OPPapers.com

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine (354-430 AD), also known as Augustine of Hippo created an image of himself through his writings and teachings.   He was born in Tagaste, a town in North Africa, on November 13, 354 AD.   He was born into a middle class family.   Patricius, his father, was a pagan, but later converted to Christianity because of his wife, Monica, was a devout Christian.   Augustine's mother, who was devoted to the Roman Catholic church, constantly tried for her son's conversion.  
Augustine was educated as a lecturer in the former North African cities of Tagaste, Madaura, and Carthage.   The philosophical works of Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman speaker and politician, inspired Augustine to become a seeker after truth.   Augustine engaged restlessly in philosophical studies, and passed from one phase of thought to another, unable to find satisfaction.   From 373 until 382, in Carthage, he conformed to Manichaeism, a dualistic philosophy dealing with the conflict between good and evil.   This seemed to be the answer to the confusion in his own heart.   It solved the mysteries that confused him in his own experience.   After realizing that this philosophy wouldn't make a great ethical system, he abandoned this philosophy.   After being educated throughout North Africa, he left Carthage and in 384 found himself in Milan where he would pursue his career of a professor in rhetoric.   Also, in Milan he met and was influenced by the bishop, Ambrose.   With this, Augustine was attracted again to Christianity and was baptized by Ambrose in 387.   Augustine was also influenced by Platonism.   He than returned to North Africa where he became the bishop of Hippo in 391, a title he held until he died.
This great "Father of the Church," wrote a handbook on the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and love.   The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love was written in the year 420.   It is a brief handbook on the proper mode of serving God, through faith, hope, and love.   It is easy to say what...