Theological Term of the Week: Augustine of Hippo

Augustine of Hippo
Bishop of Hippo, and “the Christian thinker who has had by far the greatest influence on the beliefs, practices, and spirituality of Western Christianity.”1  He lived from 354 until 430.

• From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. H. Needham, page 251: 

Augustine’s 34 years as bishop of Hippo make him shine out as one of the brightest stars in the patristic galaxy. A preacher, a practical Church administrator, a theologian, a mystic, a man of learning, a leader of the monastic movement, a writer of many books, and a pastoral counsellor: among the early Church fathers there were few who surpassed Augustine in these roles, and none who combined them all so successfully. He had no equal at all in the way he mingled passionate religious feeling with sharp and deep doctrinal thinking. The emblem that tradition has assigned to Augustine sums up his personality: a heart on fire, pierced by two arrows in the shape of a cross. Profoundly gloomy and pessimistic about human nature and earthly life, Augustine burned with other-worldly love for Christ and the heavenly country His cross had purchased for His people. To read Augustine (especially his prayers) is to have heart and mind lit up by eternity and ushered into the presence of God; down through the centuries, no other father of the church has had so many spiritual pilgrims come and quench their soul-thirst from the well of his writings. 

As Bishop of Hippo, Augustine became involved in several religious controversies. The two most important were with Donatism and Pelagianism.

Learn more:

1. Got Questions: Who was Saint Augustine of Hippo in church history?
2. Christianity History: Augustine of Hippo
3. Southern Equip: Augustine’s testimony demonstrates the grace of emptiness
4. Christian Classics Ethereal Library: St. Augustine
5. Christian History Institute: Augustine’s Life and Times

Related terms:

• Ambrose of Milan
• Athanasius
• Basil of Caesarea
• Cappadocian fathers
• Gregory of Nanzianzus
• Gregory of Nyssa
• Hilary of Poitiers
• Irenaeus of Lyons
• Jerome
• John Chrysostom
• Justin Martyr
• Monica
• Origen
• Sabellius
• Tertullian

Filed under Christian History

1From 2000 Years of Christ’s Power by N. R. Needham.

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Sunday Hymn: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name

Let’s go young this Sunday!

All hail the power of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown him Lord of all.

Crown him, ye martyrs of your God
Who from his altar call;
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s rod,
And crown him Lord of all.

Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race,
Ye ransomed of the fall,
Hail him who saves you by his grace,
And crown him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget
The wormwood and the gall,
Go spread your trophies at his feet,
And crown him Lord of all.

Let ev’ry kindred, ev’ry tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To him all majesty ascribe,
And crown him Lord of all.

O that with yonder sacred throng
We at his feet may fall;
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown him Lord of all.

—Edward Perronet

Other hymns of worship songs for this Sunday:

• God Moves in a Mysterious Way at The Happy Wonderer 

Selected Reading, July 17, 2021

 

A few good reads for your weekend.

One Brave Woman

Helene Kottanner — Medieval Thriller
An exciting true story leading to an ethical question: “Besides leaving us a riveting account of a daring mission, Helene Kottamer brings to light a dilemma that has puzzled believers of all ages, from the Jewish midwives in Egypt to the Christians who hid Jews during World War II: is it right to deceive or break the law in order to fight injustice or prevent a greater evil?”

A Classic

J. I. Packer’s Famous Essay on Christ’s Death
Have you read J. I. Packers introduction to John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ? I recommend it.

Some Definitions

General Revelation
Barry Cooper explains: Even if we had no Bibles, and no preachers, the psalmist says that God would still make his majestic beauty known to us through the skies, the stars and the sun.” 

Eventually I’ll add this link to the general revelation entry in the Theological Terms. But you might want to read it now.

The Difference Between ‘Disinformation’ and ‘Misinformation’
I’m linking to this mostly for the carrot story.

Two Hunters

Rabbit, run! Wolverine and raven tag team on a wild chase
I’ve written about how smart ravens are. Here’s a little proof.