Augustine’s Confession

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Augustine’s Confession

In Saint Augustine’s Neo-Platonic quest, he is trying to understand the mystery behind the existence of God, yet he was brought up in a philosophical world. His skepticism is evident as he used his philosophical reasoning to account for occurrences that happen in the world. At the time, he was faced with a clear dilemma as he tried to understand God being in a human body. He perceived himself as evil and wicked during his youth, but as he was maturing, and he embraced the idea of the existence of God. He is at an intellectual state that allowed him to acknowledge that Christianity is real, and it is for this reason that he opens his mind and embraces the faith. It is in his neo-platonic quest that he explains that Christianity is not a fallacy but a reality. Therefore, he concludes that truly, God does exist.

He explains this through an account of his personal experience. He sets out to find the root of evil, but his methodology is so flawed that, he almost loses himself in his search. He realizes that evil cannot exist on its own, as everything in life has a balance. He backs his stand by accounting for the numerous philosophical literatures that he has come across. Moreover, this was coupled by the fact that they were pagans who acknowledge God. Firmius’ failure to account for two similar horoscopes accurately causes Augustine to disregard astrology. He uses immaterial objects like sunshine for his reasoning behind God’s omnipresence but accepts that it is not in his place to do so (Chadwick 119).

Is his reasoning persuasive? Yes, it is. His own personal experience while trying to account for Christianity compels one to believe his reasoning. In order for a balance to exist, there has to be two entities. Evil cannot exist alone, and the nature of being good has to have an origin. Therefore, the conscious denial of God’s existence by humans means evil can be identified. He is influenced by Paul’s scripture writings so much that, he ends his quest, claiming that Paul’s work appealed to his emotive nature. In conclusion, the sinful human nature and pride make humans deny Christ.

Works Cited

Chadwick, H. Saint Augustines confessions. London. Oxford University Press. 1991. Print.