First Look
Who Was Augustine?
Aurelius Augustinus, known to us now as St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, was one of the world's most influential persons. He was born in 354 in Roman North Africa. Trained in rhetoric, he taught the discipline in Milan until his conversion to Christianity in 386. In 391 he became a priest, and then the bishop of Hippo in 395. As bishop, he judged civil cases, preached sermons, and wrote theological treatises until his death in 430. [full biography]
Why does Augustine matter?
Introductory Materials
1. Encyclopedia Articles
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Augustine Through The Ages - (a whole encyclopedia devoted to Augustine) Villanova University access
2. Introductory Books
Augustine and His World by Andrew Knowles and Pachomios Penkett
Augustine of Hippo: A Life by Henry Chadwick
Aurelius Augustinus, known to us now as St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, was one of the world's most influential persons. He was born in 354 in Roman North Africa. Trained in rhetoric, he taught the discipline in Milan until his conversion to Christianity in 386. In 391 he became a priest, and then the bishop of Hippo in 395. As bishop, he judged civil cases, preached sermons, and wrote theological treatises until his death in 430. [full biography]
Why does Augustine matter?
- Theologians regard Augustine as the most important ancient figure for Western Christendom. He contributed to the doctrines of the Trinity, the church, the sacraments, free will, predestination, grace, and original sin.
- Philosophers study Augustine for his views on the soul, his theory of language, his political theory, and his articulation of just war theory.
Introductory Materials
1. Encyclopedia Articles
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Augustine Through The Ages - (a whole encyclopedia devoted to Augustine) Villanova University access
2. Introductory Books
Augustine and His World by Andrew Knowles and Pachomios Penkett
Augustine of Hippo: A Life by Henry Chadwick