The Journey toward God in Augustine's Confessions

The Journey toward God in Augustine's Confessions PDF Author: Carl G. Vaught
Publisher: State University of New York Press
ISBN: 0791486532
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 206

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Book Description
This detailed discussion of Augustine's journey toward God, as it is described in the first six books of the Confessions, begins with infancy, moves through childhood and adolescence, and culminates in youthful maturity. In the first stage, Augustine deals with the problems of original innocence and sin; in the second, he addresses a pear-stealing episode that recapitulates the theft of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden and confronts the problem of sexuality with which he wrestles until his conversion; and in the third, he turns toward philosophy, only to be captivated successively by dualism, skepticism, and Catholicism. Augustine's journey exhibits temporal, spatial, and eternal dimensions and combines his head and his heart in equal proportions. Vaught shows that the Confessions should be interpreted as an attempt to address the person as a whole rather than through our intellectual or volitional dimensions exclusively. The passion with which Augustine describes the end of his journey is reflected best in a sentence found in the opening chapter of the text—"You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." Interpreting this statement, Carl G. Vaught presents a more emphatically Christian Augustine than is usually found in contemporary scholarship. Refusing to view Augustine in an exclusively Neoplatonic framework, Vaught holds that Augustine baptizes Plotinus just as successfully as Aquinas baptizes Aristotle. It cannot be denied that Ancient philosophy influences Augustine decisively. Nevertheless, he holds the experiential and the theoretical dimensions of his journey toward God together as a distinctive expression of the Christian tradition.

The Journey toward God in Augustine's Confessions

The Journey toward God in Augustine's Confessions PDF Author: Carl G. Vaught
Publisher: State University of New York Press
ISBN: 0791486532
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 206

Get Book Here

Book Description
This detailed discussion of Augustine's journey toward God, as it is described in the first six books of the Confessions, begins with infancy, moves through childhood and adolescence, and culminates in youthful maturity. In the first stage, Augustine deals with the problems of original innocence and sin; in the second, he addresses a pear-stealing episode that recapitulates the theft of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden and confronts the problem of sexuality with which he wrestles until his conversion; and in the third, he turns toward philosophy, only to be captivated successively by dualism, skepticism, and Catholicism. Augustine's journey exhibits temporal, spatial, and eternal dimensions and combines his head and his heart in equal proportions. Vaught shows that the Confessions should be interpreted as an attempt to address the person as a whole rather than through our intellectual or volitional dimensions exclusively. The passion with which Augustine describes the end of his journey is reflected best in a sentence found in the opening chapter of the text—"You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." Interpreting this statement, Carl G. Vaught presents a more emphatically Christian Augustine than is usually found in contemporary scholarship. Refusing to view Augustine in an exclusively Neoplatonic framework, Vaught holds that Augustine baptizes Plotinus just as successfully as Aquinas baptizes Aristotle. It cannot be denied that Ancient philosophy influences Augustine decisively. Nevertheless, he holds the experiential and the theoretical dimensions of his journey toward God together as a distinctive expression of the Christian tradition.

Belgic Confession

Belgic Confession PDF Author:
Publisher: Fig
ISBN: 1623145422
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 48

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Book Description


Confessions of a Pastor

Confessions of a Pastor PDF Author: Craig Groeschel
Publisher: Multnomah
ISBN: 9781590527207
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
These refreshing confessions of a pastor will help readers live for an audience of One.

Confessions of a Bible Thumper

Confessions of a Bible Thumper PDF Author: Michael Camp
Publisher: Engage Faith
ISBN: 9781936672271
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 347

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Book Description
What happens when a devout religious conservative questions his own evangelical traditions using the Socratic principle, and follows where the evidence leads? ... This brutally honest personal pilgrimage challenges and encourages readers to rethink all things sacred and embrace a faith full of grace and reason.

Pure in Heart

Pure in Heart PDF Author: J. Garrett Kell
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN: 1433574926
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 181

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Book Description
Experience Freedom from Sexual Sin through the Power of the Savior Many women and men trapped in sexual sin believe willpower is the key to overcoming temptation, but your shaky self-discipline doesn't have to be the source of your strength. Sharing from his personal struggles, J. Garrett Kell explains that life-long transformation rests in the supernatural power of the Savior and the support of a local church. He offers profound insights into Jesus's teachings on purity and provides you with long-term strategies for your own pathway to freedom. Written for both men and women struggling with temptation, this book is a vital resource for the church, encouraging a healthy, empathetic community to help brothers and sisters in Christ resist sin. The goal isn't purity for purity's sake, but delighting in God and trusting him for ultimate victory.

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God PDF Author: Frank Warren
Publisher: William Morrow
ISBN: 9780061859335
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
For the past four years, Frank Warren, known as "the most trusted stranger in America," has invited people all over the world to send him creatively decorated postcards bearing secrets they have never before revealed. He has shared these PostSecrets on his blog, in an internationally traveling art exhibit, and in four electrifying and bestselling books: PostSecret, My Secret, The Secret Lives of Men and Women, and A Lifetime of Secrets. Warren's fifth book presents a never-before-seen collection of the most personal PostSecrets he's ever received—those dealing with life, death, and issues of faith and belief. The book lays bare the confessions of people at every stage of life, from every major faith (or from no faith). Warren's latest collection of secrets is his most profoundly moving yet.

Core Christianity

Core Christianity PDF Author: Michael Horton
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310525071
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
What beliefs are core to the Christian faith? This book is here to help you understand the reason for your hope as a Christian so that you can see it with fresh sight and invite others into the conversation. A lot of Christians take their story—the narratives that give rise to their beliefs—for granted. They pray, go to church, perhaps even read their Bible. But they might be stuck if a stranger asked them to explain what they believe and why they believe it. Author, pastor, and theologian Mike Horton unpacks the essential and basic beliefs that all Christians share in a way that is easy to understand and applicable to our lives today. And in a way that will make you excited to be a Christian! Core Christianity covers topics like: Jesus as both fully God and fully man. The doctrine of the Trinity. The goodness of God despite a broken world. The ways God speaks. The meaning of salvation. What is the Christian calling? Includes discussion questions for individual or group use. This introduction to the basic doctrines of Christianity is perfect for those who are new to the faith, as well as those who have an interest in deepening their understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms

Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms PDF Author: Chad Van Dixhoorn
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN: 1433582600
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 390

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Book Description
Understand Foundations of the Christian Church through These Historic Statements of Faith For centuries, followers of Jesus have used creeds and confessions to express their Christian beliefs. Summarizing key truths from Scripture into succinct statements, these words have shaped the church for generations and continue to teach and inspire believers today. Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms gathers 13 historic statements of faith—including the Apostles' Creed, the Belgic Confession, and the Heidelberg Catechism—into one beautiful collection. Each text includes an introduction from editor Chad Van Dixhoorn that explains its origins and significance to the early church. By learning and revisiting these timeless confessions of faith, readers can grow spiritually and learn more about Christian history. Great Resource for Daily Reading and Study: Includes early church creeds and major Protestant statements, historical context from editor Chad Van Dixhoorn, and a Scripture index Accessible: Useful for pastors and laypeople, seminary students, church groups, or anyone seeking to learn about the foundations of Christianity 13 Christian Creeds and Confessions: Includes The Apostles' Creed, The Nicene Creed, The Athanasian Creed, The Chalcedonian Definition, The Augsburg Confession, The Belgic Confession, The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, The Canons of Dort, The Westminster Confession of Faith, The London Baptist Confession, The Heidelberg Catechism, The Westminster Larger Catechism, and The Westminster Shorter Catechism Adapted from the ESV Bible with Creeds and Confessions

God'fessions 2

God'fessions 2 PDF Author: ‘Goke Coker
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1504908503
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 196

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Book Description
At a time when the world is steeped in violence and covered with encroaching darkness and strife, it is normal to respond with negative proclamations. But rather than create a world worse than what you already see with your mouth, its time to CONFESS the God way and bring light into every darkness. Lets Godfess and bring positive change with the fruits of our lips! Godfession is a daily prayer devotional with a topical approach written in the First person, which has the word and promises of God, and a faith booster. This book will help you help you cultivate an awareness of your spiritual blessings and the limitless power of God. Godfession 2 is second of four compilations of inspired confessions of Gods promises. This book will help you cultivate an awareness of your spiritual blessings and the limitless power of God as well as enable you grow stronger in your faith, as you establish the truth of Gods word over you and your household through declarations. Start Godfessing! Your Change is here!

Celebration of Discipline

Celebration of Discipline PDF Author: Richard J. Foster
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0060628391
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
In the twenty years since its publication, Celebration of Discipline has helped over a million seekers discover a richer spiritual life infused with joy, peace, and a deeper understanding of God. For this special twentieth anniversary edition, Richard J. Foster has added an introduction, in which he shares the story of how this beloved and enduring spiritual guidebook came to be. Hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality, Celebration of Discipline explores the "classic Disciplines," or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith. Along the way, Foster shows that it is only by and through these practices that the true path to spiritual growth can be found. Dividing the Disciplines into three movements of the Spirit, Foster shows how each of these areas contribute to a balanced spiritual life. The inward Disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study, offer avenues of personal examination and change. The outward Disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service, help prepare us to make the world a better place. The corporate Disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration, bring us nearer to one another and to God. Foster provides a wealth of examples demonstrating how these Disciplines can become part of our daily activities-and how they can help us shed our superficial habits and "bring the abundance of God into our lives." He offers crucial new insights on simplicity, demonstrating how the biblical view of simplicity, properly understood and applied, brings joy and balance to our inward and outward lives and "sets us free to enjoy the provision of God as a gift that can be shared with others." The discussion of celebration, often the most neglected of the Disciplines, shows its critical importance, for it stands at the heart of the way to Christ. Celebration of Discipline will help motivate Christians everywhere to embark on a journey of prayer and spiritual growth.