St. Augustine: Letters, vol. III (131–164)
Overview
These letters, taken as a whole, present a vivid and fascinating view of life in North Africa at the beginning of the fifth century. In addition to the comments about ecclesiastical and episcopal affairs, there are also letters on various threats to peace and security common in this period of the late empire, on slavery and the growth of the slave trade, and on Roman involvement in African affairs, both ecclesiastical and civil.
There are letters dealing with moral questions and pastoral problems, in both marriage and the family, as well as in larger areas of doctrine and discipline in the Church. The conflict resulting from the end of the Donatist schism becomes clearer, as does the refrain of desperation stemming from an inadequate supply of clergy for parishes needing to be served. A large number of these letters illustrate the day-to-day worries of a fifth century North African bishop: clerical scandals, Church finances, people seeking sanctuary in a church (and the ensuing problems with the civil authorities), and disputed episcopal succession.
For The Fathers of the Church series in its entirety, see Fathers of the Church Series (127 vols.).
Key Features
- Useful for theological and historical study of the era in which Augustine lived and taught
- Includes background on both the author and the pastoral issues he faced
- One of 127 published volumes in a well-respected series on the Church Fathers
Top Highlights
“Those who have learned from our Lord, Jesus Christ, to be meek and humble of heart2 make more progress by meditation and prayer than by reading and listening. I do not mean that speech will cease to play its part, but when he who plants and he who waters have done the duty of their task, he leaves the rest to Him who gives the increase,3 since He made the one who plants and the one who waters.” (Page 170)
“And what so contrary as wise and foolish? Obviously, the distinction is that these took oil in their vessels, that is, they carry in their hearts an understanding of the grace of God, knowing that no one can be continent except God gives it, thinking that this also is a point of wisdom to know whose gift it is;1 whereas those did not give thanks to the Giver of all good things, but ‘became vain in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened, and professing themselves to be wise,’2 they became foolish.” (Page 134)
“According to the inward man, then, receive the words of understanding, for that is renewed day by day, even when ‘the outward man is corrupted,’1 either by the chastisement of abstinence, or by a spell of ill health, or by some mishap, or at least by the very onset of age—a necessary consequence even for those who enjoy good health for a long time.” (Page 171)
“These words Christ speaks in the person of His Body, which is the Church; these words He speaks in the person of the infirmity of sinful flesh, which He transformed into that flesh taken from the Virgin, ‘the likeness of sinful flesh’;10 these words the bridegroom speaks in the person of the bride, because, in a sense, He joined her to Himself.” (Page 70)
- Title: Saint Augustine: Letters: Volume III (131–164)
- Author: Augustine of Hippo
- Series: The Fathers of the Church
- Volume: 20
- Publisher: Catholic University of America
- Print Publication Date: 1953
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 412
- Era: era:nicene
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo
- ISBNs: 9780813215600, 0813215609
- Resource ID: LLS:LTTRSVLM3131164
- Resource Type: text.monograph.letters
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:18:09Z