Saint Augustine’s ascent to God

1
Saint Augustines ascent to God

• Augustine film.
• Main problem in Bk 7 its solutions.
• Steps to conversion.
• Pelagian controversy.
• Donatist controversy.

2
Augustines Confessions

• What does the title mean?
• Theme of restless heart.
• How does Augustine describe his inner condition
  in Book III.1, 5? (p. 35-38)
• What effect did conversion of philosophy have
  upon him? (p. 39-40)

3
Discussion questions (class 2)

• What did the Manichees teach?
• Why did they attract Augustine initially?
• P. 111. What was the initial problem that
  Augustine struggled with in bk 7?
• What central problem occupied him on pp. 113-126?
  

4
Augustines solution p. 126 (bottom)
5
Christianity Platonism

• Similarities p. 121
• Differences p. 121, 131.

6
Who is Jesus?

• P. 128-129 (top) Augustine initial opinion
• P. 129. Alypius view

7
Stories and encounters leading to Augustines
conversion

• Pp. 136-8. Who was Victorinus? What was the
  impact of the story of his conversion upon
  Augustine?
• Pp. 142-3 How did the story of Ponticianus impact
  Augustine?
• Pp. 148-52. What was the final problem with which
  Augustine struggled before his baptism?
• P. 151, bottom) What did Lady continence tell
  Augustine?
• P. 152-3. What happened to Augustine in the
  famous garden scene? What decision did he make
  as a result?

8
Steps to conversion

• Sermons of bishop Ambrose in Milan (bk 6)
• Idea of God (bk 7)
• Problem of evil (bk 7)
• Churchs teaching about Jesus
• Conversion stories
• Garden experience (152-53)

Ambrose of Milan