Editorial Review

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Reviews (105)

Essential classic of world literature
This is a good translation of St Augustine's 'Confessions', one of the most important works of Christian and also world religious and philosophical thought.
Great Masterpiece
Augustine's _Confessions_ have really had no parallel in the history of biographical writing. This account of his life stands as one of the most beautifully written Latin texts ever. Augustine was a master of prose writing and even in translations his work comes very powerfully forth.
Best book ever.
This is the greatest book in Christendom other then the Bible.Period.This translation (from the Latin) is quite good.It is translated in the contemporary idiom but also keeps the beauty of Augustine's language.EVERYONE should read this book more then once in their life.Experience Augustine's "sober intoxication" with God's "sovereign joy"! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Augustine    2. Christianity - General    3. Christianity - Theology - General    4. Religion    5. Religion - Classic Works    6. Religious    7. Biography & Autobiography / Religious    8. Early Church    9. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    10. Religion & Theology | Philosophy of Religion    11. Saints & hagiography   

Editorial Review

Augustine's Read more

Reviews (29)

Finally, a good translation
Saint Augustine was one-of-a-kind. As an "Early Church Father" his impact upon Christianity is second only to Jesus and the Apostles. No one has been more prolific in their writing than the Bishop of Hippo. The City of God is a must read for anyone that possess the St.Augustine Prayer Book, and/or the Confessions. You need it to appreciate even more fully the spirituality of this saint. It helps one to understand more about why he said things the way he said them. I have given this book to high school seniors that have later considered a religious vocation. Should you get this book, my prayer for you is that the King of Glory will bless you as much as He blessed me in the reading. PAX, bb

St. Augustine's Writings
Excellent book of St. Augustine's writings, just what I wanted to read.

A Must Read!
This is a classic work of the Ancient Church. St. Augustine presents to us the Biblical view as to why things are the way they are. Beginning with Genesis 3:15 we have two cities in the world: the City of man and the City of God. These two cities exist together till the end of the world. He explains God's plan in all this and how those in the City of God must understand thier citizenship in the City of God and the definition of this city and all that God is doing in the City of God and what he is doing to and allowing in the City of man. Augustine follows Paul in his opening argument in Romans 1:18ff to Acts 17, this book is both an apologetic and a theology of the Christian faith. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apologetics    2. Augustine    3. Christianity    4. Christianity - General    5. Christianity - History - General    6. Christianity - Literature    7. Christianity - Theology - History    8. Early works to 1800    9. God    10. Kingdom of God    11. Literature: Classics    12. Philosophy    13. Religion - Classic Works    14. Religious    15. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    16. Religion / General   

Reviews (2)

What a slog...
Although this has been published as part of the "Cambridge Texts on Political Thought" series, it is only incidentally a political work. Its proper genre is Christian Apologetics - the reasoned defense of Christian belief. Should be the new standard
It is hard to find recent work on De Civitate Dei in English that does not use this newest edition and translation of probably Augustine's most influential work (if not his most readable).I am convinced that this will be the translation that will be used for the foreseeable future.An excellent rendering of the Latin original, wonderful introduction and copious notes.So clear and precise is the translation, and so helpful is the supporting scholarship, that one could conceivably come to this particular text of Augustine's work having no prior knowledge, and leave it with complete fluency.It is that good.For the full effect, get the 3 vols of the Loeb Classical Latin-English edition (the MacCracken-Greene translation is still very useful, though not in comparison to newer scholarship such as Dyson's) and work though the text yourself.I think that Augustine's Latin and Dyson's English match up well next to each other--this is a volume to own if you are contemplating any serious work with Augustine, or if you are just curious about what all the fuss over Augustine is about.A polemical, brilliant, controversial, and stimulating work, City of God is as good a place as any to introduce yourself to Augustine, and this is an excellent translation to use. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apologetics    2. Christianity - Theology - General    3. Early works to 1800    4. History & Theory - General    5. Kingdom of God    6. Religion    7. Religion - Theology    8. Christianity    9. History of ideas, intellectual history    10. Political Science / Reference   

Reviews (13)

Listen to the voices of Christian history...
The Legacy of Sovereign Joy is Book One of John Piper's series The Swans are Not Silent. Each book of the series (of which there is currently four) collects three of the biographical lectures Piper gave at the annual Bethlehem Conference for Pastors over the past two decades. When Augustine resigned as Bishop of Hippo it was said that the "swan is silent." Piper aims to show that the swans, those in our heritage of Christians throughout the centuries, are in fact not silent.
Concise but comprehensive
Concise but comprehensive might sound like a contradiction but I couldn't think of any other way to describe it. John Piper really introduced me to Jonathan Edwards, and between the two of them I would say that no other author has had as much of an impact upon me in the last few years as these two. Now Piper introduces us to Augustine, Luther, and Calvin also. This is the first book in a series of three and well worth the investment. I read it in my spare time in just 1 week, have the second book ready to go, but regret not purchasing the third at the same time. Piper's strength is not only in presenting one very compelling argument about the triumph of God's grace (or "Sovereign Joy"), but to do it by presenting numerous facets of the work of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin, which are easy to follow and understand, gives an excellent overview of their lives and ministries, and which leaves you wanting to (and feeling confident of being able to) read from the original sources. Every page was a gem. Be warned though, I got about 10 pages into the book then realised my mistake ... I should have read this book with a pencil and note pad in hand! There are so many great quotes from Augustine, Luther, and Calvin, not to mention Piper himself that you'll want to write some of them down to chew over later (or file away for sermon illustrations). This is an easy read and a great introduction the some major figures in church history, not to mention excellent food for the soul. In a day when people are so biblically illiterate as well as ignorant (or contemptible) of church history, this book demonstrates that our impoverishment is foolish and unnecessary. We need more books like this! I would have given it 6 stars if I could, simply on price, readability, and content alone.

Inspiration for New Christian Leaders
As you can see by the book's subtitle, this little book has three biographical pieces on well known historical Christians. Though most Christians know the names of these men, few know any more than that. So this book serves as a useful introduction to their lives and work.
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Subjects:  1. Augustine    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Character & Values    3. Christianity - History - General    4. Christianity - Theology - General    5. Faith    6. Luther, Martin    7. Religion    8. Religion - Church History   

Reviews (7)

Tough read....IMPORTANT concepts...
Any serious student of Western philosophy,theology or history of ideas must eventually confront this icon of Western thought and Church Father ultra non plus,St.Augustine of Hippo.The man is the West's first--premier--EXISTENTIAL psychologist.His response to "angst"(found in Intro to THE CONFESSIONS)is yet unsurpassed and probably unsurpassable:LORD WE WERE MADE FOR THEE...AND OUR HEARTS ARE FOREVER RESTLESS UNTIL THEY REST IN THEE.
excellent text for considering the impact of Christianity on Platonism and vice-versa
If you were looking for a significant and representative but introductory level medieval Christian philosophy text, you would be hard pressed to find one better than this.When I teach intro to philosophy, I often choose representative texts from the ancient, medieval, early Modern, and roughly contemporary periods.I start with Plato, either the Apology or the Meno or both.Then we read this book.Then Descartes' Meditations.Finally, we read something from Nietzsche, de Beauvoir, or from an early American philosopher (e.g. Thoreau).
Not St. Augustine's Best Work
St. Augustine's dialogue on free will is not worded for the layman.The rhetoric becomes so involved that one has to wonder if St. Augustine knew what he was writing at times.That being said, I will present as brief of a synopsis as possible.
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Subjects:  1. Early works to 1800    2. Free will and determinism    3. God    4. God (Christianity)    5. Omnipotence    6. Religion    7. Ancient Western philosophy to c 500    8. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    9. Topics in philosophy   

Subjects:  1. Augustine    2. Augustine,    3. Bible    4. Bible - General    5. Christianity - Catholicism    6. Christianity - Theology - Catholic    7. Criticism, interpretation, etc    8. Criticism, interpretation, etc.    9. Early Church (To 476)    10. Early church, ca. 30-600    11. History    12. Religion    13. Religion - Theology - Biblical    14. Saint, Bishop of Hippo   

Subjects:  1. Early works to 1800    2. General    3. History & Surveys - General    4. Philosophy    5. Philosophy of mind    6. Trinity    7. Augustine,--Saint, Bishop of Hippo--Influence    8. Nature & existence of God    9. Philosophy / General    10. Western philosophy, c 500 to c 1600   

Reviews (4)

Doctor's advice
St. Augustine's position as a Doctor of the Church is understandable, even after only reading parts of this terrific book! He really comes at a discussion of the Trinity in a logical fashion that appeals to hearts and experiences, not just minds!
Extremely informative
Having written my senior thesis on St. Augustine's concept of the Trinity, I found Fr. Hill's edition to be a great resource in my research of the subject. His introduction to the treatise is a must-read, providing a solid overview of Trinitarian history, reviewing some of the early heresies and disputes, and introducing us to Augustine's predecessors. This introduction is invaluable for any who wish to understand De Trinitate in the context with which it was written, as it offers a defense against criticisms placed upon it by later theologians.

Perhaps Augustine's most difficult work
Trinitarian theology is a difficult subject. Scriptural references are few and their meaning is not obvious - indeed, they can easily be read as contradictory. In fact, there is no explicit description of the Trinity in the scriptures at all - the orthodox view of the Trinity (three persons in one God) is an inferential conclusion from scripture that took generations to piece together. Having arrived at that conclusion, the next problem was to understand exactly what it meant - a problem difficult enough that many argued that it was simply a mystery the answer to which we might know in the next life but not this.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian Church    2. Christianity - History - Catholic    3. Christianity - History - General    4. Christianity - Theology - General    5. Religion    6. Religion - Theology    7. Theology    8. Theology (General)    9. Early Church    10. Nature & existence of God    11. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    12. Religion / Theology   

Reviews (2)

Augustine's Hermeneutics
One author has said that Augustine can be "easier to read than many modern books about him."Nowhere in his writings have I found this to be more true than "On Christian Doctrine."This little text was so compelling that I literally could not put it down (though that may reveal more about me than it).It essentially outlines Augustine's program of Hermeneutics which often contrasts strongly with standard methods of the periods before and after him, while remaining reminiscent of both eras.Some particular points of interest:
Good - if you like Augustine
I found this book to be a bit dated.It has some helpful advice, but it's been said much better and more understandably in other books.Much of it is a guide on how to read the Bible.However, I have many of Augustine's writings (and this is no exception) to be too metaphoircal and cryptic.That style is ok for some things, but it's no good for explaining something as practical as how to read the Bible.Also, it was (understandably) rather dry.For a better book on the same subject, I would suggest Fee & Stuart's "How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Catholic    2. General    3. Philosophy    4. Religion - Classic Works    5. Christian doctrinal theology    6. Philosophy / General   

Editorial Review

The traditional title for St. Augustine's classic devotional work Read more

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Riding the Augustine Channel

A travesty of Augustine's work
The absurdities produced by Wills' eccentric treatment of Augustine multiply like rabbits. One example: Wills insists on calling Augustine's son Adeodatus "Godsend" rather than Adeodatus. It is true that the etymology of the name roughly corresponds to "Godsend," but given the fact that almost every name in antiquity "meant something," this tick is supremely annoying. His translations are clunky to the extreme. He translates the classic line, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in you" (inquietum est cor nostrum donec requiescat in te) as "Our heart is unstable until stabilized in you."Read more

Subjects:  1. Algeria    2. Augustine    3. Augustine,    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Childhood and youth    7. Christian saints    8. Christianity - History - General    9. Christianity - Theology - General    10. Hippo (Extinct city)    11. Religion    12. Religious    13. Saint, Bishop of Hippo    14. Bargain   

Subjects:  1. Bible - Commentaries - Old Testament    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Christianity - History - General    4. Fathers Of The Church (Christianity)    5. Religion    6. Religion - Biblical Studies    7. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    8. Books of the Old Testament    9. Christian theology    10. Religion / General   

Reviews (1)

Augustine's Hermeneutics
One author has said that Augustine can be "easier to read than many modern books about him."Nowhere in his writings have I found this to be more true than "On Christian Doctrine."This little text was so compelling that I literally could not put it down (though that may reveal more about me than it).It essentially outlines Augustine's program of Hermeneutics which often contrasts strongly with standard methods of the periods before and after him, while remaining reminiscent of both eras.Some particular points of interest:
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Subjects:  1. Apologetics    2. Bible    3. Christianity - Theology - General    4. Criticism, interpretation, etc    5. Early church, ca. 30-600    6. Early works to 1800    7. History    8. Medieval    9. Philosophy    10. Religion    11. Religion - Church History    12. Theology    13. Christian theology    14. Early Church    15. Religion & Theology | Philosophy of Religion    16. Religion / Theology   

Subjects:  1. Augustine,    2. General    3. History & Surveys - Medieval    4. Philosophy    5. Political Science    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Saint, Bishop of Hippo    8. Ancient Rome    9. Augustine,--Saint, Bishop of Hippo--Contributions in political science    10. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    11. Political Science / Reference    12. Political science & theory   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Theology - Catholic    2. Christianity - Theology - General    3. Religion    4. Religion - Theology    5. Theology    6. Religion / Theology    7. Saints & hagiography   

Reviews (2)

Summary of much doctrine
This is an excellent book, both for the text itself by Augustine and the introduction to it.Augustine wrote the Enchiridion as a response to a friend who wanted a "handbook" of Christian teaching.Though not as engaging as his Confessions, it is well worth reading.Augustine covers topics such as baptism, original sin, abortion, faith and works, and election and focuses much on the grace of God.
"Brief Handbook of Augustinian Thought"
The theological insight propounded by Augustine, in his "Enchiridion"(Greeek for handbook),remains unparrelled when contrasted with the concise nature of this work. Augustine necessitated nearly all the creedal professions and beliefs of the Nicene Fathers with an uncanny brievity.As intended, then, for an educated Roman layman, the "Enchiridion," now, raises interest in those who come in contact with it today.Read more

Subjects:  1. Augustine    2. Christianity - Theology - Catholic    3. Christianity - Theology - General    4. Early works to 1800    5. Religion    6. Religion - Theology    7. Theology    8. Religion / Christianity   

Subjects:  1. Bible - Commentaries - Old Testament    2. General    3. Religion    4. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    5. Christianity    6. Religion / General   

Reviews (2)

Take and read!
Augustine's 'Confessions' is among the most important books ever written. One of the first autobiographical works in the modern sense, it also represents the first time a psychological and theological enterprise were combined. It also helps to bridge the gap between the Classical world and the Medieval world, exhibiting strong elements identifying with each of those major historical periods.
The best translation of St. Augustine's Confessions
Let me put it this way, and I quote another translator of this book, "You have not read 'Confessions' until you have read the Sheed translation." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Algeria    2. Augustine    3. Augustine,    4. Biography    5. Christian saints    6. Hippo (Extinct city)    7. Religion    8. Saint, Bishop of Hippo    9. The Bible   

Subjects:  1. Bible - Commentaries - Old Testament    2. General    3. Religion    4. Religion - Classic Works    5. Old Testament    6. Religion / General   

Reviews (1)

A splendid portrait of St. Augustine as teacher of the Faith
Review of Augustine and the Catechumenate William Harmless Augustine and the Catechumenate(Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1995). 406 pages with charts, index and bibliography. $34.95. St. Augustine: priest, bishop, theologian, doctor of the church, polemicist, apolo-gist, scholar-and catechist. Augustine is respected and loved by the Christian church for his many roles, but his role as a catechist has been the least well known, until now. Wil-liam Harmless has provided us with a magnificent portrait of Augustine the catechist. Harmless wrote this book to assist the Roman Catholic Church's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The RCIA was launched in 1972 by the Vatican thus "reversing a thousand years of initiatory practice and attitude" (p. 1). Harmless' operating assumption is that "if the Church has found itself increasingly renewed by the wisdom and richness of these ancient rituals and their underlying pastoral vision, then the Church might find itself similarly renewed by our gleaning the best from ancient styles of catechesis" (p. 25). The RCIA has been used with great effectiveness in many Roman Catholic parishes. It is basically an adoption of the early church's classic catechumenate process, as that process reached a high point in the fourth century. Harmless sets out to investigate one example of the ancient catechumenate: the catechumenate of St. Augustine of Hippo. The reason for this is simple. Augustine wrote a number of treatises on the subject of catechesis and the catechumenate; he is the only pa-tristic author from whom we have samples of each of the four stages of the ancient catechumenate; there are excellent critical editions of Augustine's works, both in the origi-nal language and in English; and finally, Harmless notes that within the past sixty years there have been many archeological and textual discoveries that offer much detailed infor-mation about Augustine and his Church in Hippo. Harmless organizes his book in a clear and orderly fashion, something that can not always be said of scholars' books. In addition to the book's excellent organization, Harm-less' writing style is very engaging. This book was a delight to read. This reviewer found it hard to put down, so interesting is Harmless' narrative descriptions of Augustine as preacher, catechist, exegete, pastor and church leader. Throughout the book Harmless of-fers direct quotes from Augustine's sermons, a major source of our knowledge of Augustine's catechetical method and content. His translation of Augustine's sermons is vivid, as was Augustine in the original. Harmless recounts how the congregation in Augustine's day was often swept up by the Bishop's masterful rhetoric, applauding, weeping, cheering or shouting out Bible verses as Augustine preached. Harmless' book will both complement and supplement other treatments of Augustine in English. Definitive studies include Van der Meer's Augustine the Bishop; Brown's Augustine of Hippo and Bonner's St. Augustine of Hippo . For the best, and most complete, translation of Augustine's sermons into English we have The Works of Saint Augustine(New City Press, 1995). In this collection of Augustine's sermons, translator Edmund Hill has captured the vividness of Augustine's oratory and relies on the best manuscripts available, and includes copius notes. Eventually, the project hopes to make available, for the first time, Augustine's complete writings in English. Those who know Augustine only through the Victorian English of theNicene and Post-Nicene Fatherscollection will be delighted by the New City Press edition of Augustine's works. Harmless traces Augustine's own catechetical experience under Ambrose of Milan and then takes a look at how Augustine approached each phrase of the classic catechumenate model: evangelization, catechumenate, candidate for Baptism (Lenten catechesis), and then post-Baptismal catechesis. In each section, Harmless masterfully il-lustrates how Augustine pulled out all the stops in his efforts to reach each catechumen. He especially focuses on Augustine the master orator, indicating how Augustine both used and ignored the classic rules of rhetoric in his catechetical work. For Augustine, reaching both the head and the heart was the goal, neither whipping up hearers into mindless emotional frenzy nor boring them to death with encyclopedic lectures on theological facts. Harmless does not gloss over the challenges faced by Augustine, or paint this as some sort of utopian era for the church. He makes it clear that Augustine grew frustrated with his congregations. Writing about the catechetical task, Augustine once rehearsed the catechumen's vices: "Those depraved persons who in mobs fill the churches in a bodily sense only: . . . drunkards, covetous, extortioners, gamblers, adulterers, fornicators, lov-ers of shows, wearers of idolatrous charms, soothsayers, astrologers, or diviners employ-ing vain and unholy arts" (p. 133). This was not a "pure church" - as if there ever was such a thing. Since we are not Donatists, we should not try to locate perfection in this fallen order either, or else we will become either self-righteous hypocrites or despairing pessi-mists. Harmless' shows us how one Christian theologian and teacher struggled with the all too human qualities of his congregation and continued to strive for uncompromising excel-lence in service of the Gospel. William Harmless has provided a true gem to the Christian church. He offers a very organized description of Augustine's catechetical work, in the process helping us to under-stand even more this great doctor of the church and how his genius for rhetoric was com-bined with his passion for teaching the Faith. Augustine would be pleased not only with what Harmless has to say, but how he has said it, and so will Harmless' readers. Paul T. McCain St. Louis, Missouri October 29, 1996 ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Algeria    2. Augustine    3. Augustine,    4. Bible - Biography - General    5. Catechumens    6. Christianity - History - Catholic    7. Christianity - Ritual & Practice    8. Church history    9. Hippo (Extinct city)    10. History    11. Religion    12. Religion - Classic Works    13. Saint, Bishop of Hippo    14. Biography: general    15. Contributions in work with catechumenate    16. Early Church   

Subjects:  1. Augustine    2. Augustine,    3. Early church, ca. 30-600    4. History    5. History: World    6. Mysticism    7. Saint, Bishop of Hippo