Over 1600 years ago a young man made a journey- from a life dedicated to fulfillment in sexual passions and rhetorical conjecture to spiritual discovery and embrace of Christ and the church. That young man wrote down his story in what many consider to be the first autobiography in Western literature- "The Confessions". "Confessions" was written by Saint Augustine, who would later become the famed bishop of Hippo (Hippo Regius). His literary output, along with his philosophical and theological stature, made him one of the famed 35 "Doctors of the Church" throughout history.
The essence of the book is framed well by its title- this is the testimony of a man who pours out his confession and remorse of sins, all the while showing almost no regard for his own piety as viewed through posterity. But Augustine is anything but thoughtless. He is seen as one of the great theological thinkers in all church history. But "Confessions" shows us the strength and expanse of his character- his ability to be fully intellectual in logic and rhetorical arts, while being completely aware and involved through his passions and senses. He argues convincingly, at times, through understandings of sin, grace and even the essence of time, and yet feels, cries, repents, anguishes and joys all the experiences of his life.
"Confessions" first several books (chapters) are a chronological account of Augustine's life, beginning literally at his birth and eventually leading up to his conversion and eventual baptism into the Catholic church. He talks extensively about his vices related to sexual relationships, his search for "truth" (as found through various academic and religious pursuits) and his desire for integrity in ethics (viewed through scepticism of others dishonesty and his realization of his own duplicity).
Augustine was searching for the reality of eternity, joined the "trendy" religion of the day (Manichaeism) and pursued a worldly career with much success and promise (professor of rhetoric). Hints of his eventual conversion are seen early in his life, his mother being an ardent Christian. Augustine has deeply Platonic seeds planted by his "enlightenment" of true happiness that occurs when he reads Cicero's Hortensius, which disavows physical pleasures for the search of truth. Through a brilliant mind he deduced the fallacies of much of the materialist philosophies of his day and (at least in his intellectual pursuit) seems to be pounding on the church door to find God by the time he is finally captured into Christ by the words and influence of Ambrose, the brilliant orator and bishop in Milan.
Throughout the volumes, Augustine is deeply philosophical about a range of things related to internal sins and thoughts and temptations, but once he is converted and is baptized, his life turns completely from his focus on a secular career and sin indulgences. This is not because he has no more desires, but because he struggles with them, confronts them and ruthlessly surrenders his life to teachings of scripture and direction of the church. Once "in", Augustine becomes clear champion of the faith combating his former vices (especially Manichaeism and astrology) by writing and arguing against them. "Confessions" itself is part of that legacy of Augustine's apologetics. The book itself has a final section of 4 chapters that are starkly different than the first 9. Moving from an autobiographical style, Augustine moves into philosophical and intellectual explorations of the topics of time, eternity, matter, form, creation and even the Trinity. In the last two chapters he moves into a rhetorical interpretation of Genesis 1/2, explaining his thoughts on creation and trying to confer the possibilities of how portions might be scientific (though he never uses that term) and/or allegorical.
"Confessions" is a deeply human book, expressing for the ages the plight of the human soul- its vices, joys and ultimately its discovery of true purpose in the person of Christ. Augustine has a highly developed sense of emotions in this book, but it is coupled with a brilliant mind whose introspections range from core Christianity to profound theology. Though there are some topics and ideas that are obviously bound in the 4th century, along with its author, so much of this book is truly "modern", even "post-modern", in that Augustine looks both to philosophical thought and deductive experience to parse through the theories and realities he is facing in his quest for God.
The book is relatively short (270-300 pages depending on the version you have) and should be at the top of the reading list for any thoughtful person searching for truth, for reality and ultimately, for God. To struggle through "Confessions" is to struggle alongside Augustine, and indeed with the human narrative, from our base nature into the reality of spiritual discipleship and life. If you have this book for a school/college assignment, don't be afraid, get reading. It will not be disappointing. A true classic.
The great thing is, this book is available in every format, from paperback (I have the Penguin Classics edition), to digital book (I recommend the Oxford version for Kindle), and even on digital audio book.
Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/12PaLZT
Review by Kim Gentes
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