Saint Augustine of Hippo: Selections from Confessions and Other Essential Writings-Annotated & Explained

by Joseph T. Kelley, Saint Augustine, Joseph T. Kelley (Annotations)

Overview

The restless heart and searching mind of this influential early church father can offer spiritual and intellectual companionship for your spiritual journey.

Augustine of Hippo (354–430), theologian, priest, and bishop, is one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity. He is known as much for his long interior struggle that ended with conversion and baptism at age thirty-two as for his influential teachings on human will, original sin and the theology of just war. Cherished as a model for the pursuit of a life of spiritual grace and criticized for his theory of predestination, Augustine is recognized as a living expression of the passion to understand and communicate the deeper meanings of human experience.

With fresh translations drawn from Augustine's voluminous writings and probing facing-page commentary, Augustinian scholar Joseph T. Kelley, PhD, provides insight into the mind and heart of this foundational Christian figure. Kelley illustrates how Augustine’s keen intellect, rhetorical skill and passionate faith reshaped the theological language and dogmatic debates of early Christianity. He explores the stormy religious arguments and political upheavals of the fifth century, Augustine’s controversial teachings on predestination, sexuality and marriage, and the deep undercurrents of Augustine’s spiritual quest that still inspire Christians today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594732829
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	04/01/2010
Series:	SkyLight Illuminations
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	901,669
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Joseph T. Kelley, PhD, is founder of the Center for Augustinian Study and Legacy, associate professor in religious and theological studies, and former provost at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. As a board member of the Augustinian Heritage Institute (Villanova, Pennsylvania), he helps oversee a new English translation series of the complete works of Saint Augustine by New City Press. He is author of Faith in Exile: Seeking Hope in Times of Doubt, 101 Questions and Answers on Prayer, and 101 Questions and Answers on the Four Last Things.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Introduction xiii

A Note on the Translation xliii

Part 1 The Journey of Faith 1

Unquiet Hearts 3

Keep On Moving 5

Searching Minds 7

Faith Seeking Understanding 9

Doubt and Skepticism 13

The Will to Believe 15

Give Me Chastity-But Not Yet 17

The Will to Power 21

The Divided Will 23

Part 2 Through Sin to Grace 27

The Devil Made Me Do It 29

Our Sins Are Our Own 33

Original Sin 37

The Disorder in Sin 41

The Nature of Evil 45

Paralysis of Will 51

Saved by Grace: The Pelagian Controversy 55

Give What You Command 59

Conversion 63

Predestination 65

Reconsideration 67

Part 3 Intent upon God 69

Knowing God 71

Loving God 77

God as Trinity 81

Jesus Christ 85

The Holy Spirit 91

Loving One Another 97

Friendship 101

Community 109

The Church 113

The Donatists 121

The Sacraments 127

Ministry 131

Prayer 137

Part 4 While in the World 143

Creation 145

Concupiscence 151

Marriage 159

Women 165

Politics 171

Justice 177

War 187

Peace 195

Death 203

Suggestions for Further Study 211

Index of Texts 213

Editorial Reviews

"Rescues the eloquence and relevance of Saint Augustine for contemporary readers. This is a book for students, scholars—and any earnest seeker in search of a great companion."
—James Carroll, author, Practicing Catholic and Constantine's Sword

"An important contribution…. Combines both the technical expertise of an Augustine scholar and the communication skills that make his work appealing to [non-scholarly] readers. One can only hope that this book is the first of many on Saint Augustine to flow from Dr. Kelley's pen."
—Donald X. Burt, OSA, professor emeritus, Villanova University

“Becoming acquainted with Christianity necessarily entails encountering Saint Augustine. Joseph Kelley’s illuminating anthology is a compelling introduction to the ancient church’s most profound thinker.”
—Professor Jane E. Merdinger, Augustinian Heritage Institute; author, Rome and the African Church in the Time of Augustine

From the Publisher