Saint Augustine Essay -- Biography Biographies Augustine Essays

Saint Augustine Saint Augustine (354-430 AD), also known as Augustine of Hippo created an image of himself through his writings and teachings. He was born in Tagaste, a town in jointure Africa, on November 13, 354 AD. He was born into a middle class family. Patricius, his father, was a pagan, but afterwards converted to Christianity because of his wife, Monica, was a devout Christian. Augustines mother, who was devoted to the Roman Catholic church, constantly tried for her sons conversion. Augustine was educated as a lecturer in the precedent North African cities of Tagaste, Madaura, and Carthage. The philosophical works of Marcus Tullius Cicero, a Roman speaker and politician, inspired Augustine to become a seeker after truth. Augustine engaged restlessly in philosophical studies, and passed from one phase of thought to another, unable to find satisfaction. From 373 until 382, in Carthage, he conformed to Manichaeism, a dualistic philosophy dealing with the conflict between inte lligent and evil. This seemed to be the answer to the confusion in his own heart. It solved the mysteries that confused him in his own experience. After realizing that this philosophy wouldnt make a enceinte ethical system, he abandoned this philosophy. After being educated throughout North Africa, he left Carthage and in 384 found himself in Milan where he would stick with his c areer of a professor in rhetoric. Also, in Milan he met and was influenced by the bishop, Ambrose. With this, Augustine was attracted again to Christianity and was baptized by Ambrose in 387. Augustine was also influenced by Platonism. He than returned to North Africa where he became the bishop of Hippo in 391, a title he held until he died. This great Father of the Church, wrote a handbook on the three theological virtues faith, hope, and love. The handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love was written in the year 420. It is a brief handbook on the proper mode of serving God, through faith, hope, and love. It is easy to show what one ought to believe, what to hope for, and what to love. But to defend our doctrines against the slander of those who think differently is a more difficult and detailed task. If one is to have this wisdom, it is not sufficiency just to put an enchiridion in the hand. It is also necessary that a great eagerness be in the heart. Saint Augustine says that God created all things good. In Chapter XI, ... ...t evil is but the absence of good. I feel that God did make everything good, and it is the absence of good that causes evil. People choose the road they feel like taking throughout life-time. I think of it this way God started us off on this world all consisting of good and it is we who choose to become evil. This follows through with Augustines next idea, which I also agree with, in that there can be no evil where there is no good. This holds true because everybody consists of good, and evil is the absence of good, so that just concludes that in order for evi l there must be good. Augustine also says that good and evil can exist at the selfsame(prenominal) time, but evil cannot exist without good, however, good can exist without evil. I feel that one can embody good and evil, there are some(prenominal) humans like that now. Its true that evil cannot exist without good because we are only evil when we arent good, but one can be good without being evil. I hope I have made it clear that there are some points that I agree with and there are some ideas of Augustine that I dont agree with. As for the way to serve God, I believe that as long as you live your life to the best of your ability, you will succeed.