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