Augustine And Manichee Beliefs

Saint Augustine learns that everyone and everything is part of God’s creation (2,2). Augustine is now about 29 years old and he is still living in Carthage, but while he is living in Carthage he comes across a man named Faustus. Faustus happens t be a very respected sage of the Manichees (6,10). Augustine seemed to be questioning the long-winded myths of the Manichees because he was comparing his early readings of philosophy to their beliefs (3,3). Augustine had many debates with Faustus but to me it seemed as if Augustine couldn’t really get a word in or really question anything about what Faustus was saying (6,11). Augustine males some very interesting points regarding the difference between scientific astronomy and Manichee account of the

Augustine had left Carthage and had finally arrived in Rome. Augustine’s mother had accompanied him, but in order for his mother to let him go to Rome, Augustine had to deceive his own mother (8,14). Very soon after Augustine had arrived in Rome, he managed to get very ill (9,16). After spending some time in Rome Augustine had done a lot of thinking, and had come to the conclusion that he had accepted the Manichee’s disbeliefs towards Christ’s incarnation of human form (11,21). Augustine managed to get a job in Rome teaching rhetoric, although things went pretty poorly for him as his students seemed to be cheaters, would leave class early, and sometimes wouldn’t even pay Augustine for his teachings (12,22). While Augustine spent some time in Milan had seemed to be pretty open to philosophy and theology (13,23). Finally, towards the end of the book Augustine seemed to be waiting for a sign from God, on whether or not he should be baptized or

I think from the what I have read about Augustine he seems like he could be a very intelligent teacher. I have even related to him in a couple of stories that he mentioned throughout Augustine’s confessions. The reading made it sound like the students weren’t even respecting Augustine. His students seemed to be cheaters, would leave class early, and sometimes wouldn’t even pay Augustine for his teachings (12,22). I think that these are clear signs of the disrespect that the students were showing towards Augustine. I can see why he had a rough time in Rome and I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t want to teach again. I think that was a very hard thing to go through and Augustine is only stronger from that experience. “attempting either to take me back home with her or to come with me, I deceived her, pretending that I did not want to take leave of a friend until a favorable wind should arise and enable him to set sail” (8,14). This struck out to me because for me, I just couldn’t really relate to this part of Augustine’s book. I understand that his mother is very religious and everything, but I never would imagine that he would have to deceive her in order to go to Rome. I think that a mother wants what’s best for their son, I think Augustine truly thought that going to Rome would give him the answers he was searching for. I know I