Augustine of Hippo

Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis (3 Nov 354 – 28 Aug 430)

 

Portrait of Augustine, theologian, philosopher, and bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Africa.

Lesson Series

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1. Confessions

 

2. De Civitate Dei

 

3. De Magistro

 

4. De Praedestinatione Sanctorum 

 

Confessions

In this series, Prof. Noe looks at the work of the Bishop of Hippo as he lays out the philosophical and theological autobiography of his journey from unbelief to faith.

Written in 395 or 396 A.D., 10 years after his conversion, Augustine confesses both his sins (without prurience) and his growing faith in God.

Confessions I

Leomudde / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
Confessions – Manuscript on vellum. Germany, first half 13th century. 

De Civitate Dei

His magnum opus, the City of God was partly written in response to the capture of Rome by Alaric in 410 A.D.
Detailing the general failure of Roman culture and, as James O’Donnell says “paying off his debt to Vergil”, this work stands as a timeless description of the two cities, human and divine, and their respective loves and ends.
Leomudde / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
The City of God, opening text, manuscript c. 1470

De Magistro

This is one of Augustine’s earliest works written soon after his conversion (386 A.D.) at Cassiciacum, a place of literary retirement.

In dialogue with his son Adeodatus the Christian philosopher explains that all learning is self-teaching, and we must be taught by Christ to gain true knowledge. 

Leomudde / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
The earliest known portrait of Saint Augustine in a 6th-century fresco, Lateran, Rome

De Praedestinatione Sanctorum 

This mature work of the last few years of Augustine’s life, he argues for God’s eternal decision as the basis for the salvation of boys and girls, men and women. Written in 428 or 429 A.D. it is one of his most important and challenging works.

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