Book Review: Saint Augustine's Confessions
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- rahunter_nf
- StCatherine
- BrAelredBernard
- stevo5551
- StCatherine
- stevo5551
- eukaryote
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» rahunter_nf - The Confessions
Kathryn, reading your article brought back memories of my own readings of Augustine's The Confessions.I first read The Confessions as a young man in the course of doing readings in Encyclopedia Britannica's Great Books of the Western World guided by its The Great Ideas Program. I enjoyed reading Augustine's account of his ups and downs in his relationship with God but didn't really appreciate the more philosophical parts of the book.
I last read The Confessions a few years ago as part of my daughter Allison's (Friendship) and my shared reading of Christian classics. Her reaction to it seemed to be much like my initial reaction to it.
Between those two complete readings of The Confessions, I occasionally read parts of it and came to appreciate all of it although still not enjoying all parts equally well.
-- posted by rahunter_nf
» StCatherine - Re: The Confessions
In response to message posted by rahunter_nf:The variety of material Augustine presents is so varied it is hard to appreciate all of it at any given time in our lives. Most books don't include life events, Biblical commentary, with philosophical and theological differences of the time.
Its quite a roller coaster ride of a read.
-- posted by StCatherine
» BrAelredBernard - In appreciation
Dear all,I thing blessed Augustine says it all in the first paragraph and I'll paraphrase, "our souls are restless until they find their rest in God."
In peace,
Aelred
-- posted by BrAelredBernard
» StCatherine - Re: Question
In response to message posted by stevo5551:I doubt if the attribution to St. Augustine is correct. It's not in the Confessions and I have failed to see that mentioned in any books about him that I have read. That's an interesting statement and I don't think authors would have failed to make comments on it if St. Augustine had said that.
He did give up his mistress with great sorrow. They were very devoted to each other - she wasn't just someone that he "used." I can't remember her name, but she felt that Augustine was "the one" for her and lived a celibate life after their "break-up" also.
St. Augustine was very enthusiastic about not letting ANYTHING stand between you and God. He wrote about the foolishness of loving earthly things in such a way that could possibly hinder your entrance into the glories of Heaven. If he did make such a statement, the sentiment was short-lived as he grew in his Christian studies and practice of what he learned from those studies.
-- posted by StCatherine
» stevo5551 - Re: Re: Question
In response to message posted by StCatherine:Thanks for your response. I do remember after losing a close friend he said that one should not pursue earthly objects because they are all perishable. He offered this advise for the attainment of Heaven and to mitigate the suffering and mental anguish here on earth. Perhaps I am wrong about the author of that statement.
-- posted by stevo5551
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