Instructing Beginners in Faith

by Augustine of Hippo, Boniface Ramsey

Although not usually considered to be on the same level as The Confessions or The City of God, to name just two of Augustine's greatest works, the short treatise entitled Instructing Beginners in Faith has in fact had a powerful influence on the Christian Church. It began as a reflection on the most suitable way of communicating the heart of Christian faith to those applying for membership of the Church. In the course of the past sixteen hundred years, however, it has been frequently and creatively adapted to serve the needs of education in faith in many different contexts, including the education of clergy and religious education more generally. The two model catecheses that Augustine sketches, one quite long and the other considerably shorter, not only continue to have relevance today but also provide an important insight into his understanding of the use of scripture and tradition. And Augustine's awareness of the problems that educators face demonstrates his profound grasp of the human condition.

Genres: Theology, Catholic, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Classics, Religion

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 399

About the author

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

Reviews

[Tim Michiemo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6 Stars

In this excellent and lengthy letter by Augustine his genius as a doctrinal teacher and compassionate pastor are on display. This is basically Augustine instructing a fellow believer how to "catechize" the unlearned in the faith. Yet, Augustine spends the same amount of time encouraging and counseling the recipient of the letter as he does on the actual content of the catechesis. And when Augustine finally gets to the catechesis what we get is a beautiful exposition of redemptive history, from Genesis to the Church, to the final resurrection. With Augustine's central exhortation to the unlearned to be to hope in the final resurrection, the city of God, rather than the City of man, and to live a life of love for God and others. Simply a great work!

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Augustine's little work contains excellent advice on how to instruct new converts in the faith. It also is fascinating to students of Church history to see what Augustine considered to be the rudiments of the faith. New converts were first given a historical overview of Scripture, then taught what was required of them as believers.

[Scott Bielinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice letter from Augustine to an eager, young pastor, Deogratias, who is looking to better receive and instruct seekers/converts, as well as how to handle discouragement in preaching.

He develops a twofold process in his instruction: historical exposition and moral exhortation. This first section is, basically, an explanation of salvation history, from Genesis to Revelation. Really helpful overview of the storyline of Scripture. Shows Augustine's own theological interpretation of the OT. The moral exhortation is an invitation to rely on and hope in God. Really great section.

Of most interest to me was Augustine's advice on how to handle discouragement in preaching. Searching, honest, and patient, Augustine shows himself to be a wise pastor and a keen listener, counseling patience and steady faithfulness. A lot of helpful wisdom here that could probably be boiled down to: remember God's love, rejoice in correcting your mistakes, have sympathy for our listeners, work hard to communicate well and effectively, take comfort in the growth of Christians under our care, and remember the divine purposes for ministry.

Augustine is always worth the read. This book is no different.

[Anna McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!!! Helpful when it comes to combatting discouragement in teaching the Faith, and all around inspiring. Reading it gives fresh fervor for instructing and living out the Catholic Faith! Praised be Jesus Christ!

[Rodrigo Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. A short handbook on evangelism and discipleship from Augustine. A good reminder that Augustine was first and foremost a pastor. He gives other pastors a road map to guide those who show interest in the Christian faith. The road map is an overview of Augustine's salvation history which culminates in Christ and by extension in Christ's people, the Church. Augustine proposes the presentation of an epochal overview of the Scriptures to initiate people in their road of discipleship. Finally, Augustine here encourages a fellow minister in his depression and burnout caused, among other things, by the ordinary nature of Christian ministry. A biblical theology primer from the early 5th century, encouragement for discouraged pastors, and a handbook for evangelism/discipleship in the local church, all in one short volume! The introduction by Raymond Canning is also very helpful as it gives a clear overview of the book and puts it in its context of the catechumenate in 4th and early 5th century Proconsul Africa.

[Flynn Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This proved to be a surprisingly formative book for me. Augustine’s approach to Christian teaching is thoroughly refreshing and also helps to refocus the true end of biblical instruction towards delighting in the love of God, for his beauty must be what we always strive to bring into the world more fully.

[Matt Pitts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t even recall when I started this. I chipped away occasionally until I finished. There is some really good material here, especially for Bible teachers, but the edition I was working (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, vol 3) with made it difficult to read.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different side of Augustine than reading his works on the Trinity or on the city of God. He is much more accessible here, even practical in the daily realities of ministry.

[Macy Vollert · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY good!! Not at all what I was expecting out of this book, but the content was fantastic!

My favorite section of the book is when St. Augustine talks about evil. To summarize- he says that we should not allow ourselves to be disturbed by the fact that so many people follow the devil and so few people follow God.

Toward the end of the book, he concludes what he says about the evil and says “Flee, therefore, by means of unshakable faith and a good way of life.”

I really loved this because I think it is SO easy to be affected by evil and darkness, but on the flip side living well and truly devoting one’s life to God makes the Christian an unmovable force against evil.

WOO GREAT BOOK THANK YOU ANNA!!

[Mela Kanootti]

johdanto pedagogisiin opintoihin

[Joseph Hamrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply fantastic. Love his way with words and the way he was able to take deep theological truths and clothe them with fitting words.

[Milka J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirjassa Augustinus vastaa esimerkiksi seuraaviin kysymyksiin: Mitä kannattaa aivan aluksi opettaa? Mikä on hyvää pedagogiaa? Saako oppilas viihtyä? Miten rakentaa opetus erilaisille oppilaille? Mitä kuulija saa erilaisia lähtökohdista irti opetuksesta ja miten opetustilanne vaikuttaa oppimiseen? Kerro, innosta, älä unohda opettajan omaa tunnetilaa...

Onko sittenkin niin, että noin meidän aikamme ja 1900-luvun kasvatusopin ajatuksissa on mukana paljon kierrättämistä, tai jopa, kehtaan ehkä tulkita erään laitoksemme tutkijan kanssa joskus opiskeluaikoina keskustellun perusteella, jo olemassa olleen omiin nimiin ottamista?

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for all catechists and pastors, as it is a pure gift to have both the head and heart instruction on teaching the faith straight from St. Augustine. I spent the majority of the book baffled at how the frustrations and difficulties St. Augustine describes regarding evangelism and teaching the faith are the same in 2022 as in the 400’s, in addition to how practical his advice is regarding them. Not to mention his concise summary of salvation history towards the end of the book would be a benefit to many. This will be a work I revisit often.

[Jan-Jaap van Peperstraten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Augustine's "De Catechizandis Rudibus" is an elementary introduction in the art of catechesis, but may also be read as the kernel of Saint Augustine's educational thought. Imbued with love for both the matter taught and the pupil receiving instruction, the teacher may gently coax the unlearned 'rude' pupil to a higher plane of understanding.

[Alex Szurkus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saint Augustine’s On the Catechizing of the Uninstructed is an excellent guide for the Catechizer, offering a Holy Bishop’s insight into both the challenges of instructing new believers and the mindset required to teach effectively. The second half of the work, which contains a sample Catechism, is itself an outstanding introduction to the Faith, demonstrating the necessity of the Old Testament’s historicity and its fulfillment in the law of Grace revealed in the New Testament. Saint Augustine consistently emphasizes the centrality of Love and charity in the Gospel, making clear their essential role in Christian life and their direct connection to Christ’s commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39, NASB 1995). I highly recommend this work for any Catechumen or Christian seeking a deeper understanding of the Faith.

[Benjamin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 1 is Augustine’s advice on how to train young believers in the basics of Christian doctrine and practice before they join the Catechumenate and how to cheerfully give the milk even though you want the meat.
Part 2 is example addresses of what you would do in that situation.
An incredible work by Augustine, here presented in a good translation with illuminating footnotes. My only beef is that the preface focused exclusively on its reception among Roman Catholics.

[Raymond Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably read more than I needed to for class but Augustine is so fun to read. He can be a bit difficult to understand sometimes (e.g long sentences, context needed for understanding), especially for a non-Christian such as myself, but its super rewarding. There's a lot of lessons that can be taken from this book both in and outside of the Christian setting.

[Michael Burchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this short book by Augustine, bishop of Hippo, for a class I just completed and wrote an assessment of it. Compared to how pastors and priests today catechism new believers (in the Protestant tradition) it is clear that Augustine took a different approach - and in my opinion, we today can learn from his approach.

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one! Great advice in the section addressing discouragement in those teaching beginners in the faith -- very applicable for youth ministry! Also loved the "model addresses" and found the way he laid out the history of salvation interesting.

[Chase Hagemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brilliance and humility of St. Augustine is unmatched. Just after reading two thirds of his letter to Deogratis, my conversations with those interested in the faith have been much more uplifting and fruitful. St. Augustine, pray for us!

[Joshua Reichard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful book on how to share the gospel, though I think this book is best suited for someone slightly educated in Augustine.

[Nisin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

[Caleb Hegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think of this book as a manual for how to be a pastor, preach, deal with new and old people, and much more.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this short work the reader is treated to Augustine's thoughts on teaching and his figural exegesis of Scripture.

[Seth Cusson]

This book wasn’t what I expected to be. But it’s great to see others in church history reflecting on how to help young Christians grow, and how we can encourage other Christians in their discipling.

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful. Some good stuff for catechesis.

[Grace]

Full of recognitions of the familiar in the far distant. Helpful to read a biblical theology that isn't Vos. (It's not a totally new thing in the 19th century.)