Augustin's Confessions

I long intended to read The Confessions (usually called The Confessions of St. Augustine in order to distinguish it from other books by that name). I finally decided to read it - and write about it in this blog. It contains 13 books, so I will post as I finish each of its 13 books. I will start with an introduction.

Scholars consider The Confessions as the first autobiography written in the West. In one way, it's a strange autobiography since Augustine wrote it during 397 and 398, when he was about 40 years old. Many think he wrote it as a response to those who considered him too young as a Christian to serve as a bishop, were worried about the rumors of his wild background or his former attachment to an anti-Christian religion. Augustine certainly meets all these concerns head on.

However, it is not just an autobiography, or just a confession, as we tend to think of those words. For Augustine, "confession" meant not just telling your sins, but also to praise God. And a good portion of the book delves into deep philosophic considerations, as Augustine ponders some of the deep questions about life - as well as deep questions about God.

That is why The Confessions had not only such a deep influence in the Middle Ages, but still influences down to this day, as it is widely read and known by Christians across denominational lines, as well as by non-Christians who respect Augustine's thoughts and the journey he descibes.
On to Book I.

Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis - Overview