De Bono Coniugali / De Sancta Virginitate

by Augustine of Hippo, P.G. Walsh (Translator)

These two treatises have been neglected until recently, but lately there has been an outpouring of books and articles on the role of women in the societies of Rome and early Christianity. No new edition of these works has been published since 1900, and there is no contemporary English translation in print. This new translation and edition of the text will be of value both to readers who wish to consult the original Latin, and to those interested in the social history of early Christianity and the intellectual development of Augustine in his early years.

Genres: Theology, Marriage, Christianity, Religion, Catholic, Ancient History, Classics

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 400

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

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Augustine, and the patristics in general, are often characterized as having bizarre theological opinions around sex. The strength of this collection is that it allows Augustine to speak in his own words. This brings together five different works on marriage, adultery, widows, virginity, and celibacy. There is a short introduction before each work that provides helpful context which is useful in understanding why he would state something that he does. The translations are also accessible and easily readable, at least I found them to be so.

I was honestly surprised by what I found in Augustine's writings. He is incredibly consistent in his convictions around sexuality and there are far more based on the Biblical text then I was led to believe. His primary guiding force seems to be where Paul describes singleness as better than marriage. Since it is better, it is not just something optional but something all believers should pursue. This guides his opinion about sex inside of marriage, divorce, and the possibility of remarriage. I found myself agreeing with him more than I thought that I would originally, even though I do not buy into all of his conclusions. He also speaks far more highly of marriage than I expected.

Overall, I appreciated his pastoral heart. He elevates virginity but also warns against pride. I would recommend this work to anyone who wants to engage with the substance of what Augustine actually taught. It is worth digesting even for those who will disagree with everything he says.

[sch]

Reading with my dad, a new admirer of Augustine.

Regretfully I'm quitting this, too. Just not enough time.