Confessions

Confessions

by Saint Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 354-430)  

Penguin Classics, New York, 1961. 352 pp.

Augustine converted to Christianity at age 32, dying to a life centered in sexual pleasure,
wealth and fame, and awakening to a life of love and compassion. With grace and skill he tells the whole story in his Confessions – a book of thirteen smaller books – to the God whom he finally came to worship.  Some have suggested that he overstated his lust and sinfulness in the first six books in order to counter those who were, at the time of his writing, too impressed with his sanctity.

For those who would like to read portions of this work that relate most directly to our path, especially recommended are Books VII and VIII.  In Book VII Augustine wrestles with the origin of evil:  "... I saw that it was not a substance but perversion of the will when it turns aside from you, O God, who are the supreme substance..." and with the passing of a gnostic (?) flash:  "In my weakness I recoiled and fell back into my old ways, carrying with me nothing but the memory of something that I loved and longed for, as though I had sensed the fragrance of the fare but was not yet able to eat it."  And in Book VIII he relates the story of his conversion, including the pleading of his attachments:  "They plucked at my garment of flesh and whispered, 'Are you going to dismiss us?  From this moment we shall never be with you again, for ever and ever.  From this moment you will never again be allowed to do this thing or that, for evermore.'"

-- reviewed by Wesley Lachman


To visit the blog and see more reviews and quotes from books in the collection of Center for Sacred Sciences' Library, click here https://centerforsacredscienceslibrary.blogspot.com