Augustine of Hippo (/ɔːˈɡʌstɨn/[1] or/ˈɔːɡəstɪn/;[2] Latin: Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis;[3] 13 November 354 – 28 August 430), also known as Saint Augustine or Saint Austin,[4] and also sometimes as Blessed Augustine in theEastern Orthodox Church,[5] was an early Christian theologian andphilosopher[6] whose writings influenced the development of Western Christianity and Western philosophy. He was the bishop of Hippo Regius(modern-day Annaba, Algeria), located in Numidia (Roman province of Africa). He is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers in Western Christianity for his writings in thePatristic Era. Among his most important works are The City of God andConfessions.
According to his contemporary, Jerome, Augustine "established anew the ancient Faith."[7] In his early years, he was heavily influenced by Manichaeismand afterward by the Neo-Platonism ofPlotinus. After his baptism and conversion to Christianity in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to philosophy and theology, accommodating a variety of methods and perspectives.[8] Believing that thegrace of Christ was indispensable to human freedom, he helped formulate the doctrine of original sin and made seminal contributions to the development of just war theory.
When the Western Roman Empirebegan to disintegrate, Augustine developed the concept of the pre-Schism Catholic Church as a spiritualCity of God, distinct from the material Earthly City.[9] His thoughts profoundly influenced the medieval worldview. The segment of the Church that adhered to the concept of the Trinity as defined by the Council of Nicaea and the Council of Constantinople[10] closely identified with Augustine's City of God.
In the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, he is a saint, a preeminentDoctor of the Church, and the patron of the Augustinians. His memorial is celebrated on 28 August, the day of his death. He is the patron saint of brewers, printers, theologians, the alleviation of sore eyes, and a number of cities and dioceses.[11] Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider him to be one of the theological fathers of theProtestant Reformation due to his teachings on salvation and divine grace.
In the East, some of his teachings are disputed and have in the 20th century in particular come under attack by such theologians as Father John Romanides.[12] But other theologians and figures of the Orthodox Church have shown significant appropriation of his writings, chiefly Father Georges Florovsky.[13] The most controversial doctrine surrounding his name is thefilioque,[14] which has been rejected by the Orthodox Church.[15] Other disputed teachings include his views on original sin, the doctrine of grace, andpredestination.[16] Nevertheless, though considered to be mistaken on some points, he is still considered a saint, and has even had influence on some Eastern Church Fathers, most notablySaint Gregory Palamas.[17] In theOrthodox Church his feast day is celebrated on 28 August [16][18] and carries the title of Blessed.culled from Wikipedia
No comments:
Post a Comment