Introduction to the World, Life and Thought
ofSt. Augustine (A.D. 354-430)
CVSP 205 Oct.19, 2015
George Sabra
St Augustine in his study by Sandro Boticelli (1480)
Human happiness and dignity come from obedience to the universal law.
“Nothing can be good for a man unless it helps to make him just, self-disciplined, courageous and independent; and nothing bad unless it has the contrary effect.”
(Meditations Bk. 8)
Stoicism
Mithraism (Mithras was a Persian and Indian sun-god).
All creatures believed to have sprung from the bull which Mithras slew before ascending into heaven.
Initiation into its mysteries guaranteed a member immortality and blessedness.
Mystery Religions
Mani the prophet (ca. 216-276) A combination of Oriental, Persian and
Christian ideas and teachings Goal of religion: liberating man from the
chains of Satan and darkness which are embedded in the physical world
A dualistic interpretation of ultimate reality
Manichaeism
One God: All-Good, All-Powerful Creator out of Nothing Jesus: the presence of God among human
beings; perfect man and perfect God. Church: the community of believers in Jesus New Testament: the memory of Jesus, his
words and deeds, and the early community’s interpretation of his person and teachings
Trinity: One God in three real ways of being the same God: Father/Creator – Son/Savior – Spirit/Sanctifier
Christianity
Mani the prophet
Plato
Faith and Reason Western Christian mysticism Shaper of Catholicism and Protestantism Doctrine of “original sin” Synthesis of Plato and Christianity Discoverer of the subconscious? Anticipates
Freud
The Legacy of St. Augustine
Books I-IX: a form of autobiography until his mother’s death.
X-XIII: Augustine as expositor of the
Bible; Neoplatonic analysis of memory, time, creation,
exegesis of Genesis I
Structure of The Confessions
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