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Augustine: On Christian Doctrine and Selected Introductory Works
The Theological Foundations series highlights the enduring influence of prominent figures from church history. This volume features four works by Augustine of Hippo, along with an introduction by series editor Timothy George that explores Augustine’s intellectual and pastoral impact today. Scholars, pastors, and students alike may take up, read, and learn from these masterpieces penned by one of church history’s most iconic theologians.
The four works included in this volume
The four works included in this volume
- GenresTheology
304 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2022
12 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Timothy George
47 books45 followersTimothy George was born in Detroit and grew up in the South. He is a graduate of Southern University. He always had a keen interest in African-American history and after traveling to Africa, he became inspired to write his first novel “Awaken." He has traveled extensively throughout Africa, South America and the Caribbean. His travels inspired his interest in African culture and history. He was intrigued by the interesting people he met on his adventures through Africa. He found a passion for researching African history and bringing many of its vibrant characters to life in his book. Timothy blends his insight as a former corporate executive as well as his experience growing up in the South into this book.
The action packed thriller "The Dagger" is the exciting sequel to his breakthrough novel "Awaken" .
The action packed thriller "The Dagger" is the exciting sequel to his breakthrough novel "Awaken" .
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 8, 2025
Wonderful selected works. Gives Augustine’s foundational theology of God as man’s highest and chiefest good. Beautiful.
April 12, 2023
Summary: Four works on Christian doctrine, written in the context of catechesis, by Augustine.
At some point, hopefully, the maturing Christian will hunger to read the great works of Christian theology through the history of the church. This new series, by B & H Academic, promises to offer affordable, handsomely presented and well-edited editions of the thought of prominent figures in church history. This work, along with John Calvin’s Commentary on Romans are the first volumes in what is hoped to be a growing series.
The four works included in this volume have in common Augustine’s concern to instruct his people in Christian belief.
On Christian Doctrine. Rather than a work on systematic theology or even core beliefs, it is instruction in how to understand the Bible, the source of all doctrine. We discover quickly what a formidable thinker Augustine is as he distinguishes between things and signs and between use and enjoyment. He instructs us how to deal with obscurities in scripture, the value of diverse interpretations and how to deal with false ones, the value of extrabiblical (heathen) sources. He is perhaps the first to propose interpreting obscure passages by those which are clearer. Book IV addresses preaching, the proper use and limitations of rhetoric (from a master rhetorician) and how important prayer is before preaching. While there are matters addressing questions of the times, there is much timeless and valuable counsel.
A Sermon to Catechumens on the Creed. This is perhaps one of the first expositions of what we call the Apostles Creed. He goes into depth on what it means that God is Almighty, what it means that the Son is begotten and yet One God with the Father, the incarnation, in which he was “born lowly” to “lift us up.” He affirms the trial before Pilate, the cross, the death, the resurrection, and ascension. On the Holy Spirit, he commends the Trinity. The Church, he says may be fought; but not fought down. We are raised, not like Lazarus but to bodily life everlasting. Read this to breathe life into your recitation of the creed!
A Treatise on Faith and the Creed. While also framed by the creed, this also addresses heresies of the time (which have recurred in various forms through history). He defends creation ex nihilo, the deity and consubstantiality of the Son, Mary’s crucial role, and the role of the Church in the remission of sins. A theme running throughout is the priority of faith and yet the necessity of reason.
A Treatise on the Spirit and the Letter. This is an extensive discussion of the issues at the heart of the Pelagian controversies, defending Adam’s immortality before the fall; the corporate character of sin in Adam, that sin is not just imitation; that grace is a supernaturally imparted gift, not a part of human nature; that original sin had universal effect and that no one could live a sinless life under the law; and that predestination is based on divine sovereignty and that human works are the fruit of divine grace but not its cause.
Throughout, Augustine employs reason, step by step logic, and biblical exegesis in addressing various questions. He anticipates many later discussions of biblical interpretation, offering good sense to catechumens. The discussion of Pelagianism seems especially relevant in our present day focus on human potential. We can neither save ourselves nor grow in holiness by sheer willpower but only by the gift of God’s grace. The two pieces on the creed give us a sense of the historical concerns that led to this formulation and what a glowing affirmation these words are. These shorter works underscore why Augustine stands out as one of the greatest theologians in the history of the church.
____________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.
At some point, hopefully, the maturing Christian will hunger to read the great works of Christian theology through the history of the church. This new series, by B & H Academic, promises to offer affordable, handsomely presented and well-edited editions of the thought of prominent figures in church history. This work, along with John Calvin’s Commentary on Romans are the first volumes in what is hoped to be a growing series.
The four works included in this volume have in common Augustine’s concern to instruct his people in Christian belief.
On Christian Doctrine. Rather than a work on systematic theology or even core beliefs, it is instruction in how to understand the Bible, the source of all doctrine. We discover quickly what a formidable thinker Augustine is as he distinguishes between things and signs and between use and enjoyment. He instructs us how to deal with obscurities in scripture, the value of diverse interpretations and how to deal with false ones, the value of extrabiblical (heathen) sources. He is perhaps the first to propose interpreting obscure passages by those which are clearer. Book IV addresses preaching, the proper use and limitations of rhetoric (from a master rhetorician) and how important prayer is before preaching. While there are matters addressing questions of the times, there is much timeless and valuable counsel.
A Sermon to Catechumens on the Creed. This is perhaps one of the first expositions of what we call the Apostles Creed. He goes into depth on what it means that God is Almighty, what it means that the Son is begotten and yet One God with the Father, the incarnation, in which he was “born lowly” to “lift us up.” He affirms the trial before Pilate, the cross, the death, the resurrection, and ascension. On the Holy Spirit, he commends the Trinity. The Church, he says may be fought; but not fought down. We are raised, not like Lazarus but to bodily life everlasting. Read this to breathe life into your recitation of the creed!
A Treatise on Faith and the Creed. While also framed by the creed, this also addresses heresies of the time (which have recurred in various forms through history). He defends creation ex nihilo, the deity and consubstantiality of the Son, Mary’s crucial role, and the role of the Church in the remission of sins. A theme running throughout is the priority of faith and yet the necessity of reason.
A Treatise on the Spirit and the Letter. This is an extensive discussion of the issues at the heart of the Pelagian controversies, defending Adam’s immortality before the fall; the corporate character of sin in Adam, that sin is not just imitation; that grace is a supernaturally imparted gift, not a part of human nature; that original sin had universal effect and that no one could live a sinless life under the law; and that predestination is based on divine sovereignty and that human works are the fruit of divine grace but not its cause.
Throughout, Augustine employs reason, step by step logic, and biblical exegesis in addressing various questions. He anticipates many later discussions of biblical interpretation, offering good sense to catechumens. The discussion of Pelagianism seems especially relevant in our present day focus on human potential. We can neither save ourselves nor grow in holiness by sheer willpower but only by the gift of God’s grace. The two pieces on the creed give us a sense of the historical concerns that led to this formulation and what a glowing affirmation these words are. These shorter works underscore why Augustine stands out as one of the greatest theologians in the history of the church.
____________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher.
March 10, 2023
Augustine. 2022. Augustine: On Christian Doctrine and Selected Introductory Works. Edited by Timothy George. Theological Foundations. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic. 292 pp. 1999
Reading Augustine for the modern mind is living driving the Smokey Mountains Scenic Highway, you must drive slow and take your time. He was clearly one of the greatest theological thinkers of his time and well worth the effort to slow down and read. Timothy George has edited nicely Augustine in the work Augustine: On Christian Doctrine and Selected Introductory Works. Augustine’s purpose in his treatise On Christian Doctrine is to explain to pastors what doctrine to teach God’s people and the categories by which to explain the doctrines to God’s people. Augustine divides his work into four books, divided into chapters to deal with different aspects of the interpretation of Scripture.
Book I is made up of forty chapters covering various doctrines Augustine believes are important for the pastor to share with God’s people. In Chapter 1 Augustine explains that the understanding and interpretation of Scripture are to be carried out with humble dependence of God’s aid. Chapter 2 then explains to us his mode of interpretation of things and signs. In Augustine explains in Chapter 5 the Trinity and the believers response to enjoy the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as God. In Book II signs are described in more detail, along with interpretational methods. Book III takes 37 chapters to help the interpreter deal with the ambiguities of Scripture. His categories and explanation for prudence and benevolence in Chapter 10 section 16, are helpful in demonstrating what a rightly shaped affection to loving God and neighbor looks like. Finally in Book IV Augustine uses 31 chapters to address the teachers use of rhetoric in explaining the Scriptures.
In reading this work one must be careful to slow down and think about what one is reading. The modern mind especially must concentrate and think through what Augustine is saying, otherwise we run the risk of misunderstanding him. This work clearly presents a helpful aid in the careful reader who desires to better interpret the Word of God. Augustine’s categories of things and signs is helpful when applied correctly, and not taken to extremes as he does on several occasions. For any pastor or layman seeking to better understand God’s Word it is well worth their time to drive Augustin’s scenic highway, but be warned, move slowly, and think through what he is saying.
Daniel D. Baltich
Central Baptist Theological Seminary
Plymouth, Minnesota
Reading Augustine for the modern mind is living driving the Smokey Mountains Scenic Highway, you must drive slow and take your time. He was clearly one of the greatest theological thinkers of his time and well worth the effort to slow down and read. Timothy George has edited nicely Augustine in the work Augustine: On Christian Doctrine and Selected Introductory Works. Augustine’s purpose in his treatise On Christian Doctrine is to explain to pastors what doctrine to teach God’s people and the categories by which to explain the doctrines to God’s people. Augustine divides his work into four books, divided into chapters to deal with different aspects of the interpretation of Scripture.
Book I is made up of forty chapters covering various doctrines Augustine believes are important for the pastor to share with God’s people. In Chapter 1 Augustine explains that the understanding and interpretation of Scripture are to be carried out with humble dependence of God’s aid. Chapter 2 then explains to us his mode of interpretation of things and signs. In Augustine explains in Chapter 5 the Trinity and the believers response to enjoy the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as God. In Book II signs are described in more detail, along with interpretational methods. Book III takes 37 chapters to help the interpreter deal with the ambiguities of Scripture. His categories and explanation for prudence and benevolence in Chapter 10 section 16, are helpful in demonstrating what a rightly shaped affection to loving God and neighbor looks like. Finally in Book IV Augustine uses 31 chapters to address the teachers use of rhetoric in explaining the Scriptures.
In reading this work one must be careful to slow down and think about what one is reading. The modern mind especially must concentrate and think through what Augustine is saying, otherwise we run the risk of misunderstanding him. This work clearly presents a helpful aid in the careful reader who desires to better interpret the Word of God. Augustine’s categories of things and signs is helpful when applied correctly, and not taken to extremes as he does on several occasions. For any pastor or layman seeking to better understand God’s Word it is well worth their time to drive Augustin’s scenic highway, but be warned, move slowly, and think through what he is saying.
Daniel D. Baltich
Central Baptist Theological Seminary
Plymouth, Minnesota
March 1, 2025
It is always surprising how ancient works such as these answer so poignantly what we perceive as “issues of the day.” As it turns out, nothing is new under the sun.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews