St. Augustine`s conversion to Christianity

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St . Augustine 's Conversion to Christianity

Introduction

Augustine , a brilliant young teacher , had matured into a formidable scholar and orator (Augustine of Hippo , Online Article 2007 , by the time he began attending a pre-baptismal course in his early thirties . Plagued by doubts and fears concerning his personal state of evil , and confused through his involvement with the sect Manicheism , which taught perfect duality between good and evil , he was searching for answers . Shortly after beginning the pre-baptismal course he was attending Christian services

, where he would sit under the teaching of Ambrose (Augustine of Hippo , 2007 . Following his profession of faith , he was subsequently baptized by the Bishop in 387AD

In considering St Augustine 's conversion to Christianity , this will be reflecting on the different attributes that enabled the young scholar to put his faith in the Bible 's message

Taking into account the aspects of the Christian lifestyle that Augustine found so attractive , we will be looking at the reasons that caused Augustine to change his lifestyle , and how these things affected his relationships with other people

An Attractive Option

The responses of Christianity , concerning the questions and doubts that plagued Augustine , were part of his attraction to the message of the Bible . Weighed down by sin , confused by evil in the world , and how all of that related to a God that was supposedly good , were all issues that burned within him . Augustine wanted to find Truth and he wanted some sort of release for his soul although he didn 't really know what that would entail . However , it was genuine answers that the scholar was searching for , not those that would just balm his conscience for a short while

The Bible 's teaching on the nature of man , redemption , the sacrifice of Jesus , and the forgiveness of personal sin , were adequate responses to his doubts , and were an undeniable attraction for Augustine as he continued his spiritual search - but were they true ? Could the grace of God heal him , redeem him , and cleanse him from his sins

Tormented by the heavy weight of his guilt , confused by his understanding of equality when contemplating good and evil , Augustine despaired of ever finding the right path to the Creator (Confessions Book 5 , Chapter XIV

But slowly , through the study of God 's Word , and the Holy Spirit 's power , Augustine 's search for the one true God became a reality when his spiritual eyes were opened . For in an instant , as I came to the end of the sentence , it was as though the light of confidence flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled (Confessions , Book Eight , chapter 12 The Letter Kills , but the Spirit Gives Life (Confessions , Book 6 Chapter IV

Ambrose was the perfect person for helping Augustine overcome any intellectual problems that he had concerning Christianity , which had been one of his main obstacles when considering the authenticity of the scriptures . Once these had been adequately...