1. Augustine Converts to Christianity 386
By Kurt Herrin

2. Basic Facts Who-Augustinus Aurelius born in 354 in Tagaste
Devout Christian mother named Monica
Pagan father named Patricius was a Roman official
What-studied rhetoric(persuasive speech)in Carthage
Reading Latin authors such as Cicero convinced him that truth is life’s supreme goal
He saw Christianity as a religion for the simple-minded

3. Basic Facts In his teens he took a mistress who bore him a son
He embraced Manichaeism but when a teacher failed to answer his questions he turned to Neoplatonism
He moved from Carthage to Rome to Milan
He eventually became baptized and became a bishop
Where- Milan
When- Easter Eve in 387
Why-He was looking for truth
How-Ambrose baptized him

4. Saint Augustine painting by Antonio Rodríguez

5. Importance
Wrote books like City of God, On the Trinity, and Confessions
His thoughts were used by both Catholic and Protestant theologians
Luther and Calvin liked his emphasis on God’s grace and quoted his constantly
He believed heavily in God’s grace
He thought the church was one and had no rival churches