaeism. While teaching in Rome, he meets a famous Manichaean bishop named Faustus, hoping to find answers to his doubts about the religion. However, Augustine becomes disappointed when he realizes that Faustus cannot provide the intellectual depth or satisfying explanations he is seeking. This meeting further erodes Augustine’s confidence in Manichaeism and accelerates his journey toward Christianity.

Upon moving to Milan, Augustine encounters the influential Bishop Ambrose, a renowned theologian and preacher. Ambrose’s eloquence, intelligence, and deep understanding of the Christian faith greatly impress Augustine. His exposure to Ambrose’s sermons and teachings, as well as his interpretation of the Scriptures, begins to dismantle Augustine’s previous objections to Christianity. Additionally, Ambrose’s personal kindness toward Augustine fosters a relationship that serves as a significant catalyst for Augustine’s conversion.

While in Milan, Augustine also becomes acquainted with Neoplatonism, a school of philosophy that synthesizes elements of Plato’s thought with other philosophical and religious traditions. Neoplatonism helps Augustine gain a new perspective on the nature of evil, which he comes to understand as the absence of good rather than a positive force in itself. This insight aids in reconciling his previous struggles with the problem of evil in Christian doctrine.

Book 5 of Confessions depicts crucial moments in Augustine’s spiritual journey, as his disillusionment with Manichaeism leads him to engage more deeply with Christian thought. His encounters with Ambrose and Neoplatonism provide him with a new understanding of Christianity, setting the stage for his eventual conversion in Book 8.

Book V Synopsis

He stirs his own Soul to praise God
God’s presence can no man avoid, seeing he is everywhere
Of Faustus the Manichee: and of Astrologies
Only the Knowledge of God makes happy
The rashness of Faustus, in teaching what he knew not
Faustus was eloquent by Nature, rather than by Art
He falls off from the Manichees
He takes a Voyage to Rome, against the will of his Mother
Of a shrewd Fever that he fell into
His Errors before his receiving the Doctrine of the Gospel
How he compared the Manichees’ Tenets with the Catholics
The cunning Tricks put at Rome by Scholars upon their Masters
He goes to Milan to teach Rhetoric, and how St. Ambrose there entertains him
Upon his hearing of St. Ambrose, he by little and little falls off from his errors

BOOK VI – Milan

In Book 6 of Confessions Augustine further explores his time in Milan, focusing on the development of his relationships and the spiritual progress he made while grappling with his attachment to earthly desires.

During this period, Augustine’s mother, Monica, joins him in Milan. Monica is a devout Christian who has long prayed for her son’s conversion. She seeks advice from Bishop Ambrose, who assures her that Augustine will eventually find his way to Christianity. Her faith and prayers play a significant role in Augustine’s spiritual journey.

Augustine also forms friendships with fellow seekers of truth, who engage in discussions about philosophy, religion, and the nature of happiness. These friendships provide intellectual stimulation and foster a sense of community that helps him in his quest for understanding.

Despite his growing attraction to Christianity, Augustine continues to struggle with his desires, particularly lust and ambition. He is involved in a long-term relationship with a woman who has borne him a son, Adeodatus, but he is hesitant to commit to a life of celibacy, which he believes is necessary for genuine conversion.

Augustine’s attachment to material success and worldly ambitions also hinders his full acceptance of Christianity. He finds it difficult to reconcile his desire for professional achievement with the humility and self-denial that he perceives as essential to the Christian life.

In summary, Book 6 of Confessions portrays Augustine’s increasing engagement with Christian thought and the obstacles he faces as he moves closer to conversion. His struggles with lust, ambition, and his attachment to worldly success serve as the backdrop for the deepening of his relationships and his ongoing search for spiritual truth.

Book VI Synopsis

How St. Augustine was neither Manichee, nor good Catholic
His Mother is turned from her country Superstitions
The Employments and Studies of St. Ambrose
Of the Letter and the Spirit
Of the Authority and necessary Use of the Holy Bible
The Misery of the ambitious, shewn by the example of a Beggar
He dissuades Alypius from his excessive delight in the Circensian Games
Alypius is taken with a delight of the Sword-plays, which before he hated
Alypius was apprehended for suspicion of thievery
Of the great Integrity of Alypius, and of Nebridius’ coming
He deliberates what course of life he were best to take
A Contention between Alypius and Augustine, about Marriage and Single Life
Augustine lays out for a Wife
A new Plot is laid and broken
How his old Concubine goes away from him, and he gets another
Of the Immortality of the Soul

BOOK VII – Neoplatonism

In Book 7 of Confessions, Augustine recounts a crucial period in his intellectual and spiritual journey, as he delves deeper into Neoplatonism and comes closer to embracing Christianity. This book details the intellectual breakthroughs that bring him to the threshold of conversion, while also exploring his internal struggles and the obstacles he still needs to overcome.

Augustine’s engagement with Neoplatonism provides him with new philosophical perspectives that help clarify his understanding of the nature of God, evil, and the soul. Through Neoplatonism, he comes to see evil as a privation of good rather than an independent force, which helps resolve his long-standing struggles with the problem of evil. He also gains a deeper understanding of the immaterial nature of God and the human soul, allowing him to better appreciate the spiritual aspects of Christianity.

Simultaneously, Augustine becomes more familiar with the Bible, particularly the writings of Saint Paul, which resonate with his personal experiences and spiritual struggles. He finds solace in the message of divine grace, realizing that human beings are incapable of achieving salvation through their own efforts and need God’s assistance to overcome sin.

Despite these intellectual breakthroughs, Augustine still faces significant obstacles on his path to conversion. He continues to struggle with his desires, particularly lust, and finds it difficult to abandon his old habits and fully commit to a Christian lifestyle. He acknowledges his own internal conflict, expressing a longing for spiritual transformation, yet hesitating due to his attachment to worldly pleasures.

Book 7 of Confessions represents a pivotal stage in Augustine’s spiritual journey. As he grapples with Neoplatonic philosophy and deepens his understanding of Christian teachings, he is brought to the brink of conversion. However, his internal struggles and the lingering attachment to earthly desires still need to be overcome before he can fully embrace the Christian faith.

Book VII Synopsis

How rejecting corporeal Images, he began to know God to be incorporeal
Nebridius confutes the Manichees
Free Will is the cause of Sin
God cannot be compelled
He pursues his enquiries after the root of sin
Divinations made by the Mathematicians are vain
He is miserably tortured in his Enquiry after the Root of Evil
How the Mercy of God at length relieved him
What he found in some Books of the Platonists, agreeable to the Christian Doctrine
Divine things are more clearly discovered unto him
How Creatures are, and yet are not
All that is, is Good
All created Things praise God
To a sober Mind, none of God’s Creatures are displeasing
How there is truth and falsehood in the Creatures
All Things are good, though to some Things not fit
What things hinder us of God’s Knowledge
Only Christ is the Way to Salvation
What he thought of Christ’s Incarnation
Of divers Books of the Platonists
What he found in the Holy Scriptures, which was not in the Platonists

BOOK VIII – Conversion to Christianity

In Book 8 of Confessions, Augustine reaches the climactic point of his spiritual journey – his long-awaited conversion to Christianity. The book focuses on his internal struggle to overcome his remaining barriers to faith, as well as the crucial events and encounters that ultimately lead to his surrender to God’s grace.

Augustine continues to wrestle with his attachment to worldly desires, particularly lust, which prevents him from wholeheartedly embracing the Christian faith. Although he has intellectually accepted the truth of Christianity, his will remains divided, unable to break free from his past habits and fully commit to a new life.

Several key events and encounters in this book play a significant role in Augustine’s ultimate conversion:

The story of Victorinus, a prominent Roman rhetorician and philosopher who converted to Christianity late in life, serves as an inspiration for Augustine, demonstrating that it is possible to leave behind a life of worldly success for the sake of faith.
Augustine meets Simplicianus, a wise and experienced Christian who shares the story of the conversion of St. Ambrose’s mentor, the Neoplatonist philosopher Marius Victorinus. This story further emphasizes the transformative power of Christianity and its ability to transcend philosophical differences.
Augustine hears the account of the conversion of two officials in the imperial court, Ponticianus and his friends, who were deeply moved by the life of St. Antony, a renowned Egyptian hermit. Their transformation after reading the story of Antony challenges Augustine to reexamine his own priorities and confront the barriers that prevent him from embracing Christianity.

The culminating event in Augustine’s conversion occurs in a garden, where he hears the voice of a child singing, “Take up and read.” Interpreting this as a divine command, Augustine picks up a nearby copy of the Bible and reads a passage from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans (13:13-14), which urges him to cast off his old ways and embrace the teachings of Christ. This powerful, transformative moment marks the beginning of Augustine’s new life as a Christian.

Book 8 of Confessions, captures the final stages of Augustine’s journey to Christianity, detailing the internal struggles, external influences, and divine interventions that culminate in his conversion. With this pivotal transformation, Augustine begins a new chapter in his life, dedicated to the pursuit of truth, wisdom, and holiness through the Christian faith.

Book VIII Synopsis

How being inflamed with the Love of Heavenly Things, he goes to Simplicianus
How Victorinus, the famous Orator, was converted
That God and his Angels do rejoice the more, at the conversion of a greater Sinner
Why we are more to rejoice in the Conversion of a great Sinner
What hindered his Conversion
Ponticianus relates the Life of St. Anthony
He was out of Love with himself upon this Story
What he did in the Garden
Why the Mind is so slow to Goodness
The Will of Man is various
The Combat in him betwixt the Spirit and the Flesh
How he was converted by a voice

BOOK IX – Baptism and Death of Augustine’s Mother

Book 9 of Confessions, marks the beginning of Augustine’s new life as a Christian, focusing on the immediate aftermath of his conversion, his baptism, and the death of his mother, Monica. This book explores themes of spiritual transformation, the power of grace, and the importance of community in his journey of faith.

Following his conversion in Book 8, Augustine decides to resign from his position as a teacher of rhetoric and dedicate his life to serving God. Together with his close friends and his son, Adeodatus, he forms a small Christian community where they devote themselves to prayer, study, and contemplation. This period of retreat allows Augustine to further deepen his understanding of Christianity and prepare for his upcoming baptism.

In Milan, Augustine, Adeodatus, and his close friend Alypius are baptized by Bishop Ambrose during the Easter Vigil. This significant event symbolizes the beginning of their new lives as Christians and their commitment to living according to the teachings of Christ.

One of the central events in Book 9 is the death of Augustine’s mother, Monica, which takes place shortly after his baptism. Augustine reflects on her life, faith, and the profound influence she had on his spiritual journey. He recounts a moving conversation they shared shortly before her death, in which they discussed the nature of eternal life and the joys of heaven. Monica’s passing prompts Augustine to contemplate the transient nature of earthly existence and the promise of eternal life in the presence of God.

In summary, Book 9 of Confessions, narrates the transformative experiences following Augustine’s conversion, including his retreat, baptism, and the death of his mother. This book emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth, the power of divine grace, and the role of supportive relationships in helping individuals navigate the challenges and joys of the Christian faith.

Book IX Synopsis

He praiseth God’s Goodness; and acknowledgeth his own wretchedness
He gives over his Teaching of Rhetoric
Verecundus lends them his Country House
What things he wrote with Nebridius
Ambrose directs him what Books to read
He is Baptized at Milan
A Persecution in the Church miraculously diverted
The Conversion of Euodius. A Discourse of his Mother
His Mother Monica’s carriage towards her Husband. A description of a rare Wife
Of a Conference he had with his Mother about the Kingdom of Heaven
Of the Extasy and Death of his Mother
He laments his Mother’s Death
He prayed for his dead Mother

BOOK X- Theology of Memory, Nature of Prayer, Self Examination

In Book 10 of Confessions, Augustine shifts from recounting his personal narrative to offering a profound meditation on memory, self-examination, and the nature of prayer. He examines his current relationship with God and reflects on the human condition, exploring the various dimensions of human desire and the longing for divine union.

Augustine delves into the concept of memory, marveling at its vastness and complexity. He acknowledges the crucial role of memory in shaping his understanding of God, as well as its function in retaining knowledge and experiences. Augustine sees memory as a repository of his past sins and errors, but also as a space where he can encounter God’s grace and presence.

As he engages in self-examination, Augustine reflects on the nature of temptation and the ongoing struggle against sin, even after his conversion. He acknowledges that while he has made progress in his spiritual life, he still faces the challenge of resisting various forms of desire and attachment, such as the temptations of the senses, pride, and the allure of worldly success. He emphasizes the necessity of God’s grace in overcoming these temptations and maintaining the pursuit of holiness.

Throughout Book 10, Augustine offers a series of prayers and reflections on his relationship with God. He seeks divine guidance and assistance in his quest for spiritual growth, acknowledging his reliance on God’s grace to transform his desires and align them with the divine will. Augustine also meditates on the ultimate goal of human existence, which he sees as a longing for union with God, a state of perfect happiness and eternal fulfillment.

In summary, Book 10 of Confessions represents a departure from the autobiographical narrative of the earlier books, focusing instead on a profound exploration of memory, self-examination, and prayer. Through these meditations, Augustine deepens his understanding of his relationship with God and the ongoing challenges he faces in his spiritual journey, revealing the complexity and dynamism of the human desire for divine union.

Book X Synopsis

The Confessions of the Heart
Secret Things are known unto God
The Confession of our ill deeds, what it helps us
Of the great Fruit of Confession
That Man knoweth not himself thoroughly: and knows not God but in a glass darkly
What God is, and how known
God is not to be found by any Ability in our Bodies
The Force of the Memory
The Memory of divers Sciences
Our Senses convey things into our Memory
The Forms of things are in the Soul
The Memory of Mathematicians
The Memory of Memory
How, when we are not glad, we call to mind things that have made us glad
We remember absent Things also
There is a Memory of Forgetfulness also
A threefold Power of Memory
Of the Remembrance
What Remembrance is
All Men desire Blessedness
We also remember what we never had
True Joy, is this blessed Life
A blessed life; what, and where it is
That the Memory containeth God too
In what degree of the Memory God is found
Whereabouts God is to be found
How God draws us to himself
The Misery of this Life
Our Hope is all in God
The deceitfulness of Dreams
The Temptation of Eating and Drinking
Of our Delight in Smelling
The Pleasures taken in Hearing
The Enticements coming in by the Eyes
Of our Curiosity in knowing
The Sin of Pride
Praise and Dispraise, how they move us
Virtue is endangered by Vain-glory
Of Self-love
His Striving against Sin
God and a Lie cannot stand together
Angels cannot be our Mediators
Christ only is the all-sufficient Intercessor

BOOK XI – Theological Inquiry on Time and Creation

In Book 11 of Confessions, Augustine transitions from an introspective examination of his own life to a broader inquiry into philosophical and theological questions. Focusing primarily on the nature of time and creation, Augustine reflects on the opening verses of the Book of Genesis and offers insights into God’s relationship with the temporal world.

Augustine begins by considering the nature of time, asking what it is and how it can be understood. He acknowledges the complexity and elusiveness of time, examining its properties and the difficulty humans have in grasping its true essence. He distinguishes between past, present, and future, asserting that only the present truly exists, while the past and future are mental constructs.

Turning to the subject of creation, Augustine contemplates the nature of God’s creative act as described in the Book of Genesis. He rejects the idea that God created the world in a temporal sense, as he believes that God exists outside of time, being eternal and unchanging. Instead, Augustine proposes that creation occurred simultaneously with time, both having their origin in God’s creative act.

Throughout his reflections on time and creation, Augustine emphasizes the limitations of human understanding when it comes to comprehending divine realities. He acknowledges that human language and concepts are insufficient to fully grasp the nature of God and the mysteries of creation.

Book 11 of Confessions, marks a significant shift in focus, as Augustine moves from a personal exploration of his own experiences to a broader philosophical and theological inquiry. By contemplating the nature of time and creation, Augustine deepens his understanding of God’s relationship with the temporal world and underscores the limitations of human knowledge in the face of divine mysteries.

Book XI Synopsis

Why we confess unto God who knows all
He sueth to be delivered from his Sins and Errors, and to be guided unto the true Knowledge
He desires to understand the Holy Scriptures
The Creatures proclaim God to be their Creator
How the World was made of Nothing
He disputes curiously what manner of Word the World was created by
The Son of God is the Word co-eternal with the Father
The Word of God is our Teacher in all
How the Word of God speaketh unto the Heart
God’s Will knows no Beginning
God’s Eternity not to be measured by the parts of Time
What God did before the Creation of the World
That before those Times which God created, there was no Time
Of the Nature and three Differences of Time
No Time can be said to be long
Of our measuring of Times
Where Time past, and to come, now are
How Times past, and to come, are now present
He demands of God, how future Things be foreknown
These three differences of Times, how they are to be called
How Time may be measured
He begs of God the Resolution of a Difficulty
He clears this Question, what Time is
Time it is, by which we measure the Motion of Bodies
He prayed again
The Measuring of the Feet and Syllables of a Verse
He begins to resolve the former question, how we measure time
We measure Times in our Mind
How the Mind lengthens out itself
He goes on in the same Discourse
How God is known, and how the creature

BOOK XII – Theology of Creation, Scripture, and Tradition

In Book 12 of Confessions, Augustine continues his in-depth exploration of the Book of Genesis, focusing on the interpretation of Scripture and the theological implications of creation. He emphasizes the importance of humility and charity in approaching the study of Scripture and delves into various perspectives on the creation narrative.

Augustine acknowledges that Scripture can be interpreted in multiple ways, stressing the importance of embracing an attitude of humility and openness when engaging with the text. He suggests that different interpretations can be valid, as long as they do not contradict essential Christian teachings and are guided by the principles of charity and love.

To illustrate the range of interpretations, Augustine examines various understandings of the creation story in Genesis, particularly the phrase “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). He engages with multiple perspectives, including those that interpret creation as occurring in a literal sequence of days, as well as those that view it allegorically or symbolically.

Through his analysis of creation, Augustine emphasizes the distinction between God’s eternal, unchanging nature and the mutable nature of the created world. He asserts that all things find their origin in God, who transcends time and created everything from nothing (creatio ex nihilo). Augustine also explores the nature of God’s Word (the Logos) and its role in the creation process, recognizing that the Word is the means through which all things were made.

Book 12 of Confessions extends Augustine’s theological inquiry into the interpretation of Scripture and the nature of creation. His emphasis on humility, charity, and intellectual openness when approaching the Bible, as well as his exploration of various interpretations of the Genesis narrative, demonstrate the depth and complexity of Augustine’s thought and the richness of the Christian intellectual tradition.

Book XII Synopsis

’Tis very difficult to find out the Truth
That the Heaven we see is but Earth, in respect of the Heaven of Heavens, which we see not
Of the Darkness upon the Face of the Deep
Of the Chaos, and what Moses called it
That this Chaos is hard to conceive
What himself sometimes thought of it
Heaven is greater than Earth
The Chaos was created out of nothing, and out of that, all things
What that Heaven of Heavens is
His Desire to understand the Scriptures
What he learned of God
Of two Creatures not within Compass of Time
The Nature of the Heaven of Heavens described
The Depth of Holy Scripture
The Difference betwixt the Creator and the creatures. Some Discourses about the Heaven of Heavens
Against such as contradict divine Truth: and of his own Delight in it
What the Names of Heaven and Earth signify
Divers Expositors may understand one Text several Ways
Of some particular apparent Truths
He interprets Genesis 1:1 otherwise
These Words, the Earth was void &c., diversely understood
That the waters are also contained under the names of Heaven and Earth
In interpreting of Holy Scripture, Truth is to be sought with a charitable Construction
The Scripture is true, though we understand not the uttermost Scope or Depth of it
We are not to break Charity about a different Exposition of Scripture
What Style was fit to write the Scriptures in
The best Drawing at the fountain
How diversely this Scripture is understood by others
How many Ways a Thing may be said to be First
The Scriptures are to be searched, with honorable Respect unto the Penman
Truth is so to be received; whoever speaks it
He prays to obtain right Meaning

BOOK XIII – Theology of Creation, Trinity, and Spiritual Formation

In Book 13, the final book of Confessions, Augustine continues his reflections on the Book of Genesis, focusing on the creation narrative, the nature of the Holy Trinity, and the process of spiritual renewal. Augustine also meditates on the role of Scripture and the Church in guiding individuals on their path to God.

Augustine explores the meaning behind the seven days of creation, offering both literal and allegorical interpretations. He sees the days as representing various stages in the spiritual development of human beings as they progress toward union with God. In his analysis, Augustine emphasizes the role of divine grace in transforming the human soul and enabling spiritual growth.

Throughout his reflections on Genesis, Augustine consistently refers to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, contemplating the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in creation and the process of redemption. He sees the Trinity as the source of all being, goodness, and truth, and highlights its importance in understanding the nature of God and the dynamics of the Christian faith.

Augustine also meditates on the Church as the body of Christ, emphasizing the importance of community and the role of the Church in nurturing spiritual growth. He views the Church as a vehicle through which individuals can receive divine grace, participate in the sacraments, and grow closer to God.

In the concluding passages of Confessions, Augustine offers a prayer of gratitude and praise to God, acknowledging the transformative power of divine grace in his own life and the lives of others. He reaffirms his commitment to a life of faith, seeking to deepen his relationship with God and share the insights he has gained throughout his spiritual journey. In summary, Book 13 of “Confessions” brings Augustine’s work to a close by reflecting on the creation narrative, the Holy Trinity, and the process of spiritual renewal. His emphasis on the importance of Scripture, the Church, and the role of divine grace in guiding individuals toward union with God provides a fitting conclusion to this deeply personal and profoundly theological work.