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A review by paperrhino
Confessions by Saint Augustine
3.0
Saint Augustine's Confessions is one of the most influential writings in the western canon. It is unique in that is is one of the only autobiographies that survives from the ancient world and the theology of Augustine has infused western Christianity. However, it is a difficult book to read.
The first part of the book consists of a retelling of key points in Augustine's life from birth through his eventual conversion. The decision as to which parts of his life to present I believe were driven primarily by Augustine's desire to make theological points. In particular the episodes of infancy, the stealing of the pears, and the baptism and death of his very close friend. His experiences with Manicheism also provides some hint as to some of his more strict points of theology presented in his other works, particularly in regards to sex.
The second part of the book is a philosophical and theological treatise on the origins of the universe as revealed by Genesis. This section reveals what expertise in rhetoric and argumentation Augustine possessed and I believe he was a formidable debater, intellectual, and philosopher. However, he does make some logical leaps in his arguments which I found to be less than satisfying. For example, he spends several pages discussing how he found sections in the writings of Mani which do not correspond with reality and his quest to have this error resolved ultimately lead him to conversion. However, when it comes time for him to really discuss the weaknesses in Manicheism he only focuses on the fact that it does not include Jesus. While this is understandable in a work which is primarily a confession of faith in Christianity, it does not adequately explain what it was about Manicheism that made him dissatisfied with it before he became a Christian. I can only surmise from the focus of the bulk of the book that Mani's explanations for the origins of the universe is the cause but Augustine never makes this clear.
Over all, I don't know if I would recommend this book to any but the most die hard readers of the western canon. I did not find it to be the most enjoyable read though I did find it interesting and enlightening for Augustine the man and an example of ancient rhetoric at work.
The first part of the book consists of a retelling of key points in Augustine's life from birth through his eventual conversion. The decision as to which parts of his life to present I believe were driven primarily by Augustine's desire to make theological points. In particular the episodes of infancy, the stealing of the pears, and the baptism and death of his very close friend. His experiences with Manicheism also provides some hint as to some of his more strict points of theology presented in his other works, particularly in regards to sex.
The second part of the book is a philosophical and theological treatise on the origins of the universe as revealed by Genesis. This section reveals what expertise in rhetoric and argumentation Augustine possessed and I believe he was a formidable debater, intellectual, and philosopher. However, he does make some logical leaps in his arguments which I found to be less than satisfying. For example, he spends several pages discussing how he found sections in the writings of Mani which do not correspond with reality and his quest to have this error resolved ultimately lead him to conversion. However, when it comes time for him to really discuss the weaknesses in Manicheism he only focuses on the fact that it does not include Jesus. While this is understandable in a work which is primarily a confession of faith in Christianity, it does not adequately explain what it was about Manicheism that made him dissatisfied with it before he became a Christian. I can only surmise from the focus of the bulk of the book that Mani's explanations for the origins of the universe is the cause but Augustine never makes this clear.
Over all, I don't know if I would recommend this book to any but the most die hard readers of the western canon. I did not find it to be the most enjoyable read though I did find it interesting and enlightening for Augustine the man and an example of ancient rhetoric at work.