This article shows Augustine’s emphasis on the centrality of the affections, particularly joy, in the believer’s life. In fact, his pursuit of this joy is what strengthened him to engage in the many debates of the Pelagian controversy.
This article explains the perspective of Augustine on virtue among pagans. He contended that the damaging effect of sin on human nature did not do away with the goodness that is human nature.
How did the doctrine of the perseverence of the saints develop in the way it is understood and applied in the life of the church? This article gives an overview of the history of this doctrine, starting with the important contribution of Augustine. It continues with how Thomas Aquinas saw perseverance as a necessary gift of God, but believers cannot be certain it was given to them.
This paper discusses the theological views of Augustine, Pelagius, and Aquinas on original sin. The contention of the author is that one's estimation or understanding of the grace of God is determined by their view of original sin.
This article is a detailed discussion on the nature of the word of God. It involves a survey of different views in the history of theology about this subject. The author includes the views of Thomas Aquinas, Anselm, and Augustine, and moves to the views of the Reformation and afterward.
The author makes a strong case for reading Augustine's Confessions. He indicates that this work is not just a memoir; it is a mixed-genre book, including narrative elements and prayers.
This article focuses on the understanding of Augustine of hell. In his approach to the doctrine, he was concerned with the right perspective on the justice of God. The article also indicates how Augustine responded to attempts to tone down the nature or duration of hell. Next, the article gives an evaluation of Augustine's position and the role the demonic played in his views of sin and punishment.
This treatise considers the discussion of the decrees of God between two major groups: those who prefer supralapsarianism and those who opt for infralapsarianism. The author traces this controversy to the struggle between Augustine and Pelagius. There were strong views for and against the two options.
This article considers the church father Augustine and his The City of God.
How should the use of contraceptives as instruments of family planning be viewed from a theological perspective? The arrival of the Pill in 1960 caused a major shift in thinking about this topic. Hollinger considers the theological argument against contraception that has too often been missing in ethical considerations in Protestant circles.
Jowers considers the implications of Philippians 2:6-7 for the person and work of Christ. Does the passage teach that Christ possesses two natures? May it be concluded from this that the possibilities of change and inequality within the deity are therefore excluded? Can this text be used like Augustine suggested, as a “canonical rule” for biblical exegesis?
Godly mothers are crucial for the development of godly men. This article pays a visit to Monica, the mother to Augustine. It shows how here desire for the conversion of Augustine was answered.
This article offers some of the significant features of the life of Augustine.
This essay is an exploration of the characteristics of the anti-intellectual environment of the North African clergy at the time of Augustine. It also discusses the effect this had on Augustine in driving him towards the Manichees.
This essay provides a historical overview of the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. It starts with the first extensive treatment of the doctrine in Augustine. The author indicates the central role the understanding of election plays in this doctrine.
What was Augustine's view of the creation days in Genesis 1? This essay considers Augustine's views in the context of his broader view of creation.
The author discusses the origins of the battle between Augustine's teachings of predestination and grace, and Pelagius's views on the same issues. Pelagianism later developed into semi-Pelagianism, a teaching that has remained to this day.
Augustine's theory of sensation is problematic. He held to the view that in sensation the soul acts instead of being acted upon. This essay gives a critique of this sense knowledge in Augustine's philosophy.
Lewis reflects on the Donatist controversy in the fourth century, particularly the role of violence perpetrated by the different parties involved and the advice and role of Augustine in the controversy.
Existentialism's view of the individual is sometimes claimed to be similar to the views of Augustine. In this essay Lewis evaluates such claims by comparing the thought of Augustine with that of contemporary existentialists. Lewis introduces Paul Tillich's distinctions between an existential point of view, an existential philosophy, and an existential attitude (involvement).
The article provides a short biographical account of Augustine (354-430). It touches on, among other things, his childhood, parents, schooling, and training, till his conversion. Some of the confrontations he made in his search for truth and in his teachings include those with Manichaeism, Pelagianism, and Donatism.
The author provides a preview of the Pelagian controversy from early church history, which involved Augustine and Pelagius (a later development of Pelagianism became known as semi-Pelagianism). The controversy in question centres around the nature of the fall of man, saving grace, and the will of man.
This article gives a short historical account of the contribution of Augustine of Hippo, who defended the church against the heresies of the Manicheans, Donatists, and the Pelagians.
This article looks at Augustine, Pelagius, Semi-Pelagians, Evangelicals, and Catholics, discussing what they teach about justification.
This article discusses Augustine's belief that human satisfaction can only be found through true love for God. All pursuits of fulfillment in materialism, sex, or atheism will fail.
The author of this article shows how Augustine viewed the relationship between God's grace and God's revelation. This article discusses how Augustine believed that preaching is the means God uses to impart His grace. The author draws implications from this for today's preaching.
This article on church history provides an overview of the scientific theologians. Attention is given to the Eastern Fathers and the School of Antioch (John Chrysostom, Theodore, and Eusebius), as well as the Latin Fathers (Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine).
In 1987 some of us paused to remember an event which took place 1600 years ago. It was an event which changed the course of western thought and influenced the shape of Christian theology to the present day. On Easter Eve, April 24, 387 AD, in a Milanese church in the north of Italy, a man already in his thirties, accompanied by his illegitimate son, stepped into the waters of the baptistery. Three times the young man would pass beneath the waters. Then he would take his place in the congregation and with all the faithful proclaim, "Christ is Risen!" , "He is Risen Indeed! ".
Through much of the history of the Church those who have articulated Christian doctrine have viewed narcissism as the original and fundamental human problem. Augustine declared that the "primal destruction of man was self-Iove". This article takes an in-depth view at the role of the "I" in the confrontation with the Kingdom of God, where the most important one is the one who know how to be a servant.
When Augustine became bishop of Hippo in 395 AD, he was compelled to deal with a schism which had existed in the church for 85 years. The schism consisted of mutual hostility and distrust. Both groups had the same episcopal constitution, the same priesthood, the same Creed and Sacraments. The schism existed on two levels. The first was over the concern for purity in the Christian life and worldly separation while the second point of contention was doctrinal.
This article is about the relation of Martin Luther and Augustine, and about Luther's 95 theses and 97 theses.
This article is about Augustine, born in Tagaste, Algeria in 354 A.D.
This article uses Augustine's The City of God to show the antithesis between church and world, and also reflects on an ungodly society.
