Confessions Essay, Research Paper

St. Augustine was a great figure in the past that illustrated, that his life had not always followed one path, other than the path to seek truth. His ideas concerning the “natural world,” as well as his beliefs surrounding Christianity were well written in his book “Confessions.”

In the Confessions, Augustine speaks articulately and passionately to the questions that stirred the minds of men since time began. Augustine encounters many aspects of love. These forms of love help guide him towards a relationship with God. Love and wisdom, the desire to love and be loved, and his love for his concubine, are all driving forces for Augustine’s desire to find peace in God.

Saint Augustine searched for the answer of a question that asked if love reaches out hopelessly and harmfully, how can it turn around to be productive and wholesome to the human soul? Love became a necessity for all people. For Augustine, the answer to this question was love. The first love was for the love of God. It must come before all other forms of love. Augustine states that, “The thought of you stirs him so deeply that he cannot be content unless he praises you, because you made us for yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you.” He expresses true deep feelings for his love in the Lord.

Augustine decided that he would love first all of God’s truth and all other things would find their place. Wisdom is an experience that touches Augustine very deeply. The love of Wisdom helped him to develop a different outlook on God and take life more seriously. In this love of wisdom both the love of heart and enlightenment of mind came together.

What I have learned from reading this is that St. Augustine had firm beliefs. “God is an omnipotent, perfect God. He is good. Theists accept this, and embrace it, for how else can they worship God and give their lives to Him unless He is good?” and this is quoted as you can tell from the book.