AUGUSTINE AND CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW
ST. AUGUSTINE (354-430)
Autobiography Confessions written around 400 AD
mother Monica; Bishop Ambrose of Milan;
Carthage; conversion from sinful life
theologian, Bishop of Hippo; Church
Father
Refutation of 4-5th C. Heresies:
Manicheanism: dualism as
explanation for evil;
PROBLEM OF EVIL in monotheistic
religions
omnipotence of God vs
goodness of God;
how can all
powerful good God permit evil?
Augustine: theory of evil as
absence of good
Pelagianism:
Pelagius: Christian priest,
preaches doctrine of
salvation through effort, good works =
morality
Augustine:
original sin as totally corrupting, need
grace
Christian sacraments as source of
grace:
Baptism, Penance, Eucharist
(Communion)
Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders,
Extreme
Unction (Last Rites)
predestination as ultimate source of
grace
380
pagan sacrifices outlawed by Emperor Theodosius
410 AD SACK OF ROME BY ALARIC
the VISIGOTH
413 AD
CITY OF GOD (vs City of man = Rome as symbol):
Christian theory of history:
visible Church vs invisible
Church
Roman versus Christian explanation sack of
Rome:
Roman: abandonment of worship of official
Roman gods;
Christian:
political
realm as punishment for original
sin
heavenly city versus earthly city;
divine
Providence
420's Vandal conquest of north Africa