St. Augustine of Hippo was a singular figure who stood in
the gap between a dying Classical world and what would come to be called the Middle
Ages. His thinking would help shape the Christian world for the next 1000 years,
yet is still as vital and controversial today as ever.
He will help advance our thinking about the nature of church
and salvation. He is equally celebrated by Protestants and Catholics. But his
impact doesn’t stop at spirituality – it will extend into psychology and
philosophy
St. Augustine may be considered the first Modern thinker. Much
of Western civilization’s conception of self will be informed by him. His life
is captured for us in an autobiography that pulls no punches. He sees in
himself the great battle that all humanity contends with.
This lesson will be split into two segments. The first part
will look at his life – the major events that helped form him. The second will
look at the Theological positions he held. Looking at his life first will make
clearer the positions he later took on doctrinal issues and in his writings.
Remember: theology is biography.
White Board
Lecture Recording (1:12:38; 66.5 MB)
Additional Resources
Resource | URL | Description |
Augustine of Hippo: A Life | Click Here | Great short biography |
The Confessions of Saint Augustine | Click Here | Great autobiography |