Augustine’s Confessions: A Summary

1. Introduction

Augustine is one of the key scholars and developers of the Christian concepts and laws. He was born in Africa in 354 AD, in a family of Christians. His father, patrician, was a pagan, but his mother, Monica, was a Christian. Augustine received a good education: first he studied at home, then he was sent to Madauros to study rhetoric, and finally – to Carthage, where he began to study philosophy.

In Carthage, Augustine became acquainted with the heretical sect of the Manichaeans, which had a great influence on him. He was attracted by the beauty of their teaching, which seemed to him more consistent and logical than the teaching of the Church. From the Manichaeans Augustine passed to skepticism and then to Neo-Platonism. The ideas of Neo-Platonism had a great influence on the further development of Augustine’s thought.

In 383 Augustine left Africa and went to Rome, where he became acquainted with Ambrose, the bishop of Milan. Ambrose made a strong impression on Augustine and under his influence he gradually began to move away from skepticism and Neo-Platonism and came closer to Christianity. In 386 Augustine experienced a serious spiritual crisis: he realized that his life was empty and meaningless. At this time he read the book “Confessions” by St. Ambrose, which somehow influenced him. One night Augustine had a vision in which he heard a voice saying: “Take up and read.” He took up the first book that came to hand – it turned out to be the Gospel – and read the text in which Jesus says: “Go, sell all you have and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old.” (Luke 12: 33). These words made a strong impression on Augustine and helped him make a decision – to become a Christian. In 387 Augustine was baptized by Ambrose in Milan and soon returned to Africa.

In 391 Augustine was ordained a priest in Hippo Regius (now Annaba), Algeria, and in 395 – a bishop. During his stay in Hippo Regius, Augustine wrote many works on theology, apologetics, spirituality, philosophy, etc., the most famous of which is “Confessions”. In 430 Hippo Regius was besieged by Vandals; during the siege, Augustin died (28 August 430).

2. Augustine’s Confession

The work “Confessions” is considered one of Augustine’s most important works; it played an important role in the development of Western spiritual literature. In this work Augustine tells about his life before baptism (up to 35 years) and about his innermost thoughts and feelings during this period. “Confession” consists of 13 books; each book begins with prayers addressed to God or quotes from Scripture. The action takes place mainly in two planes:
– The first plane is external events that occurred in Augustine’s life;
– The second plane is events taking place in Augustine’s soul (his thoughts, feelings, desires).
The main idea of ??the work is expressed in its title: all people are sinners who need God’s forgiveness; only by accepting Christ as their Savior can they achieve salvation (release from sin) and find true happiness. This idea permeates all 13 books of “Confession”. Books 1-9 are devoted to Augustine’s life before baptism, and books 10-13 – to his life after baptism.

The first nine books of “Confession” are permeated by the mood of repentance and self-accusation. Augustine sincerely regrets his past sins, realizes his helplessness before God, and believes that it is only by the grace of God that he can be saved from damnation. The last four books are permeated by the mood of hope and gratitude to God. Augustine thanks God for His mercy, for His help in achieving salvation.

3. Augustine and His Achievement

Augustine is one of the most famous and respected Christian thinkers. He made a great contribution to the development of Christian thought, especially in the areas of understanding of human nature, free will, original sin and grace. Augustine’s ideas had a great influence on the development of Western Christian thought and culture.

One of Augustine’s most important achievements is the development of the doctrine of original sin. According to this doctrine, all people are born sinners because they inherit the sin of Adam, the first man. This sin passed down from generation to generation; it can not be removed by any human efforts. Only God’s grace can save a person from damnation. This doctrine had a great influence on the development of Western Christianity and culture.

Augustine also developed the doctrine of predestination, according to which all events in a person’s life are predetermined by God. This doctrine had a great impact on the development of Protestantism in the 16th century.

4. Conclusion

Augustine is one of the most important figures in the history of Christianity. He made a great contribution to the development of Christian thought, especially in the areas of understanding of human nature, free will, original sin and grace. Augustine’s ideas had a great influence on the development of Western Christian thought and culture.

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