In March we are going to reach way back to explore some of the ideas expressed by one of Christianity’s most significant and influential theologians, St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD). He is also often controversial.
Nearly every day we read of the clash of ancient religions. It is so easy to live out our faith without grasping some of the “ancientness” of our own. St. Augustine is one of those highly influential, ancient voices of which most of us have little understanding.
We certainly will only scratch the surface, as we will be reading only some select portions of his work, “City of God”. You can find this book in both bookstores and many resources on the internet.
Here are the “Books” from ‘City of God’ that we will be reading and discussion, honing in on some of the more universal topics rather than those unique to his time and place.
Just scan
Book 1 – Which will help set the context of the work.
Then the books we will read and discuss in earnest are centered around more universal themes, rather than the specifics of Augustine’s roman times.
Book V – Of fate, freewill, and God’s prescience, and of the source of the virtues of the ancient Romans.
Book XII – Of the creation of angels and men, and of the origin of evil.
Book XIX – A review of the philosophical opinions regarding the Supreme Good, and a comparison of these opinions with the Christian belief regarding happiness.
Book XXII – Of the eternal happiness of the saints, the resurrection of the body, and the miracles of the early Church.
Not easy reading, but important reading.
We hope this will be a lively discussion!
