Early Influences of St Augustine
St Augustine, commonly known as ‘Saint Augustine of Hippo’ was one of the most influential theologians of the fourth century. He is remembered as a saint who brought major change to the teachings of Christianity.
Augustine’s early life was surrounded by controversy and confusion, as he had an illegitimate son and was known for his passionate love affairs. It was during this period which he professed Manichaeism and Neoplatonism. Manichaeism encompasses the beliefs of an ancient Semitic religion originating from the teachings of Mani from Persia. It focused on Mani as the source of truth and the reality of duality. On the other hand, Neoplatonism comprised of the teachings of Plato and Neo-Platonism. It focuses on Plato’s theories, such as the forms and the soul. These divergent thought systems startled the teachings of Christianity and was seen as a tool for rebellion.
St Augustine’s Contributions to Christianity
The formation of Christianity is attributed to various sources, but St Augustine is known for his enormous contribution towards its development. With shifting political ideologies and the fall of the Roman Empire, Augustine’s different philosophical and theological views were utilized to reform the Church and overcome heresies.
His main contribution to Christianity was to religion’s’ utilization of ancient texts, namely the Bible. He believed that the Holy Book should not just be interpreted verbally, but should involve thinking, understanding and assimilating. As a result, Augustine encouraged people to delve deeper into the text and contemplate its meaning. The overall goal of St Augustine’s teachings was to maintain the fundamentals of Christianity, as he wished for his teachings to remain true to the original scripture.
Augustine’s Contemporaries
Throughout his life, Augustine interacted with various figures that were essential to the spiritual development that occurred at the time. For example, Augustine held a special relationship with the Pope of the period, Damasus. They worked together to rid the Church of heresies and focus on adapting Christianity to the evolving political climate. This period also marked the significant influence of Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa. These figures are remembered for contributing to Church in matters of piety, scholarship, and philosophical discourse.
Augustine was also faithful in his correspondence with Augustine’s contemporary, Jerome. They shared similar theological beliefs and discussed biblical translations diligently. Aside from his personal relationships, Augustine was also influenced by his exposure to works originally written by Plato and the Neo-platonists.
St Augustine and Original Sin
One of the most defining features of St Augustine’s theological beliefs was his interpretation of the concept of ‘Original Sin’. He believed that humans are born with an original sin that predates to Adam and Eve’s original mistake in the Garden of Eden. Augustine saw this sin as an inherent trait in humans, members of all races would be asked to repent in order to cleanse the soul and prevent a sinful life. This idea became one of the key principles in the church and is still practiced today.
The Development of the Term ‘Predestination’
The development of the Christian church was particularly influenced by Augustine’s theological views regarding salvation and predestination. Predestination refers to the idea that God determination who will go to Heaven or Hell before they are born, some being predestined for salvation and others predestined for damnation. This view was wildly controversial and was subsequently built on for centuries by theologians. This term was coined by Augustine who argued that those predestined for Hell have no opportunity for salvation.
Augustine’s Enlightenment
St Augustine was one of the influential figures in the formation of Christianity as it is practiced now, as he opened a pathway of exploring and understanding religious texts. He provided the Church with an opportunity to move away from paganism and encouraged scholars to look for deeper meaning, understanding and knowledge in religious scripture. This shift away from paganism and towards a more secular, rational approach is looked upon as an enlightenment period in the Church.
Augustine’s Theology
Augustine’s theology was rooted in the Old and New Testaments, but lead to his own interpretations that set up the basis of the modern Christian faith. He put forth an understanding of Bible that was more literal yet still rooted in an experiential knowledge. His ideas regarding Original Sin, predestination, free will and grace influenced the movement of the Church and affected thousands of people at the time.
Political Implications of Augustine’s Theology
Augustine’s theology had significant political implications, as the Church was now able to shed its primitive aspects and move in a more established, consensual direction. It was because of this, that the Church unified under the Pope and founders of the church, such as Constantine and Justinian, began to create laws and regulations. As A result, an organised society was established and intricate political structures began to develop.
Regional Impact of Augustine’s Theology
It was because of Augustine’s theology that certain regions displayed a more radical connection with Christianity. He tackled issues of conversion and emotional relations between Christians and unbelievers and developed a distinct version that was tailored to the local customs and beliefs. This version of the religion provided a way for it to grow further in that particular region and monks used Augustine’s teachings to further propagate the faith.
Impact of Augustine’s Teachings on Monastic Life
St Augustine focused heavily on a morally devout life and was very critical of pleasure-seeking. As a result of his teachings, many people dedicated themselves to a monastic lifestyle, embracing the philosophy of withdrawing from life to concentrate on attain closeness to god. This approach was embraced by St Benedict who consequently created an order of monks. It was indoctrinated in man-made laws known as the Benedictine rule and still continues to be relevant today.
Influence of Augustine’s Teachings on Art
St Augustine’s teachings were also influential in arts and literature of the middle ages. The influence of the iconography of Christian art was largely due to Augustine’s theology. For example, his idea of Original Sin is displayed in Michelangelo’s painting, ‘The Fall of Adam and Eve’. The deep understanding of religious texts allowed artists to create works of art that portrayed Biblical events with perfect accuracy.
Augustine’s Legacy
The legacy of St Augustine still remains today, as his teachings have taken shape in various forms across the world. Despite his controversial personal life and views, he still remains one of the most influential theologians of ancient Christianity. His teachings and philosophical work have predominantly shaped the ideas that modern day Christianity is based on. Aspects of his writings have been used in various creeds of present-day Christianity and are still held with great importance in the Church. The effects of his writings are not just visible in spiritual matters, but his ideas have casted a large impact on contemporary culture and the performing arts.
