RECOMMENDED BOOKS - AUGUSTINE

Accepted by most scholars to be the most important figure in the ancient Western church, St. Augustine was born in Tagaste, Numidia in North Africa. After a rather unremarkable childhood, marred only by a case of stealing pears, Augustine drifted through several philosophical systems before converting to Christianity at the age of thirty-one. Returning to his homeland soon after his conversion, he was ordained a presbyter in 391, taking the position as bishop of Hippo in 396, a position which he held until his death. Besides the Confessions, Augustine's most celebrated work is his De Civitate Dei (On the City of God), a study of the relationship between Christianity and secular society, which was inspired by the fall of Rome to the Visigoths in 410. Among his other works, many are polemical attacks on various heresies - most notably the Pelagian heresy that denied human depravity.


CITY OF GOD
Augustine
Category: Heroes, Puritans, And Reformers
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Augustine wrote this monumental treatise to explain Christianity's relationship with competing religions and philosophies, and to the Roman government with which it was increasingly intertwined. It was written soon after Rome was sacked by the Visigoths in 410. This event left Romans in a deep state of shock, and many saw it as punishment for abandoning traditional Roman religion for Christianity. It was in this atmosphere that Augustine set out to console Christians, writing that, even if the earthly rule of the empire was imperiled, it was the City of God that would ultimately triumph — Augustine's eyes were fixed on Heaven. The book presents human history as being a conflict between what Augustine calls the City of Man and the City of God. The City of God is marked by people who forgot earthly pleasure to dedicate themselves to the eternal truths of Christian faith. The City of Man, on the other hand, consists of people who have immersed themselves in the cares and pleasures of the present, passing world.


ON CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
Augustine
Category: Heroes, Puritans, And Reformers
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In On Christian Doctrine, Augustine helps readers discover, teach, and defend the truths of Scripture. According to Augustine, in order for Christians to fully understand Scripture, it should be interpreted with faith, hope, and love. He helps readers recognize and interpret figurative expressions and ambiguous language. Augustine suggests that readers consult original translations and commit difficult terms to memory. He also suggests we familiarize ourselves with the meaning of frequently used symbols, such as "shepherd" and "sheep." For those who teach the Scripture to others, he says we must teach in honesty - not for self-seeking purposes. This text offers an impressive wealth of practical wisdom for reading the Bible. It is evident that Augustine earnestly wanted his readers to understand God's Word.