CVSP 205 October 22, 2018 George Sabra Introduction to the World, Life and Thought of St. Augustine (A.D. 354-430) CVSP 205  October 22, 2018 George Sabra

St Augustine in his study by Sandro Boticelli (1480)

Stoicism Human happiness and dignity come from obedience to the universal law. “Nothing can be good for a man unless it helps to make him just, self-disciplined, courageous and independent; and nothing bad unless it has the contrary effect.” (Meditations Bk. 8)

Mystery Religions Mithraism (Mithras was a Persian and Indian sun-god). All creatures are believed to have sprung from the bull which Mithras slew before ascending into heaven. Initiation into its mysteries guaranteed a member immortality and blessedness.

Manichaeism Mani the prophet (ca. 216-276) A combination of Oriental, Persian and Christian ideas and teachings Goal of religion: liberating the human being from the chains of Satan and darkness which are embedded in the physical world A dualistic interpretation of ultimate reality

Christianity One God: All-Good, All-Powerful Creator out of nothing Jesus: the presence of God among human beings; perfect man and perfect God. Church: the community of believers in Jesus New Testament: the memory of Jesus, his words and deeds, and the early community’s interpretation of his person and teachings Trinity: One God in three real ways of being the same God: Father/Creator – Son/Savior – Spirit/Sanctifier

St. Augustine

Cicero

Mani the prophet

Plato

Jesus the Christ

The Bible Text of the Conversion “Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”(Paul’s Epistle to the Romans:13:11-14)

The Legacy of St. Augustine Faith and Reason Western Christian mysticism Shaper of Catholicism and Protestantism Doctrine of “original sin” Synthesis of Plato and Christianity Discoverer of the subconscious? Anticipates Freud?

First Autobiography in the Greco-Roman World? Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (A.D. 121-180) -Never exposes weakness -example of the heroic ideal -a textbook of virtue Confessions (Augustine) -simply conveys the truth about himself - a fresh and vivid record of his personal and inner life An honest portrayal of the good and the evil in oneself

Structure of The Confessions Books I-IX: a form of autobiography until his mother’s death. X-XIII: Augustine as expositor of the Bible; Neoplatonic analysis of memory, time, creation, exegesis of Genesis I