1. Unit 7: St. Augustine of Hippo Aim: to focus on the life of Augustine and primarily his most defining works, the Confessions and the City of God

2. St. Augustine: major themes 1. Search for happiness is not easy…1. Search for happiness is not easy… 2. Struggle as an adolescent to believe in God and live a virtuous life…2. Struggle as an adolescent to believe in God and live a virtuous life… 3. Virtue as character strengths that develop over time…3. Virtue as character strengths that develop over time… 4. Sexuality and holiness = can we bridge the two?4. Sexuality and holiness = can we bridge the two?

3. Augustine’s early life Born in North AfricaBorn in North Africa Father was a local Roman official, and his mother, Monica, was a Christian.Father was a local Roman official, and his mother, Monica, was a Christian. Very smart as a child = but at 16 had to leave school because of monetary issues.Very smart as a child = but at 16 had to leave school because of monetary issues. What would you do if there was no school? No supervision?What would you do if there was no school? No supervision?

4. Manichaeism: What is this?? One god created good and one god created evil = struggle between good and evil…One god created good and one god created evil = struggle between good and evil… But this dualism was dissatisfying for Augustine…he felt that understanding RELATIONSHIP could be an answer…But this dualism was dissatisfying for Augustine…he felt that understanding RELATIONSHIP could be an answer…

5. Enter: “Plato” Augustine wanted to get at UNITY amid the CHAOSAugustine wanted to get at UNITY amid the CHAOS For the Platonist: The world exists beyond what we see = humans have a spiritual component beyond their bodies…For the Platonist: The world exists beyond what we see = humans have a spiritual component beyond their bodies… Body is limited – but the goal is to STRIVE FOR UNITY! STRIVE FOR THE ONE = GOD!Body is limited – but the goal is to STRIVE FOR UNITY! STRIVE FOR THE ONE = GOD! How was Augustine in “chaos?”How was Augustine in “chaos?” How does the concept of relationship fit in here?How does the concept of relationship fit in here? Maybe an answer was that God exists/is related to us within this spiritual component…Maybe an answer was that God exists/is related to us within this spiritual component…

6. St. Augustine: A Man’s Search for Meaning… Within the inner self, the spiritual realm of Augustine himself, he finds the truth (veritas)Within the inner self, the spiritual realm of Augustine himself, he finds the truth (veritas) God is present = he comes to realize that he can “rest” knowing that loving God can correct his confusionGod is present = he comes to realize that he can “rest” knowing that loving God can correct his confusion Orientation toward UNITY = toward the ONE (for the Platonist) and this one is GOD!!!Orientation toward UNITY = toward the ONE (for the Platonist) and this one is GOD!!! Augustine’s Heart turns from lust toward God = fire/passion/desire for God, not bodily pleasures.Augustine’s Heart turns from lust toward God = fire/passion/desire for God, not bodily pleasures.

7. What event caused this change of heart? Heard children saying, “Take and read, take and read…”Heard children saying, “Take and read, take and read…” So he picked up the Bible and turned to a page at Random = opened to Paul’s Letter to the Romans (13:13- 14: 14:1) – Read in class…(Koch 81)So he picked up the Bible and turned to a page at Random = opened to Paul’s Letter to the Romans (13:13- 14: 14:1) – Read in class…(Koch 81) Answer to the confusion = “serving God” = elected as bishop of Hippo.Answer to the confusion = “serving God” = elected as bishop of Hippo.

8. Augustine’s Need to Confess… His failures/weaknesses made him aware of his need for God and more sensitive to others.His failures/weaknesses made him aware of his need for God and more sensitive to others. Scriptures gave him a guide, and the love of God gave him inspiration.Scriptures gave him a guide, and the love of God gave him inspiration. “Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until they rest in you...” “Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until they rest in you...” And the writing of the Confessions begins…focused on the inner self!And the writing of the Confessions begins…focused on the inner self! Is this quest for an inner conversion similar to the goal of the monastic?Is this quest for an inner conversion similar to the goal of the monastic?

9. “The Confessions” Augustine drank, visited prostitutes, gambled…he needed to change!Augustine drank, visited prostitutes, gambled…he needed to change! And so he comes to realize that virtue is rooted in the love of God = thus rooted in relationship!And so he comes to realize that virtue is rooted in the love of God = thus rooted in relationship! And so he writes his “confessions” in the style of a conversation/dialogue with God. (i.e. “O’ Lord…”)And so he writes his “confessions” in the style of a conversation/dialogue with God. (i.e. “O’ Lord…”)

10. Book II: “Adolescence” Chapter I : concept of “recollection” = remembering the wickedness of his childhood.Chapter I : concept of “recollection” = remembering the wickedness of his childhood. What does it mean for Augustine to re-collect?What does it mean for Augustine to re-collect? Memories may indicate unity = the events of his life meant something = purpose!Memories may indicate unity = the events of his life meant something = purpose! Realized that God had a plan for him…the memory of his past sins allows him to examine his life in light of his awareness of God as love.Realized that God had a plan for him…the memory of his past sins allows him to examine his life in light of his awareness of God as love. God wasn’t separate from him!!God wasn’t separate from him!!

11. Book II: “Adolescence” Chapter IV: concept of “desiring the sin itself…”Chapter IV: concept of “desiring the sin itself…” Not hungry nor thirsty…Not hungry nor thirsty… But a “contempt for well doing…”But a “contempt for well doing…” The story of the “pears”…why is this important?The story of the “pears”…why is this important?