Saint Augustine: How to Understand Christianity's Great Teacher

Enjoy this lively course on one of Christianity's greatest figures. St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430) is unquestionably one of the most influential figures in Western Civilization. According to his rival and contemporary, St. Jerome, Augustine "established anew the ancient faith." A preeminent Doctor of the Church, saint, and patron of the Augustinian religious order, he had an indelible influence on Christianity, and his words continue to speak to us today. This audio course will provide you with a comprehensive portrait of St. Augustine. Much of the course is drawn from Augustine's own words, which have echoed throughout the centuries. You will encounter segments devoted to each of his timeless masterpieces (Confessions and City of God) and to each of his best-known controversies (against the Manichees, Donatists, and Pelagians). You will also examine overlooked sides of his career, such as his everyday work as a bishop, preacher, and interpreter of the Bible. You will move through the vast corpus of his writings, tuning your ears to the melodies of Augustine's speech and the power of his mind. As you do, you will discover his uncanny ability to speak across the centuries, heart to heart, his heart to ours. Intended for listeners from all walks of life, these lectures bring together state-of-the-art scholarship and lucid translations. You will find a mesmerizing portrait of Augustine as his contemporaries knew him: a theologian of masterful eloquence.