Augustine of Hippo

The most influential Christian thinker in Western history.

Bishop of Hippo Regius in Roman North Africa, Augustine is arguably the single most influential theologian in the history of Western Christianity. His works—particularly "Confessions" and "City of God"—shaped Catholic doctrine on original sin, free will, grace, and just war for the next 1,500 years.

Verified Facts

• His "Confessions" (c. 400 CE) is considered the first true autobiography in Western literature. He unflinchingly documented his wild youth, his Manichaean phase, his famous prayer "Grant me chastity and continence—but not yet," and his dramatic conversion in a Milan garden.
• He developed the doctrine of original sin—that all humans inherit Adam's guilt through sexual reproduction—which became the foundational justification for infant baptism and shaped Western views on sex and the body for over a thousand years.
• His "City of God" was written in response to the sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 CE. Pagans blamed Christianity for weakening Rome. Augustine argued that earthly empires always fall, but the "City of God" (the church) is eternal.
• Both Catholics and Protestants claim him. Catholics point to his defense of the institutional church and sacraments. Protestants (especially Calvin) point to his emphasis on predestination and salvation through grace alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Further Reading

• Wikipedia: Augustine of Hippo
• Stanford Encyclopedia: Augustine

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