The Confessions
INTRODUCTION Augustine's Confessions is not an autobiography in the literal sense, but is rather an autobiographical framework for a religious, moral, theological, and philosophical text1. Augustine explores the nature of God and sin within the context of a Christian man's life. The work can thus be viewed as both a discursive document and a subjective personal story. It is one of the most influential books in the Catholic religion, apart from the Bible.
Augustine wrote of his life and education up until the point of his conversion. After his conversion, he focused (as, he implies, a good Christian should) on understanding the major points of Catholic Christian doctrine. The early chapters recount his birth up to adulthood, but not in a typical, chronological fashion. Large sections of Augustine's life are left out, and critical figures are ignored or unnamed. Augustine did this because he wanted to focus only on the events in his life that led specifically to his conversion. He wished to show the reader his personal struggle to become a Christian, and how that struggle is a metaphor for all Christians' struggles.
Our fundamental aim in this essay will be to summarize the thirteen (13) books that make up St. Augustine s confession. BOOK I AND II -- EARLY LIFE AND ADOLESCENCE
Augustine begins Book I by praising the Lord and referring continually to Biblical passages of praise, especially the Psalms. He asks to know and understand the nature of God2, and how to pray and call upon him. Augustine is particularly interested in how God exists within the universe, and whether God is contained by the universe or if the universe contains God.
1 2
www.gradesaver.com/augustinesconfessions The Confessions as translated by Maria Boulding O.S.B. (New York: Vintage Spiritual Classics, 1997) p.3.
1|P ag e
Augustine then narrates how he grew up and learned the art of talking. He posited that he learned such a skill not by being taught, but rather from the
Augustine wrote of his life and education up until the point of his conversion. After his conversion, he focused (as, he implies, a good Christian should) on understanding the major points of Catholic Christian doctrine. The early chapters recount his birth up to adulthood, but not in a typical, chronological fashion. Large sections of Augustine's life are left out, and critical figures are ignored or unnamed. Augustine did this because he wanted to focus only on the events in his life that led specifically to his conversion. He wished to show the reader his personal struggle to become a Christian, and how that struggle is a metaphor for all Christians' struggles.
Our fundamental aim in this essay will be to summarize the thirteen (13) books that make up St. Augustine s confession. BOOK I AND II -- EARLY LIFE AND ADOLESCENCE
Augustine begins Book I by praising the Lord and referring continually to Biblical passages of praise, especially the Psalms. He asks to know and understand the nature of God2, and how to pray and call upon him. Augustine is particularly interested in how God exists within the universe, and whether God is contained by the universe or if the universe contains God.
1 2
www.gradesaver.com/augustinesconfessions The Confessions as translated by Maria Boulding O.S.B. (New York: Vintage Spiritual Classics, 1997) p.3.
1|P ag e
Augustine then narrates how he grew up and learned the art of talking. He posited that he learned such a skill not by being taught, but rather from the