Lecture 5 Books VII and VIII Dr. Ann T. Orlando

Books VII and VIII Historical context Reading the Text Influence

Historical Context Platonism Theodicy (again) Christology Simplicianus and Victorinus St. Antony of Egypt Paul’s Letter to Romans

Confessions Structure Augustine's Reflection on His Past Book I: From God; birth and relationship of infant with mother –Book II: Bondage of Flesh Book III: Slavery of eyes and mind; problem of evil –Book IV Ambition of World »Book V Encounter with Faustus, Manichaeism, philosophy; moving from Carthage to Rome –Book VI: Recognition of emptiness of world’s ambition Book VII: Freedom of mind; resolution of problem of evil –Book VIII: Liberation from bondage of flesh Book IX: Relation to Monica, her death, return to God Augustine’s Present Book X: Memory Book XI: Time Book XII: Interpreting Scripture Book XIII: Trinity and Church

Book VII Outline God’s nature VII.1.1 – VII.2.3 The nature of evil VII.3.4 – VII.5.7 Rejecting astrology VII.6.8 – VII.6.10 Moving toward the Church VII.7.11 – VII.8.12 Help from Platonists VII.9.13-VII Resolving the problem of evil VII – VII What the Platonist lack: Jesus Christ VII – VII.21.27

Book VIII Outline Learning the Christian way from others VIII.1.1 – VIII.4.9 Internal struggles of the will to follow the Truth VIII.5.10 – VIII.5.12 Example of St. Antony of Egypt VIII.6.13 – VIII.6.15 More internal struggles VIII.7.16 – VIII Take and Read VIII – VIII.12.30

Influence Definition of Evil Pelagins