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The Church Father Augustine of Hippo was a Manichaean Auditor from 373 to 382. Manichaeanism was a Christian Gnostic sect radically different from what is now known as Christianity, and the status of Auditor was relatively lowly, indicating that he had not yet been informed of the true mysteries of the religion.

Augustine became dissatisfied with Manichaeanism and transferred his allegiance to what had become the mainstream branch of Christianity. Apart from his Gnostic background, he was also influenced by Stoicism, Platonism and Neoplatonism. One of the concepts he brought into Catholic religious belief was that of original sin, which had its background in Gnosticism.

Augustine wrote on ethics and was one of the most influential early Christians in the development of ethical teaching. He taught a strong form of Unqualified Absolutism. Faced with biblical passages that seemed not to support some of his teachings, he was forced to dissemble and reinterpret the scriptures.

He opposed abortion at any stage of pregnancy, but considered that the gravity of participation in an abortion depended whether or not the foetus had yet received a soul. According to his beliefs, this occurred at 40 days for males, and 90 days for females.

Augustine was honoured as a Doctor of the Catholic Church in 1298.

Roman Catholic Answer

St. Augustine of Hippo is without doubt the greatest doctor of the Church, "a philosophical and theological genius of the first order". As such, I am remarkably poorly qualified to answer this question, but his influence on the Church from the late fourth to the early fifth century is still felt today, fifteen centuries later. After his conversion and baptism he fought heresies his entire life. He left the Church one of its great religious orders - the Order of St. Augustine, which is even older than my own order, the Order of St. Benedict. He also left us a plethora of writings which are still published and read today. There are three links below to three separate articles in the Catholic Encyclopedia which I would recommend that you read.

Of his writings, his Confessions: "of all the works of the holy Doctor none has been more universally read and admired, none has caused more salutary tears to flow. Neither in respect of penetrating analysis of the most complex impressions of the soul, nor communicative feeling, nor elevation of sentiment, nor depth of philosophic views, is there any book like it in all literature." Catholic Encyclopedia

Other autobiographical and correspondence includes:

The Retractions

The Letters

Philosophy: St. Augustine was a first rate philosopher who philosophy is still studied today. His works include:

Contra Academicos

De Beata Vita

De Ordine

De Immortalitate animae

De Magistro

St. Augustine wrote numerous apologies, the most famous being The City of God, which again is still a best seller.

He fought heresy his whole life and wrote numerous books against the following heresies:

The Manichaeans

The Donatists

The Pelagians

The Semipelagians

Arianism

He wrote numerous books on Scriptural exegesis, Dogmatic and moral theology, and pastorals and preaching.

All of the above books are enumerated in the Encyclopedia at the links below.

One final note, Protestants have had a mixed time with St. Augustine. From Martin Luther who admitted that justification by faith alone was not found in St. Augustine works (justification by faith alone is the founding principle of all Protestantism). Nevertheless Protestants have historically tried to make St. Augustine into a proto-protestant and nothing could be further from the truth. St. Augustine was a Catholic to his very marrow.

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What is the last name of Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine's surname (last name) would be "Of Hippo" because that's where he resided. Surnames that were family names like Hall, or Smith, or Kemp were not in use until 1375, and Saint Augustine lived from 354-430 A.D.


What is a significant place in life of Saint Augustine?

One significant place in the life of Saint Augustine is Hippo Regius, where he became Bishop and served for over thirty years. It was in Hippo that Augustine wrote many of his philosophical and theological works, and where he played a key role in defending and developing Christian doctrine. Augustine's presence in Hippo also had a lasting impact on the local Christian community and the wider Church.


What symbols are associated with Saint Augustine of Hippo?

Saint Augustine of Hippo is often symbolized by symbols such as a heart pierced with arrows, a book or pen representing his writings and intellectual contributions, and a bishop's staff signifying his role as a bishop in the Catholic Church.


Where did Saint Monica teach?

I can find no indication that St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo, was ever a teacher.


How did Saint Augustine spread the word of Christianity?

Saint Augustine spread the word of Christianity through his teachings, writings, and influential role in the church. He served as the bishop of Hippo in North Africa and played a key role in the spread and development of Christianity in the Western Roman Empire. Augustine's theological works and teachings on topics such as original sin, grace, and the nature of God continue to influence Christian thought today.

Related Questions

Which position was Saint Augustine of Hippo?

Saint Augustine of Hippo was a bishop in the Christian church.


Which Saint Augustine is Saint Augustine Florida named for?

Augustine of Hippo


What was the name of Saint Augustine of Hippo's mother?

Saint Augustine of Hippo's mother was St. Monica.


What was St. Augustine of Hippos's mother's name?

If you are referring to Augustine of Hippo's mother's her name was "Saint Monica".


When and where did Saint Augustine of Hippo die?

Saint Augustine of Hippo died on August 28, 430 at the age of 75. He died of a fever in Hippo.


What is the story of Saint Augustine Aquinas?

There is no such saint. There is a Thomas Aquinas and an Augustine of Hippo but no Saint Augustine Aquinas.


Who wrote the 'Confessions of Saint Augustine'?

The 'Confessions of Saint Augustine' was written by Saint Augustine of Hippo, a Christian theologian and philosopher in the 4th century. It is considered one of the most important works in Western literature.


Who was the son of Saint Augustine of Hippo?

The son of Saint Augustine of Hippo was named Adeodatus. Augustine had Adeodatus with a woman before he converted to Christianity. Adeodatus is mentioned in Augustine's writings and was influential in his father's spiritual journey.


What is the feast day of Saint Augustine of Hippo?

The feast day of Saint Augustine of Hippo is August 28.


Why is Saint Augustine known as Augustine of Hippo?

Saint Augustine is known as Augustine of Hippo because he was the bishop of Hippo Regius, a city in North Africa. He spent much of his life in Hippo and is closely associated with the city due to his leadership there and the impact he had on the Christian community.


Is Saint Augustine grass named after Saint Augustine of Hippo or the city of Saint Augustine Florida?

Probably St Augustine of Hippo because it invades everywhere and chokes out anything in it's path.. Amen - lol


How did saint augustine of hippo become a saint?

He was appointed bishop of Hippo by the pope in 395.