Augustine's Beliefs
What belief system does Augustine transition away from in Book 7?
Manicheanism
What noticeable change happens to Augustine's language in Book 7?
There is a decrease in Manichean vocabulary and an increase in Christian terms.
How were Neoplatonic teachings introduced to Augustine?
Through translated books of the Platonists from Greek into Latin.
What tool does Augustine employ to discover truth in Book 7?
Introspection and inward reflection.
What philosophy heavily influences Augustine's theological shift in Book 7?
Neoplatonism
How does Augustine's articulation about Christ evolve in Book 7?
He begins to express an understanding of Christ as the embodiment of God's wisdom.
What shift in belief about divinity does Neoplatonism facilitate for Augustine?
It introduces the concept of a single, unified source of divinity.
What does Augustine's introspection lead him to understand about God in Book 7?
An understanding of God's nature and his own human nature.
What is Augustine's new understanding of evil in Book 7?
Evil is not a force but an absence or lack of good.
How does Augustine's understanding of material reality change in Book 7?
He comes to see spiritual reality as more significant than physical reality.
How does Neoplatonism influence Augustine's understanding of evil?
It helps him see evil as the absence or privation of good.
What inward journey does Augustine go through in Book 7 to accept the notions of Christian faith?
A focus on inner spiritual truths over external phenomenon
Who does Augustine come to see as the embodiment of God's divine wisdom?
Jesus Christ
What tone does Augustine use expressing his discontent with Manicheanism?
Dissatisfaction and a sense of disillusionment.
How does Neoplatonism influence Augustine's perception of reality?
It shifts his focus from physical reality to spiritual reality.
How does introspection help Augustine realize his views about material goods?
It helps him see that desire for material goods is linked to a deviation from God's will.
What major religious conversion does Augustine make in Book 7?
He begins to fully accept and convert to Christianity.
What language does Augustine use to describe the concept of evil in his transformed belief?
He describes it as the absence or lack of good.
Why was Neoplatonism crucial for Augustine's understanding of Christian monotheism?
It offered a unified perception of divinity that resonated with Christian concepts.
How does introspection contribute to Augustine's ultimate acceptance of Christianity?
It brings him closer to the inner spiritual reality, thereby aligning him with Christian beliefs.