One of the foremost Christian theologians whose thinking continues to exert a powerful influence in modern theology. Most people will know him through the fame of his two most well-known works, Confessions and City of God. His thinking laid the foundation for much of evangelical conceptions, especially, of "original sin," the Trinity, and predestination.
Augustine was born in 354. His early life was one of pleasure-seeking and debauchery; his mistress had borne him a son by the time he was eighteen. His spiritual pilgrimage took him into the arms of the Manichees, and then into philosophy. But his mother's prayers for him, and the friendship of Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, finally won him over to Christ. The story of his struggle with sin and journey into faith is told in Confessions.
In 426 Augustine finished the City of God, the result of thirteen years of work. The work was a "attempt at a philosophy of history, under the aspect of two rival cities or communities,—the eternal city of God and the perishing city of the world"; a vindication against the charge by pagans that the Christian religion was to blame for the sacking of Rome by the Goths under their king Alaric in 410.
Media Resources:
W. Robert Godfrey, A Survey of Church History, Part 11. Augustine. 23.48 mins. Ligonier.org. This is one of 72 lectures.
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Further Reading & Resources:
Ryan Reeves, "Who Was Augustine and Why Was He Important?" The Gospel Coalition May 25, 2016.
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Roy W. Battenhouse, "The Life of St. Augustine," A Companion to the Study of St. Augustine ed. by Roy W. Battenhouse (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1955; reprinted, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979), 15-56.
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Philip Schaff, The Confessions and Letters of St. Augustine, with a Sketch of his Life and Word (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series 1 Vol. 1; Christian Classics Ethereal Library).
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Duane W. H. Arnold & George Fry, "Augustine: A Pilgrimage of Grace," Ashland Theological Journal 20 (Winter 1989): 9-18.
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Nick Needham, "Augustine of Hippo: The Relevance of His Life and Thought Today," Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 12/2 (2008): 38-50.
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Rod Garner, "The Thought of St. Augustine," Churchman 104.4 (Winter 1990): 340-350.
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Louis Berkhof, History of Christian Doctrine. Abstract on Augustine's theology of sin and grace.
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"The Augustinian System: The Primitive State of Man, and Free Will," from Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church. Vol III: Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity, A.D. 311-600.
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