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Augustine on the Christian Life






Augustine on the Christian Life by Gerald Bray

For all that has been written on St. Augustine, from Peter Brown’s excellent biography to the many monographs on his theology, few have given much thought to how the saint from North Africa influences believers in their Christian life.  In steps Gerald Bray, with his keen sense of vision for Christian history and the followers of Christ who have made dramatic impacts.  Bray covers much ground in this book on Augustine, from his conversion to his writings, especially his polemical and Trinitarian ones, with an eye at every point to how this man of God helps us to follow Christ as well.
The loss of a close friend is a time of much pain and soul-searching, such was the same for Augustine as he lost his good friend Thagaste.  Yet, it is in the response after the death that muc introspection came for Augustine.  Bray writes,

“The bitter experience of losing a close friend led Augustine to meditate on the meaning and importance of love. Love lies at the heart of Christianity and corresponds to the deepest yearnings of the human heart. Everyone wants to love and be loved, but in human life all relationships come to an end. Over time we lose those who are nearest and dearest to us—our parents, our siblings, our friends, and even (as in Augustine’s own case) our children. The only love that is constant is the love of God, and it is in his love that all other loves acquire immortality (51).” 

Although Augustine did not convert after this point in his life, what he found in the ways of Manicheanism did not satisfy his needs that only God could provide.  This point of loss, of searing pain, led Augustine one step closer to Christ. 

Bray does an excellent job at helping the reader understand Augustine’s concept that “outside the church there is no salvation.”  He writes, “The reason for this is that it was to the church that God had given the Scriptures and ensured that their message would be proclaimed in fullness and purity throughout the world. Schisms and heresies detracted from this mission, even if they preserved a substantial element of the apostolic teaching. Faith in Christ came by the hearing of the Word of God, and that was possible only in and through the ministry of the church.8 This is why Augustine said that it was impossible for anyone “to regard God as a merciful Father unless he is prepared to honor the church as his mother (134).”  Further, with the lack of literacy among the common people, the church was where people could hear the Bible, even if it was in Latin.  Part of Augustine’s remarks should be understood in light of his zealous love for the local community of believers in an individual congregation.  Augustine did believe that corruption happened inside the church also, but he saw the sacraments and the Word of God residing in the church.
With wisdom and grace, Gerald Bray gives us a book on Augustine that is to be commended to all.

Thanks to Crossway for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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