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The Augustine Catechism: The Enchiridon on Faith, Hope, and Love
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Written as a favor for a friend this little work is a wonderful explanation of the Christian faith. A true catechism from which, throughout the history of the church, other catechisms have drawn and learned including the recent Catechism of the Catholic Church which quotes Augustine extensively. Within the context of the three theological virtues, faith, hope and love, Augustine masterfully covers the faith. He first works his way through the creed and then the Lords prayer as recorded by Matthew, ending with the sacraments. This is a colossal work in one small volume. Augustines Enchiridion On Faith, Hope and Charity, here called The Augustine Catechism, expresses his mature thinking and is an ideal introduction to studying his theologyhis teaching on the Trinity, the Church and the Sacraments, his doctrine of Original Sin and of redemption through Christ. It provides an admirable orientation to understanding his thought. Gerald Bonner Professor Emeritus Durham University Profound and complex in his theological vision, Augustine of Hippo could nonetheless synthesize and simplify when occasion needed. This fresh translation of his handbook of the Catholic faith. along with helpful introduction and commentary, makes accessible to the contemporary reader both the profundity and simplicity of the thought of Augustine of Hippo, revealing once again why he remains a Christian teacher and spiritual guide for all ages. Thomas F. Martin, O.S.A. Villanova University
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1,0420
This edition
- Format
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144 pages, Paperback
- Published
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January 1, 1999 by New City Press
- ISBN
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9781565481244
- ASIN
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1565481240
- Language
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English
About the author
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Early church father and philosopher Saint Augustine served from 396 as the bishop of Hippo in present-day Algeria and through such writings as the autobiographical Confessions in 397 and the voluminous City of God from 413 to 426 profoundly influenced Christianity, argued against Manichaeism and Donatism, and helped to establish the doctrine of original sin.
An Augustinian follows the principles and doctrines of Saint Augustine.
People also know Aurelius Augustinus in English of Regius (Annaba). From the Africa province of the Roman Empire, people generally consider this Latin theologian of the greatest thinkers of all times. He very developed the west. According to Jerome, a contemporary, Augustine renewed "the ancient Faith."
The Neo-Platonism of Plotinus afterward heavily weighed his years. After conversion and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to theology and accommodated a variety of methods and different perspectives. He believed in the indispensable grace to human freedom and framed the concept of just war. When the Western Roman Empire started to disintegrate from the material earth, Augustine developed the concept of the distinct Catholic spirituality in a book of the same name. He thought the medieval worldview. Augustine closely identified with the community that worshiped the Trinity. The Catholics and the Anglican communion revere this preeminent doctor. Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider his due teaching on salvation and divine grace of the theology of the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox also consider him. He carries the additional title of blessed. The Orthodox call him "Blessed Augustine" or "Saint Augustine the Blessed."
Santo Agostinho
An Augustinian follows the principles and doctrines of Saint Augustine.
People also know Aurelius Augustinus in English of Regius (Annaba). From the Africa province of the Roman Empire, people generally consider this Latin theologian of the greatest thinkers of all times. He very developed the west. According to Jerome, a contemporary, Augustine renewed "the ancient Faith."
The Neo-Platonism of Plotinus afterward heavily weighed his years. After conversion and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to theology and accommodated a variety of methods and different perspectives. He believed in the indispensable grace to human freedom and framed the concept of just war. When the Western Roman Empire started to disintegrate from the material earth, Augustine developed the concept of the distinct Catholic spirituality in a book of the same name. He thought the medieval worldview. Augustine closely identified with the community that worshiped the Trinity. The Catholics and the Anglican communion revere this preeminent doctor. Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider his due teaching on salvation and divine grace of the theology of the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox also consider him. He carries the additional title of blessed. The Orthodox call him "Blessed Augustine" or "Saint Augustine the Blessed."
Santo Agostinho
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A short book on the training of the catechumenate by Augustine (~70 pages). It's Augustine, so about as awesome as you think it would be.
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An excellent and brief exposition of Augustinian theology by Augustine himself.
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My biggest problem with the book was being able to accept the entire idea of the religion as St. Augustine sees it; I think his writing is interesting to see how he perceives ideas of good and bad and their relationship to God, what it means, his further explorations on sin.
As someone who does not share this religion, my interest in this book was spawned as a supplementary research material to understand this time period of Rome and its recent conversion to Christianity; for anyone interested, Saint Augustine is discussed in Prof. Paul Friedman's Yale open course, History 210: Early Middle Ages on Youtube -- the reason I picked up the Enchiridion in the first place. I think the context I'm coming from is helpful in understanding why I don't particularly like the work, but I've graded it as merely OK, because I recognize I'm probably too biased to weigh it effectively.
For instance, Saint Augustine clearly has a grasp of logistics and rational thinking, as he poses his ideas in a sensible way, but I'm not able to accept the religious component because I find it irrational.
I recognize too, that I am a product of my time in that I am a part of the populace that, having fundamentalist religions rammed down my throat since 9-11-2001 (whether they be fundamentalist right-wing religions or fundamentalist terrorists), is exhausted by fundamentalism, which is largely humorless and unable to question itself, much like the Enchiridion, and I ultimately find myself comparing it to unreasonable fundamentalism. Is it worth reading? Sure. Is Saint Augustine an interesting writer, philosopher, theologian? Sure. Does it help me understand the age he comes from? Sure.
I'm sure believers of the faith can find much to enjoy about this book and draw from; others who do not share the faith can still find useful insights here in regards to the time it emerged from.
As someone who does not share this religion, my interest in this book was spawned as a supplementary research material to understand this time period of Rome and its recent conversion to Christianity; for anyone interested, Saint Augustine is discussed in Prof. Paul Friedman's Yale open course, History 210: Early Middle Ages on Youtube -- the reason I picked up the Enchiridion in the first place. I think the context I'm coming from is helpful in understanding why I don't particularly like the work, but I've graded it as merely OK, because I recognize I'm probably too biased to weigh it effectively.
For instance, Saint Augustine clearly has a grasp of logistics and rational thinking, as he poses his ideas in a sensible way, but I'm not able to accept the religious component because I find it irrational.
I recognize too, that I am a product of my time in that I am a part of the populace that, having fundamentalist religions rammed down my throat since 9-11-2001 (whether they be fundamentalist right-wing religions or fundamentalist terrorists), is exhausted by fundamentalism, which is largely humorless and unable to question itself, much like the Enchiridion, and I ultimately find myself comparing it to unreasonable fundamentalism. Is it worth reading? Sure. Is Saint Augustine an interesting writer, philosopher, theologian? Sure. Does it help me understand the age he comes from? Sure.
I'm sure believers of the faith can find much to enjoy about this book and draw from; others who do not share the faith can still find useful insights here in regards to the time it emerged from.
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Walking through a library on my way to the laundry, several volumes of the Fathers of the Church caught my eye, and among them I found St Augustine's handbook on Christian doctrine, which he wrote specifically for a certain Laurentius. The theme of this letter/handbook is "Faith, Hope and Charity." I wondered if Augustine was the first to develop a systematic teaching on this "theological virtues," and so I picked up the book. I used if in my daily meditation for a little over a month.
Now, I was surprised at how easily I could absorb Augustine's teaching, as his writing seemed clear to me. I remember trying to read Augustine the year after I had graduated from university and getting absolutely nowhere. Funny how 50 years and three advanced degrees can change one's comprehension skills. I say this because, while I found the book a delight, I suspect that most of my friends would find it just the opposite. Perhaps Augustine himself felt similarly, for in the final chapter he writes to Laurentius: "Judge for yourself whether you should call it a handbook or should use it as such. As for myself, thinking as I did that your zeal in Christ should not be esteemed lightly, and believing and hoping good things of you in the help of our Redeemer, and loving you deeply as one of His members, I have to the best of my ability written this book for you on faith, hope and charity. May its usefulness be equal to its length!" (p. 112)
I am sure that in the ancient world a volume of 166 pages would have been considered a long one. It is not long by our standards. What I find good about it is that the author approaches virtues for life in a steady, systematic way. He presents the Christian calling, sin, divine mercy, and virtues to overcome weakness and live in a way that would be ready to accept God's lead through all the ups and downs of life. It seems to me that some have called this book "Augustine's catechism", because he answers many questions about day-to-day Christian life. Ultimately, for Augustine, faith, hope and charity are the gifts of God that make acceptance of his calling both possible and rewarding.
Overall, I have enjoyed this small volume, and am grateful the Augustin took the time to explain discipleship in Christ so thoroughly and simply to his friend Laurentius (and to us).
The actual edition that I read was part of the series: "Ancient Christian Writers: The Works of the Fathers in Translation", edited by Johannes Quasten STD and Joseph C. Plumpe, PhD, of the Catholic University of America Washington DC. published by Newman Press (New York/Ramsey NJ) in 1947. It was reprinted by the same publisher in a new edition of the series in 1978. This book was the third volume of the series, known from antiquity as the Enchiridion de Fide Spe et Caritate. The translator: Louis A. Arand, SS., STD, president of Divinity College, Catholic University of America.
Now, I was surprised at how easily I could absorb Augustine's teaching, as his writing seemed clear to me. I remember trying to read Augustine the year after I had graduated from university and getting absolutely nowhere. Funny how 50 years and three advanced degrees can change one's comprehension skills. I say this because, while I found the book a delight, I suspect that most of my friends would find it just the opposite. Perhaps Augustine himself felt similarly, for in the final chapter he writes to Laurentius: "Judge for yourself whether you should call it a handbook or should use it as such. As for myself, thinking as I did that your zeal in Christ should not be esteemed lightly, and believing and hoping good things of you in the help of our Redeemer, and loving you deeply as one of His members, I have to the best of my ability written this book for you on faith, hope and charity. May its usefulness be equal to its length!" (p. 112)
I am sure that in the ancient world a volume of 166 pages would have been considered a long one. It is not long by our standards. What I find good about it is that the author approaches virtues for life in a steady, systematic way. He presents the Christian calling, sin, divine mercy, and virtues to overcome weakness and live in a way that would be ready to accept God's lead through all the ups and downs of life. It seems to me that some have called this book "Augustine's catechism", because he answers many questions about day-to-day Christian life. Ultimately, for Augustine, faith, hope and charity are the gifts of God that make acceptance of his calling both possible and rewarding.
Overall, I have enjoyed this small volume, and am grateful the Augustin took the time to explain discipleship in Christ so thoroughly and simply to his friend Laurentius (and to us).
The actual edition that I read was part of the series: "Ancient Christian Writers: The Works of the Fathers in Translation", edited by Johannes Quasten STD and Joseph C. Plumpe, PhD, of the Catholic University of America Washington DC. published by Newman Press (New York/Ramsey NJ) in 1947. It was reprinted by the same publisher in a new edition of the series in 1978. This book was the third volume of the series, known from antiquity as the Enchiridion de Fide Spe et Caritate. The translator: Louis A. Arand, SS., STD, president of Divinity College, Catholic University of America.
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This provides a concise summary of Christian theology: God is to be served by man in faith, hope, and charity. The majority of Augustine’s work is faithful to Scripture in its understanding of the purpose, nature and content of theology. Unsurprisingly, Augustine is a product of his time, as revealed by his understanding of justification through penance. Nevertheless, readers are helped to consider how doctrine pushes us to worship God through love (charity); being transformed by the grace of our unchangeably good Creator. In addition, the cosmic significance of Christ’s work is unveiled through often neglected angelology.
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Second time through this. Augustine bleeds Scripture, especially Paul, and this introduction to the faith is great for those interested in his broader theological views.
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Good and useful.
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