1. Saint Augustine’s ascent to God 1.Augustine film. 2.Main problem in Bk 7 & its solutions. 3.Steps to conversion. 4.Pelagian controversy. 5.Donatist controversy.

2. Augustine’s Confessions 1.What does the title mean? 2. Theme of “restless heart”. 3.How does Augustine describe his inner condition in Book III.1, 5? (p. 35-38) 4.What effect did ‘conversion of philosophy’ have upon him? (p. 39-40)

3. Discussion questions (class #2) What did the Manichees teach? Why did they attract Augustine initially? P. 111. What was the initial problem that Augustine struggled with in bk 7? What central problem occupied him on pp. 113-126?

4. Augustine’s solution: p. 126 (bottom)

5. Christianity & Platonism Similarities: p. 121 Differences p. 121, 131.

6. Who is Jesus? P. 128-129 (top) Augustine’ initial opinion P. 129. Alypius’ view

7. Stories and encounters leading to Augustine’s conversion 1.Pp. 136-8. Who was Victorinus? What was the impact of the story of his conversion upon Augustine? 2.Pp. 142-3 How did the story of Ponticianus impact Augustine? 3.Pp. 148-52. What was the final problem with which Augustine struggled before his baptism? 4.P. 151, bottom) What did Lady continence tell Augustine? 5.P. 152-3. What happened to Augustine in the famous ‘garden scene’? What decision did he make as a result?

8. Steps to conversion Sermons of bishop Ambrose in Milan (bk 6) Idea of God (bk 7) Problem of evil (bk 7) Church’s teaching about Jesus Conversion stories Garden experience (152-53) Ambrose of Milan