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I'm surprised and happy to see something like this posted and upvoted on HN. The first time I read through Confessions and City of God, I thought they were both

by ezekg 9y ago

I'm surprised and happy to see something like this posted and upvoted on HN. The first time I read through Confessions and City of God, I thought they were both very tough reads (thou, thee, etc.), much like John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion (which I haven't actually finished yet), but very good reads nonetheless, full of arguments/debates on many hard topics that are applicable even today. Like this article mentions, you get to see Augustine's view of God change throughout Confessions, from master (rules, rules, rules--no fun) to lover through a deeper understanding of grace, a lot like my own journey. Augustine has been a huge instrument for me in developing a correct view of God through his great arguments/debates and by introducing me to reformed doctrine (which you will come in contact with if you search Augustine's writings enough). I love the quote from his conversion after reading Romans 13: > No further would I read, […] nor had I any need; instantly at the end of this sentence, a clear light flooded my heart and all the darkness of doubt vanished away. Anyways, like I said, I'm really happy to see this posted here. I'm interested in seeing where the discussion goes.

riot504 9y ago
Over the summer I built a set Catholic theological writings by scouring used book stores that I plan diligently going through over the next couple of years. I say years because I also have St. Aquinas' Summa Theologica (complete) in there as well. I am really interested in seeing the path I take going through these as adult.
- 0x4f3759df 9y ago
  If you don't mind reading on kindle... The Complete Ante-Nicene & Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Collection: 3 Series, 37 Volumes, 65 Authors, 1,000 Books, 18,000 Chapters, 16 Million Words for $3 https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Ante-Nicene-Post-Nicene-Fathers-Collection-ebook/dp/B00KYBSUUM https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Ante-Nicene-Post-Nicene-Fath...
  - ezekg 9y ago
    Wow, that's great. Thanks for the link! It's one of my dreams to have the hardcover (or leather-bound!) collection.
  - riot504 9y ago
    Thank you for that. I do have one of the Father's of the Church volumes and one of the book stores has a few other volumes. I'm most interested right now in The City of God due to the context/thesis being relevant today. As a teenager I switched to Buddhism (20 or so years ago) but have gained new interest in my Catholic upbringing as I was finding it hard to relate to Buddhism and its history. Culturally it was different from my own and I always had a feeling of being an outsider/imposter. Most of HN and others who are in educated professions appear to dismiss religion though I've come to find it as a guiding principal and cultural history - Western Civilization is built on Christianity, Catholcism for a larger portion. Currently in the US we are losing our sense cultural understanding, in my opinion, and wish for the government to set laws and regulations on everything. The freedoms set forth in the first amendment give us the freedom to guide our lives as we see fit, religion filling the moral and spiritual need in our lives. The libertarian in me agrees with the freedom but to ensure others are given the same freedom as long we do no harm to others - nor should we judge or force our beliefs onto others. Now I understand that certain groups haven't experienced the same freedoms as others but is that religions fault? I would say no, and offer the perspective of culture. Simple cultural norms bring us together. I live in the PNW and have a beard, I know if I were to back to New Orleans where I'm from a beard would be viewed differently causing issues with employment. This is a simple and harmless is example that isn't a non-issue compared to others. Overall I'm excited to begin the journey with the open mind of an adult. Sorry for tangent and possible incoherent ramble - on my tablet.
    - geerlingguy 9y ago
      > Most of HN and others who are in educated professions appear to dismiss religion I think a lot of us just keep our mouths shut due to the large amount of vitriol that results from any rational discussion of metaphysics or the supernatural :)
hodgesrm 9y ago
Augustine has always been the big guy for me when it comes to classical philosophy. I even used to have the first words of the Confessions engraved on my skis. ("Thou art great, O Lord", good words when admiring the majesty of creation shortly before heading downhill at speed.) The review does full justice to his subtlety. The Confessions are a really hard read, as you say, but worth the effort. I find it interesting that he flourished in a time that many consider the decline of classical civilization. His treatment of time for instance is the equal of anything I have read in Plato.

by ezekg 9y ago

riot504 9y ago

Over the summer I built a set Catholic theological writings by scouring used book stores that I plan diligently going through over the next couple of years. I say years because I also have St. Aquinas' Summa Theologica (complete) in there as well. I am really interested in seeing the path I take going through these as adult.

0x4f3759df 9y ago
If you don't mind reading on kindle... The Complete Ante-Nicene & Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Collection: 3 Series, 37 Volumes, 65 Authors, 1,000 Books, 18,000 Chapters, 16 Million Words for $3 https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Ante-Nicene-Post-Nicene-Fathers-Collection-ebook/dp/B00KYBSUUM https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Ante-Nicene-Post-Nicene-Fath...
- ezekg 9y ago
  Wow, that's great. Thanks for the link! It's one of my dreams to have the hardcover (or leather-bound!) collection.
- riot504 9y ago
  Thank you for that. I do have one of the Father's of the Church volumes and one of the book stores has a few other volumes. I'm most interested right now in The City of God due to the context/thesis being relevant today. As a teenager I switched to Buddhism (20 or so years ago) but have gained new interest in my Catholic upbringing as I was finding it hard to relate to Buddhism and its history. Culturally it was different from my own and I always had a feeling of being an outsider/imposter. Most of HN and others who are in educated professions appear to dismiss religion though I've come to find it as a guiding principal and cultural history - Western Civilization is built on Christianity, Catholcism for a larger portion. Currently in the US we are losing our sense cultural understanding, in my opinion, and wish for the government to set laws and regulations on everything. The freedoms set forth in the first amendment give us the freedom to guide our lives as we see fit, religion filling the moral and spiritual need in our lives. The libertarian in me agrees with the freedom but to ensure others are given the same freedom as long we do no harm to others - nor should we judge or force our beliefs onto others. Now I understand that certain groups haven't experienced the same freedoms as others but is that religions fault? I would say no, and offer the perspective of culture. Simple cultural norms bring us together. I live in the PNW and have a beard, I know if I were to back to New Orleans where I'm from a beard would be viewed differently causing issues with employment. This is a simple and harmless is example that isn't a non-issue compared to others. Overall I'm excited to begin the journey with the open mind of an adult. Sorry for tangent and possible incoherent ramble - on my tablet.
  - geerlingguy 9y ago
    > Most of HN and others who are in educated professions appear to dismiss religion I think a lot of us just keep our mouths shut due to the large amount of vitriol that results from any rational discussion of metaphysics or the supernatural :)

hodgesrm 9y ago

Augustine has always been the big guy for me when it comes to classical philosophy. I even used to have the first words of the Confessions engraved on my skis. ("Thou art great, O Lord", good words when admiring the majesty of creation shortly before heading downhill at speed.) The review does full justice to his subtlety. The Confessions are a really hard read, as you say, but worth the effort. I find it interesting that he flourished in a time that many consider the decline of classical civilization. His treatment of time for instance is the equal of anything I have read in Plato.