I am only giving this 3 stars because it wasn't the easiest material to read/comprehend, though, yes, I understand, that is not Augustine's fault. Some sections are easier to follow, and when you get the point being made, it's profound and satisfying. It's definitely more philosophy than religion.

I just realized I had added it as "to read 2016-2017". Wow, note to past me.
Always cool to check one off the list from long ago, especially when you forgot it was there.

Recommended, but I wouldn't suggest it as your first foray into Augustine, and prepare to spend a lot of time with it even though it's short in length.

Unsurprisingly ridiculous. A good introduction to Christian theology, but just be prepared to plod through numerous implausible assumptions, poorly defined terms, and smug conclusions.

In short:
Book One: Pretty good.
Book Two: (for me) Pretty good, but I'm used to most of its questions and answers.
Book Three: Amazing start, but after some pages, it'll look more like Book One.

It's, obviously, a philosophical gem in an age when the truth isn't appreciated as it should be.

Augustine tackles the questions of suffering, free will and the omniscience of God in a work that is structured as a dialogue between Augustine and Evodius, a friend. It's a fascinating work with a lot of really interesting ideas; it's a bit long and a bit labored right near the end when Evodius drops out and Augustine just goes off on a lengthy monologue. The conversational nature of the bulk of the work helped it flow a little better, I think. Still, I really enjoyed it.

One of the best books I have read regarding free choice and free will. I have found that many people confuse these two concepts. Augustine of Hippo, a North African Bishop, argues that humans were created by God with free will, but this has been corrupted such that without God's intervention, humans do not choose what God would have us choose.

Those who believe in the libertarian view of human will should pay close attention both to the end of this dialogue and to his Reconsiderations about his book. Augustine notes that when he wrote this dialog, he had Manichaean theology in mind regarding the origin of evil in the world. However, he later refuted the Pelagians for their belief that humans can choose God without His intervention, and shows how his arguments are also found in On Free Choice of the Will.

i love saint augustine <3

This book is probably a little dry, but it was very logical and interesting. It seemed like reading Descartes, but it was more articulate in my opinion. It's good if you want to get into a theological argument with someone, regardless of either's belief or unbelief.

Entiendo el contexto histórico y cultural, pero, uf, menudo chapas. De verdad, Agus, no hace falta que me repitas 15 veces el mismo argumento, ya he pillado el punto.

Może jestem już stary, ale problem teodycei wydaje się ZAJEBISTY.

Excellent book from a great thinker. Augustine will force you to think in ways you've never considered about things you thought you had figured out.

Particularly helpful are his thoughts on the origin of evil and how free will cannot be a bad thing, even when God knew man would abuse it. He also explains foreknowledge in a way that refutes fatalism and exonerates God from causing evil simply because he knew it would happen.

If you're interested in free will, evil, God's justice, and God's foreknowledge, this is a must read.

I adore St. Augustine, but I don't think he is that great at dialogues. Very boring, and doesn't really leave you with much to consider.

Uma excelente obra de Santo Agostinho, e como escrita foi ainda nos anos 300 d.C., precisa ser lida de acordo com o pensamento cristão da época (e que, cá para nós, não mudou muito desde então). O brilhantismo argumentativo de Agostinho ao tentar explicar a seu amigo Evódio que nada de mau vem de Deus, que é a fonte de todo bem, é digna de louvor. Ainda assim, não creio que seu amigo tenha compreendido sua fala ou até mesmo concordado com ela sinceramente. Esta é uma obra filosófica sobre um tema até hoje discutido e pouco esclarecido. Vale a pena a leitura dessa inspiração socrática de batina.