Augustine of Hippo: Selected Writings (Classics of Western Spirituality)

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Summary: The "Grace and Free Will" of St. Augustine
Review: In this superlative volume of The Classics of Western Spirituality series, "Augustine of Hippo: Selected Writings," St. Augustine's Trinitarian thought is gracefully explained and examined with lucid clarity in Mary T. Clark's Introduction. For example, the differences between Augustinian Theology and Plotinian Neoplatonism: Augustine's belief in the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit being one and co-equal, and Plotinus believing in The One (God), the Intellectual-Principle (the mind of God, i.e., His image, which is inferior to The One--created by The One), and the Reason-Principle (the soul of God, which is inferior to The One and its cause, the Intellectual-Principle). Augustine adopted from Plotinus "that the spiritual icon is always in immediate contact with its exemplar, the higher intelligible that is its source" (i.e., God). Through Ambrose, Augustine "had found the 'wind' that would waft his bark safely to port in the Blessed Fatherland." So you can see why Augustine is considered Neoplatonic. Many of his beliefs were rooted in Plotinus' Neoplatonism of The One. He believed that God is intuitively known "through the supernatural knowledge possessed by the soul." Our faith and charity is what transformed it into the image of the Trinity. How Augustine's early beliefs formed and evolved into maturity are thoroughly examined, such as his (Augustinian speculation) original triad of the speculative intellect--memory, understanding, and free will. Also elucidated is his belief that Grace is superior to free will, which all modern Christians naturally believe. Before Augustine, the opposite opinion was the prevailing view. And whether or not he was a mystic is discussed in depth. Obviously, he was a mystic is the answer that the majority of reputable scholars concluded. Personally, I think there's no doubt that Augustine was a mystic. He's probably the greatest mystic of the post Apostolic Fathers. The two mystical experiences he describes in "CONFESSIONS" with his friend, Alypius, in the garden (during his last great battle for conversion) and with his mother at the window reveal his mysticism. There's so much more information discussed in the Introduction, that it makes it worth the cost of the entire book. All the selections included in this volume have Introductory Notes, which are extremely helpful in explaining the writings. Here are the contents: "CONFESSIONS: Book Seven; Book Eight; Book Nine; Book Ten"; "THE HAPPY LIFE"; "HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS: Psalm 119: The Ascents of the Christian; Psalm 120: Our Confidence in the Lord; Psalm 121: The Ecstacy of Love; Psalm 122: God Is True Wealth"; "HOMILY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN: Treatise Seven"; "ON THE TRINITY: Book Eight; Book Fourteen"; "ON SEEING GOD; ON THE PRESENCE OF GOD: Letter 147: Augustine to the Noble Lady, Pauline, greeting; Letter 187: On the Presence of God"; "THE CITY OF GOD: Book Nineteen"; and "THE RULE OF ST. AUGUSTINE". One must read for him/herself St. Augustine's writings in order to truly comprehend the depth and breath of this most graceful and sublime saint's faith. If philosophy is the handmaiden of theology, then Augustine is the master. I highly recommend this outstanding volume, and I hope my review is worthy of such a profound volume as this one certainly is. Blessed art thou, St. Augustine!