The weekend is a great time to make an ending (or a beginning) of reading book 1.
Book 1 naturally divides into three parts: a prelude, reflections on infancy, and school days.
Questions to guide your reading:
What impresses you about the prelude (1.1 – 5.6)?
As a modern reader, how do you interpret Augustine's discussion of the "sins of infancy"?
Is Augustine's confession about life as a schoolboy (8.13 – end) essentially positive or negative?
Feel free to comment here with reflections and/or questions as you read!
I found some of Augustine's writing about infancy and childhood humorous. It brought to mind a Mark Twain speech about babies: Speech On The Babies
I find your questions help me think more about what I am reading. I responded to your questions and I would love to hear what others think. Thank you. Mary Lou
What impresses you about the prelude (1.1 – 5.6)? (mls) St Augustine is spirit-filled. His questions encourage me to continue to seek and understand the love and mercy of God. I delight in St Augustine’s praise of God (positive reinforcement). And, St Augustine’s constant questioning allows me, in turn, to question myself and seek more longingly, the Grace of God.
As a modern reader, how do you interpret Augustine's discussion of the "sins of infancy"? (mls): I believe St Augustine feels no remorse of his state of sin when an infant, although he does show through his observations that a baby can become, in modern terms, a “diaper dictator.” However, his last sentence of Book 12 seems to reinforce his feelings: “I feel no sense of responsibility now for a time of which I recall not a single trace.”
Is Augustine's confession about life as a schoolboy (8.13 – end) essentially positive or negative? (mls): Augustine recognizes his talents but regrets that he found sin in his giving of pleasure and thanks to God’s creatures vs God Himself. Augustine recognizes in hindsight, as a Christian, all given to us is from God. The most pronounced and loving statement he related was that, foremost, “…it was your [God’s] gift to me that I exist.” And, in our existence, we must seek him. I also feel Augustine was a bit too hard on himself as a young boy. Through osmosis, we all learn to imitate those we love (or not); and we obey, for the most part, the wisdom of our elders. However, would not the “rite of passage” apply here of Augustine’s behavior? I would love to ask St Augustine what he thinks of this.
Plan to review your questions. THey are very thought-provoking.