Book Review: Augustine of Hippo by Peter Brown

Besides his literary contributions of general Christian interest, much of Augustine's writings had to do with fighting the heresies. I was much impressed with the intensity of the heretical movements Augustine had to deal with the Manichees and Donatists. The situation in Northern Africa, during his time, was comparable to the violence suffered now in the same region among those of different beliefs.

Much of Augustine's time as a bishop was spent in acting as a judge, as was the custom of the time. The "philosopher" soul of Augustine must have been much troubled to have spent so much dealing with small and large controversies. Despite, or perhaps, because of his adult life being spent dealing with serious controversies, Augustine made significant contributions to the Church and history besides his writings. According to Brown, it was Augustine who established a pattern of Catholic priests being "separate" from the laity. Augustine had loved being a teacher and brought the same "school" ideas to the priest-hood. He had as many as possible of his priest living and studying communally separate from the community.

Also, Brown explains how Augustine "secularied" the pagan past. He removed elements of paganism from being thought of as a "religion" and moved them to being thought of as part of "culture," part of human habits that were actually psychologically healthy.

Augustine's last ten days of life were a surprise to me. A man who had surrounded himself with students, priests, and friends all of his life, chose to spend the end alone in prayer. I would have thought he would have wanted to had last goodbyes with the people he had loved to share with so much during his life.

Brown's biography of Augustine is a gift to scholars, as well as, a collection of information from other sources. He achieves his goal and educates his reader, at least, this one.

St. Augustine's Feast Day: August 28

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