St. Augustine

Saint Augustine

By Allison Brown

 

 

What is our purpose? This is an age old question. Everyone has probably asked this question at some point in their life. Everyone wants to know the why, what, where, who, when and how. Philosophers are credited with pondering and searching for answers to this timeless question. Among those who thought and searched were Plato, Aristotle, and even men of the church such as, Saint Augustine.[1]

            Saint Augustine was an educated man. He was never lacking in intelligence. In his book Confessions, he mentions how he was often more knowledgeable then those teaching. He understood many texts, and he was a genius (so it sounds) when it came to speaking, reading or interpreting Latin. However, he admitted that he was haughty and used his knowledge to impress at times.[2]

            In his book, The Confessions of St Augustine, he writes;

“Did understanding all these things make me more educated, or did it     hinder my mind?”[3]

 

It’s amazing that even today, people ask this question. Is knowledge everything or is it a stumbling block? Many people are knowledgeable, smart, well rounded citizens, but what good is knowledge without meaning? Augustine knew much, but he seemed to be searching for a purpose.

            Augustine had the privilege to study under Aristotle at Carthage.[4] Aristotle taught that, “Everything functions best when it fulfills its purpose and acts according to its nature.”[5] He ultimately taught that humans seek happiness. Augustine seems to have admired his teacher, and it seems as if he used that philosophy and applied it to his life before and after he became a Christian.

            Saint Augustine of Hippo, was born November 13, 354AD in Tagaste. His homeland, located in Africa, was part of the Roman Empire.[6] As he grew, he was torn between the world and religion. His mother, Monica, was a Christian but his father was not. Monica prayed for her family. She constantly urged her son to put his trust in Christ and not in men or the world.[7]

            Augustine struggled with religion as he grew. His father never discouraged him from Christianity.[8] As a boy, Augustine almost died and considered being baptized. But he soon decided against it once the illness past. Even though, his mother made sure he received a Christian education.[9] If his mother had not been such an ardent Christian woman, he could have very well been just another teacher of philosophy.

            He was by no means, a saint before becoming a Christian. He was a lustful, fleshly man who couldn’t get enough of life. It’s amazing to read his take on the theater and the heart of men, as it is written in The Confessions of Saint Augustine. He writes;

                        “The theater enchanted me with its image of my own miseries.”[10]

                        “Do we really love to grieve?”[11]

 

As he writes about his theatrical experiences, he is amazed at how the audience responds to the actors. If the show does not “move the spectators to tears,” then they go away angry.[12]

            While reading this, and so many other sections of this wonderful book, one could easily apply what Augustine is saying to our world today. Greeks and Romans loved their theater, and they loved pretending. They wanted to feel the pain, so to speak. People go to movies, plays, musicals, and watch television as an escape from their life. So often, people compare themselves to what they see. If someone goes to see a comedy, they want to laugh. If someone goes to see a tragedy, they want to cry. Either way, they want to feel some sort of connection between what is happening in the act and what is going on in their life. It seems as if Augustine was no different. He wanted to be a part of the theater during the show and after.

 He was torn between believing in Christ and believing in the world. When he went to study in Carthage, he became part of the world. He enjoyed going to the theater, and he enjoyed grieving. Just like so many people today he, “looked for occasions to empathize with fake, impersonated misery.”[13] He was very much a prisoner of his flesh.

 According to the Bible it’s human nature to sin. Romans chapter 7, verse 18 says,

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.”[14]

 

Many people live the “feel good life.” In other words, if it feels good, do it. Augustine became accustom to that kind of life once he went to Carthage. He continued his studies and went from one religion to another. If the religion was appealing, popular and had views which satisfied him, he followed it.[15] He was truly searching for his purpose in life and for happiness.

            Among searching for the right religion, he took a mistress. The name of the woman is unknown. She bore him a son named Adeodatus, who died prematurely in his adolescence.[16] Eventually, Augustine left this woman in pursuit of a wealthy Milan woman. It was all in vain since that was the time of his conversion.[17]

            While he searched for a religion, he decided to become a Manichean. In Manichean dualism, there was a constant battle between good and evil. Evil was considered an “independent substance” and good was the “principle.” Individuals were not held responsible for their actions/sins.[18]

            This seemed to set well with Augustine. This way anything bad or unmoral which occurred was because of his constant struggle with good and evil. He could easily say evil “overcame me” or evil “made me do it.” He could rationalize and not blame himself for any wrong doing.

            Why would such a smart man search so hard for the right religion? Why is it that philosophers and people in general, are constantly searching for an answer and for a purpose? So many times, people grow up and over think situations or areas in their life. They can’t accept a truth for what it is, and so they rationalize it to make the truth their own. Augustine knew the truth. His mother was constantly trying to steer him in the right direction and never gave up. He always believed in Christ, but he tried so hard to rationalize Christ and the teachings of Christianity out of his life that he turned to pagan religions.

            After spending time being rebellious, enjoying what the world had to offer, and dabbling in other religious sects, he finally converted to Christianity. He was intrigued by the preaching’s of Ambrose while in Milan. Augustine had gone through some hard times. First, he went to Rome to start a school. Unfortunately he became ill. After he recovered, he opened a rhetoric school, but his students never paid the tuition. Heart broken and not knowing what to do, he went to Milan to be a professor. He was around twenty nine years of age. He had the privilege of meeting Ambrose, a bishop, and he was so taken by his generosity that he became a regular at Ambrose’s services.[19]

            Saint Ambrose and Augustine’s mother played a major role in his conversion. St. Ambrose’s kindness had inspired Augustine to rethink his life and his views. Augustine’s mother had always been close to her son and was constantly praying for his soul. Despite all this, he did not convert without a fight.

 He battled with reason and theory and the thought of giving up a life style to which he had grown accustom. That is until, “in the garden one day, Augustine thought he heard a child’s singsong voice repeating the phrase, Tolle et lege, tolle et lege (“pick up and read”).[20]

            Imagine his surprise. At first, he was stunned and thought he was hearing things, but he went ahead and picked up a copy of the Epistles of Paul and begin to read. When he opened it, he read;

“No drunken orgies, no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no strife or jealousy. Let your armor be the Lord Jesus Christ, and forget about satisfying your bodies with all their lusts.”[21]

 

He knew from then on that he wanted to put on the armor of Christ and live a Christian life. He gave up the wealthy woman to whom he was betrothed and on Easter 387, a year later, he was baptized in Milan by St. Ambrose.[22]

            Not long after his baptism, he was grief stricken by the death of his mother. In autumn of 387, Monica died. Augustine remembered his mother as a loving woman who cared for him. He remembers the last time he got to talk with her, and how they agreed that God is truly amazing. They marveled at his works and at the many things he creates. At the time of her death, Augustine and his brother were by her side. His brother wanted to take her to her homeland to die, but she did not care where her body lied. She knew when she died, her body would be no more but her spirit would be with God.[23]

            Augustine had been thankful for his mother’s constant love and devotion toward God. He was also thankful for her prayers and attention toward him and her family. If he had not been a Christian at the time of her death, he would have had many questions and his grief would have been different. Thankfully, he knew where she was going and he knew, despite the fact he would miss her, she was where she needed to be.[24]

            After her death, he continued on with his new found faith. He returned to North Africa, became a priest and then a Bishop of Hippo. His attitude had changed. Instead of a free, rebellious lifestyle, he now took on “a monastic” life.[25]

            Augustine began writing about the Christian Religion in the 390’s. His writings were very philosophical as well as passionate. His Confessions is a beautiful piece of literature full of heart, and City of God is a grand book which defends Christianity against the fall of “the Roman Empire.”[26] All of his writings have influenced Christians and non-Christians for centuries.

            His first writing happened to be on a religion he knew much about, Manchurians. He wrote On Christian Beliefs. The book is actually a collection of writings from 390 to about 421. In this massive text, he writes about the Christian faith and its meaning. He includes writings on The Trinity, The True Religion, the sacraments, the reason for baptism, why Christianity is the true faith, sin and punishment, and a large collection of other topics that are valuable in learning about Christianity. [27]

            One reason he was so set on writing against this religion was because he had embraced it before turning to Christianity. A second reason was because he had led friends and students into this false religion. He wanted to warn everyone of the danger of false teachings.[28] He believed people were easily swayed into new religions. Sometimes they would go along with the religion because it was popular, and sometimes they went against a religion because it wasn’t accepted by the world. People needed to know the facts, and they needed to have someone to point them in the right direction.

            Augustine was that “someone.” He wanted to see souls saved, and he wanted to show them the way to salvation. Christianity was considered a “mystery religion.” One of the greatest mysteries was the subject of the trinity. How could God be three, and how could Jesus be God?[29]

            Augustine looked at this question in a philosophical way. In his writing on “The Trinity,” he uses water as an example. The trinity is the father, son, and the Holy Spirit. This was and still is confusing to people. Augustine writes that when a person takes a drink of water, they just call it water. No one says, “I’m drinking fountain water,” or mountain or lake water. No matter where the water comes from, it is water. So, these “three waters” are one. Using that example, Augustine explains it is not possible for the Trinity to be separated at any time. Therefore, it is not preposterous for Christians to worship, “God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit” as one.[30]

            While reading his works it is easy to see that he was always a philosopher. After his conversion he became more of Christian philosopher and theologian. He was very good at giving examples, and using symbolism in order to prove his point.

            Another question about this “mystery religion” was, "how can a person be a born sinner?”[31]  In his Confessions, he speaks of Infancy. He tells of when he was an infant, as told to him, and how he would cry and do things according to his feelings/flesh. If his body wasn’t happy, then he wasn’t happy. Basically, he speaks of being born into a world of death.[32]

            The best way to describe the reason to consider humans as “born sinners” is probably due to the first sin which was carried out by Adam in Eden. Because of his sin, God knew man could not be completely good. Therefore, humans are born into this world as sinners, and they will always be sinners, but they can repent of their sin and have eternal life through Jesus, God’s Son.[33]

            Augustine makes a great point, along with the Bible, of how God decided to bring “good out of evil.” God gave humans freewill. There are two choices, to trust in Christ and have eternal life or not. One is the road to Heaven and the other road is the way to Hell. Augustine writes that this is a choice only a merciful God would give. God doesn’t demand sacrifices and idols, all he asks is for man to trust in his word and put their faith in Christ. Once a man turns from his sin and sees it as rotten and displeasing towards God, then he can truly be free.[34]

            Augustine’s works had a huge impact during his life and after. He inspired men such as Martin Luther to fight for God, the word of God and the truth of Christianity. He brought Greek philosophy and Christian beliefs together. He was able to show the world that philosophy and religion can be good.

            While ill, in 430, his beloved “City of Hippo” was being destroyed and taken by the Vandals. He had worked so hard to help those in Hippo while living, and even though the Vandals overtook Hippo, Augustine’s writings and philosophies live on. He died at the age of seventy-six.[35] He ended up living a hard working, happy life because he had found his purpose.

           

           

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Books

1. Saint Augustine. On Christian Belief. Ed. By Boniface Ramsey. Introduction by Michael Fiedrowicz. Hyde Park, New York: New City Press, 2005. 9, 15, 27, 289-290.

 

2. Saint Augustine. The Confessions of St. Augustine (Baker Book House, 2005), 22-23, 26-31, 27, 33, 34, 35, 66-69, 67, 126-129, 132-134.

 

3. Judith M. Bennett and C. Warren Hollister. Medieval Europe: A Short History (New York, New York: McGraw Hill, 2006), 14, 26-27.

 

4. Michael Molloy. Experiencing The World’s Religions (New York, New York: McGraw Hill, 2005), 378-379.

 

5. David Stewart and H. Gene Blocker. Fundamentals of Philosophy: sixth Edition (Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2006), 19.

 

6. Precious Moments Bible, New King James Standard Version (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1985), Romans 7:18-19, 1241.

 

Web site

 

James J. O’Donnell. Introduction: Augustine’s Life and Works, Augustine the African, http://www.ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/augustine.html, (viewed August 30, 2007)

 

New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. Life of St. Augustine, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/0208a.htm (viewed August 20 and 21, 2007)

 

 

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[1]  St Augustine. On Christian Belief, ed. Boniface Ramsey, (Hyde Park, New York: New City Press, 2005), 15.

[2] St Augustine, The Confessions of St. Augustine (Baker Book House, 2005), 66-69.

[3] Augustine, The Confessions of St Augustine (Baker Book House, 2005), 67.

[4] Saint Augustine. The Confessions of St. Augustine (Baker Book House, 2005), 66.

[5] David Stewart and H. Gene Blocker, Fundamentals of Philosophy: sixth edition (Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2006) 19.

[6] New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. Life of St. Augustine, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/0208a.htp. Viewed August 20, 2007.

[7] Saint Augustine. The Confessions of St.  Augustine (Baker Book House, 2005), 26-31.

[8] St Augustine, The Confessions of St.  Augustine (Baker Book House, 2005), 27.

 

[9]New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia, Life of St Augustine, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/0208a.htp viewed August 20, 2007.

[10] Saint Augustine. The Confessions of St. Augustine (Baker Book House, 2005), 33.

[11] Saint Augustine. The Confessions of St. Augustine (Baker Book House, 2005), 34.

[12] Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. Augustine (Baker Book House, 2005), 34.

[13] Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. Augustine (Baker Book House, 2005), 35.

[14] Precious Moments Bible, New King James Standard Version (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1985. Romans 7: 18-19), 1241.

[15] Judith M. Bennett and C. Warren Hollister, Medieval Europe: A Short History (New York, New York: McGraw Hill, 2006), 26.

[16] James J. O’Donnell, Introduction: Augustine’s Life and Works, Augustine the African, http://www.ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/augustine.html viewed August 30, 2007.

[17] Judith M. Bennett and C. Warren Hollister, Medieval Europe: A Short History (New York, New York: McGraw Hill, 2006), 26.

[18] Saint Augustine. On Christian Belief. Edited by Boniface Ramsey. Introduction by Michael Fiedrowicz (Hyde Park, New York: New City Press, 2005), 27.

[19] New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. Life of Saint Augustine of Hippo: From His Birth to his Conversion. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02084a.htm. (viewed August 21, 2007)

[20] Molloy, Michael. Experiencing the World’s Religions, fourth edition (New York, New York: McGraw Hill, 2005), 378-379.

[21] Judith M. Bennett and C. Warren Hollister, Medieval Europe A Short History (New York, New York: McGraw Hill. 2005), 26.

[22] Judith M. Bennett and C. Warren Hollister, Medieval Europe A Short History (New York, New York: McGraw Hill, 2005), 27.

[23] Saint Augustine. The Confessions of St. Augustine (Baker Book House, 2005), 126-129.

[24] Saint Augustine. The Confessions of St. Augustine (Bake Book House, 2005) 132-134.

[25] Molloy, Michael. Experiencing The World’s Religions (New York, New York: McGraw Hill Publishing, 2006) 379.

[26] Molloy, Michael. Experiencing The World’s Religions (New York, New York: McGraw Hill Publishing, 2006) 379.

[27] Saint Augustine. On Christian Beliefs. Edited by Boniface Ramsey. Hyde Park, New York: New City Press, 2005. 9.

[28] Saint Augustine. On Christian Beliefs. Edited by Boniface Ramsey. Introduction by Michael Fiedrowicz. Hyde Park, New York: New York City Press, 2005.

[29] Judith M. Bennett and C. Warren Hollister. Medieval Europe: A Short History (New York: New York: McGraw Hill, 2006), 14.

[30] Saint Augustine. On Christian Belief: Faith and the Creed. Translated by Michael G. Campbell, O.S.A. Hyde Park, New York: New York City Press, 2005. 166-167.

[31] Judith M Bennett and C. Warren Hollister. Medieval Europe: A Short History. (New York, New York: McGraw Hill, 2006), 14.

[32] Saint Augustine. The Confessions of St. Augustine. Grand Rapids, MI. Baker Book House, 2006. 22-23.

[33] Saint Augustine. On Christian Belief: The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Charity, translated by Bruce Harbert. Hyde Park, New York: New City Press, 2005. 289-290.

[34] Saint Augustine.

[35] James J. O’Donnell, Introduction: Life and Works of Saint Augustine, Augustine the African, http://www.ccat.sas.upenn.edu/jod/augustine.html (viewed August 30, 2007)