Augustine’s Confessions, though written around 397 CE, has remained as one of the most influential and widely cited books in Christian history and tradition because it not only provided much theological depth, but also conveyed it in such a way that ultimately helped Christians understand Biblical expository.
One of the main characteristics of Augustine’s Confessions (in Book 1 at least) is the way it addresses the relationship between the nature of the human soul and the nature of God. Augustine, thus, capitalizes on the problems of the human soul and emphasizes how that directly relates to God—his fitting role in the solution to the problem of the human soul. In fact, Augustine sets the foundation of this theme with the quote, “You made us for Yourself, and our hearts will be restless until it rests in You” (1.1.1). This quote, though simple in form and short in text, retains a wealth of insight into, and argument for, the nature of the human soul. Here, Augustine is arguing that the heart will always be restless until it rests wholly in God, because it was made for God in the first place. This statement seems to shape Christian theology and thought and doctrine in such a way that might suggest an air of Christian hedonism—a Christian life that is defined by utmost comfort, peace, and satisfaction in one’s spiritual life, finding its promised fulfillment in only God. Indeed, some verses that parallel Augustine’s quote above include:
“In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” –Psalm 16:11
“You have made known to me the paths of life; You will make me full of gladness with Your presence” –Acts 2:28
Augustine’s foundational direction for this book may have contributed to helping followers of Jesus better understand the nature and problem of the human heart and God’s capacity and desire to fulfill it. In fact, Augustine’s quote above is still incorporated into the writings and speeches of many Christian theologians and authors today. Therefore, one can infer that Augustine’s work greatly influenced early, developing Christian thought in how present-day Christianity still widely references his work.
Furthermore, Augustine continues upon the nature of the soul and the nature of God by explaining—in theological rationale—how they relate to one another, and how, in specific, God’s nature can only be the fulfillment of the human soul. Therefore, initially in his book, he argues that the soul is made for God and fulfillment can only be found in God. Now, as the book develops, he continues his argument of why and how the human soul can only find satisfaction and fulfillment in God. For example, Augustine explains that the way in which the human soul expresses itself and finds satisfaction is in its “affections”, what it “seeks”, and how God’s nature tends to “fill” (1.2.2, 1.4.4, 1.28.19). Some verses that also parallel this idea include some of the following:
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” –Jer. 29:13
“for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You”. –Ps. 9:10
“let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always” –1 Ch. 16:9-10
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” –Ps. 42:1-2
Indeed, he numerously references the nature of affections and their power to define the spiritual vitality of the individual. In fact, in 1.28.19, Augustine argues that it is “darkened affections, [that] is the true distance from His face”. And conversely, it is when the heart seeks after God that it becomes filled with his presence, as seen in the verses above (1.5.6, 1.3.3). And furthermore, Augustine continues to ponder how God’s infinite nature can fulfill and fill, and yet not lose a part of himself, or to be subtracted from altogether.
Augustine’s philosophical and theological reflections contain great insight and expository for how Christianity relates to the deepest issues of the human individual and reveals to them the Ends (Jesus) of their search for meaning and satisfaction.
