Confessions
(St. Augustine)
St. Augustine?s Confessions is a testimony of the life a fourth century person living in modern society. Augustine can be seen as a witness of the time period, and his writing provides a first person account of a world otherwise unknown. From the reader?s point of view, it is important to keep this text in circulation to understand the thoughts, ideas, and questions of ancient thinkers. From Augustine?s standpoint, this piece is important because in his attempt to figure out personal identity, he ponders essential questions of human nature. He wants to share his musings with the common man, in an effort of persuasion along what he believes is the right path. Augustine?s main question asks, why are humans so screwed up? We desire so much, lack control over our physical bodies, and don?t choose to do what we know is good for us. He presents a portrait of a human that is flawed at the core. Built incapable of seeing ?the good,? humans struggle with the consequences of original sin, unaware of the road to redemption. Nature has inherently messed us up so bad, that spirituality cannot be achieved without following certain rules. Augustine presents a first hand account of being saved, and uses his writing as a tool to reach the masses for faith in Christianity. Using the pear tree as a metaphor for original sin, Augustine shows that humanity is doomed to repeat the downfall of Eden. Stealing the pear had no value to him, and there were no external forces urging him to do it. There was no explainable reason, except that humans are flawed to forever use our free will for destructive behavior. Augustine preaches that humans cannot choose to be saved, but must witness God?s intervention. By controlling free will and focusing energy towards the good, a person can take the procedure so far, but only heavenly interception can truly bring a person to see truth. Augustine?s experience of crossing over had such a profound impact, that by writing this book he hoped to spread the word, and influence people to control free will and ultimately be saved.
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