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'''''Confessions''''' is a series of thirteen [[Autobiography|autobiographical]] books by [[Augustine of Hippo]], written between 397 and 398 [[Common Era|CE]]. In modern times, the books are usually published as a single volume.
The '''''Confessions''''' is a series of thirteen [[Autobiography|autobiographical]] books by [[Augustine of Hippo]], in about 400 [[Common Era|CE]]. In modern times, the books are usually published as a single volume.


The book tells of Augustine's youth and his conversion to [[Christianity]]. It is widely seen as the first Western autobiography ever written, and was an influential model for Christian writers throughout the [[Middle Ages]]. It is not a complete autobiography, as it was written when Augustine was in his early forties, and he lived for over thirty more years, during which he produced another important work (''[[City of God]]''); it does, however, provide an unbroken record of the evolution of his thought, and is the most complete record of any single individual from the fourth and fifth centuries.
The book tells of Augustine's youth and his conversion to [[Christianity]]. It is widely seen as the first Western autobiography ever written, and was an influential model for Christian writers throughout the [[Middle Ages]]. It is not a complete autobiography, as it was written when Augustine was about forty-six, and he lived for about thirty more years, during which he produced another important work (''[[City of God]]''); it does, however, provide an unbroken record of the evolution of his thought, and is the most complete record of any single individual from the fourth and fifth centuries.


The ''Confessions'' is also a significant theological work. In it, Augustine talks about how much he regrets having led a sinful and immoral life, being a [[Manichaeism|Manichaeism]], and believing in [[astrology]].  he relates the processes and influences that led him to change his mind on these and other matters, including his eventual conversion to the [[Christianity|Christian]] faith of his mother. He describes his regret concerning his youthful sexual behaviour.  
The ''Confessions'' is also a significant theological work. In it, Augustine talks about how much he regrets having led a sinful and immoral life, being a [[Manichaeism|Manichaeism]], and believing in [[astrology]].  he relates the processes and influences that led him to change his mind on these and other matters, including his eventual conversion to the [[Christianity|Christian]] faith of his mother. He describes his regret concerning his youthful sexual behaviour.  


==Themes of the books==
==Themes of the books==
# His infancy and boyhood up to the age of fourteen.
# His infancy and boyhood up to the age of fourteen.  The sins of his childhood and youth, and his preference for sprt over study.  Thoughts on the education of children.
# His fall amongst bad companions, which led him to commit theft and succumb to lust.
# His fall amongst bad companions at the age of sixteen, leading to theft and lust.
# His studies at [[Carthage]], his conversion to Manichaeism and continued indulgence in lust between the ages of sixteen and nineteen.
# His studies at [[Carthage]]; his impure love. His conversion to Manichaeism, with discussion of Manichaean teachings.
# His loss of a friend and his studies of [[Aristotle]] between the ages of twenty and twenty-nine.
# His misleading of others.  He becomes Professor of Rhetoric.  His friend's death, and his grief. His studies of [[Aristotle]] between the ages of twenty and twenty-nine.  Thoughts on astrology.  His first book.
# His move away from Manichaeism under the influence of [[Ambrose]] in Milan at the age of twenty-nine.
# Criticism of Manichaean teaching on science.  He moves to Rome. Academic philosophy. He meets [[Ambrose]] in Milan.
# His move towards [[Catholicism]] under the influence of Ambrose at the age of thirty.
# His move away from Manichaeism and towards [[Catholicism]], leaving him temporarily neither. On [[celibacy]]; on a wife being sought for him.  On the immortality of the soul.
# His move towards a greater understanding of God at the age of thirty-one.
# His idea of God.  [[Nebridius]]' argument against manichaeism.  Free will as the cause of sin; the origin of evil.  His rejection of astrology.  He encounters [[Platonism]]; the relationship between Platonisn and Christianity.
# His conversion to Christianity at the age of thirty-two, and his instruction by [[Simplicianus]] on how to convert others.
# On the conversion of sinners.  His experience in the garden.  The combat of flesh and spirit. His conversion to Christianity at the age of thirty-two, and his instruction by [[Simplicianus]] on how to convert others.
# His baptism when he was thirty-three, the death of his mother, [[Monica of Hippo|Monica]], and of his friends Nebridius and Vecundus; his abandonment of his [[rhetoric]]al studies.
# On the goodness of God.  He resigns his Professorship, and moves to Cassiciacum; the books he writes there. His baptism at Milan when he was thirty-three. About the life of his mother, [[Monica of Hippo|Monica]], and of her death and the deaths of his friends Nebridius and Vecundus..
# Continued reflections on the values of confessions and on the workings of memory, as related to the five senses.
# The object and value of this book.  The workings of memory, as related to the five senses. Knowledge of mathematics.
# Reflections on the biblical book of [[Genesis]] and searching for the meaning of [[time]].
# Reflections on the biblical book of [[Genesis]], and searching for the meaning of [[eternity]] and [[time]].  The measurement of time, errors about time, and the solution.
# Continued reflections on the book of Genesis.
# Continued reflections on the book of Genesis.
# Exploration of the meaning of Genesis and the [[Trinity]].
# Exploration of the meaning of Genesis and the [[Trinity]].  The Fall of [[angel]]s and human beings.    The goodness of creation.


==References==
==References==
* {{cite book | author=[[Rex Warner]] | title=The Confessions of St. Augustine | location=New York | publisher=Penguin Books| year=1963 | id=ISBN 0-451-62474-2}}  (English translation)
* {{cite book | author=[[Rex Warner]] | title=The Confessions of St Augustine | location=New York | publisher=Penguin Books| year=1963 | id=ISBN 0-451-62474-2}}  (English translation)
* {{cite book | author=[[Tobie Matthew]] | title=The Confessions of St Augustine | location=London | publisher=Burns & Oates| year=1954 | id=}}  (English translation, revised and emended by [[Roger Hudleston]])
 
==See also==
*[[Confessions (Rousseau)]]


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 15:19, 11 February 2007

The Confessions is a series of thirteen autobiographical books by Augustine of Hippo, in about 400 CE. In modern times, the books are usually published as a single volume.

The book tells of Augustine's youth and his conversion to Christianity. It is widely seen as the first Western autobiography ever written, and was an influential model for Christian writers throughout the Middle Ages. It is not a complete autobiography, as it was written when Augustine was about forty-six, and he lived for about thirty more years, during which he produced another important work (City of God); it does, however, provide an unbroken record of the evolution of his thought, and is the most complete record of any single individual from the fourth and fifth centuries.

The Confessions is also a significant theological work. In it, Augustine talks about how much he regrets having led a sinful and immoral life, being a Manichaeism, and believing in astrology. he relates the processes and influences that led him to change his mind on these and other matters, including his eventual conversion to the Christian faith of his mother. He describes his regret concerning his youthful sexual behaviour.

Themes of the books

  1. His infancy and boyhood up to the age of fourteen. The sins of his childhood and youth, and his preference for sprt over study. Thoughts on the education of children.
  2. His fall amongst bad companions at the age of sixteen, leading to theft and lust.
  3. His studies at Carthage; his impure love. His conversion to Manichaeism, with discussion of Manichaean teachings.
  4. His misleading of others. He becomes Professor of Rhetoric. His friend's death, and his grief. His studies of Aristotle between the ages of twenty and twenty-nine. Thoughts on astrology. His first book.
  5. Criticism of Manichaean teaching on science. He moves to Rome. Academic philosophy. He meets Ambrose in Milan.
  6. His move away from Manichaeism and towards Catholicism, leaving him temporarily neither. On celibacy; on a wife being sought for him. On the immortality of the soul.
  7. His idea of God. Nebridius' argument against manichaeism. Free will as the cause of sin; the origin of evil. His rejection of astrology. He encounters Platonism; the relationship between Platonisn and Christianity.
  8. On the conversion of sinners. His experience in the garden. The combat of flesh and spirit. His conversion to Christianity at the age of thirty-two, and his instruction by Simplicianus on how to convert others.
  9. On the goodness of God. He resigns his Professorship, and moves to Cassiciacum; the books he writes there. His baptism at Milan when he was thirty-three. About the life of his mother, Monica, and of her death and the deaths of his friends Nebridius and Vecundus..
  10. The object and value of this book. The workings of memory, as related to the five senses. Knowledge of mathematics.
  11. Reflections on the biblical book of Genesis, and searching for the meaning of eternity and time. The measurement of time, errors about time, and the solution.
  12. Continued reflections on the book of Genesis.
  13. Exploration of the meaning of Genesis and the Trinity. The Fall of angels and human beings. The goodness of creation.

References

See also

External links