Critical Book Review on saint Augustine - confessions - Essay Example

Augustine lived a hedonistic lifestyle in his youth and hence developed a close relationship with a young woman who remained his concubine for fifteen years and got a son by her named Adeodatus. By the age of thirty, Augustine had carved an enviable niche for himself in the Latin world. Bishop Ambrose was the key person to have changed Augustine’s outlook on life. It was in the summer of 386 AD, that Augustine became inspired after reading the “Life of Saint Anthony of the Desert” and that’s when he decided to convert back to Christianity, become a priest, follow celibacy and devote himself to God.

“Confessions” written by Saint Augustine, gives us a vivid account of the pagan life he had led as well as his spiritual transformation as a devout Christian. The word “Confessions”, take on two meanings – one is to confess ones sins before God and the other is to acknowledge the truth about God. Therefore “Confessions”, can be taken as praise and glory to God Our Father. Augustine takes us on a mysterious pilgrimage from paganism to the state of grace relying on God’s strength and magnanimity.

As in the words of Augustine, “they shall praise the Lord who seek him” (8) for “those who seek shall find him” (9) and “finding him shall praise him”…..(10). This is precisely what happened to Augustine. In Book One, when recalling the trouble he gave to his mother and those who looked after him as an infant. He recalls to mind how as a boy going to school he hated learning and used to get flogged by his elders. He was also given to gluttony, relentless lies to his parents and tutors and craved dishonest victories, often pilfering things from his parents to trade with other children the baubles they were willing to sell.

He is disgusted by his own ways and cries out in despair to the Lord saying, “Oh, God! Woe to the sins of men! When