Wisdom From Africa: Theological Reflections on the Confessions of St. Augustine

This book offers an in-depth analysis and theological reflection on the thirteen books of Augustines Confessions. It seeks to cover the major points raised by Augustine in his Confessions and discuss them in a way that will give insight and encouragement to the reader. This work does not propose to reflect on every section of every book of the Confessions but rather to discuss the major points noted in each book. In addition thoughtful questions are listed at the end of each chapter to stimulate further discussion and hopefully encourage personal questions as well. Because Augustines Confessions are an honest assessment of his failures as well as his final victory in Christ there is something for everyone in the pages of this work. A humane appreciative and historically contextual exposition of Augustines Confessions. Organized according to the stages of life Burris draws out the implications of Augustines experience for everyday living and pastoral care. This is at one and the same time a strong introduction to Augustines thought and a manual of practical wisdom. --Christopher Ocker San Francisco Theological Seminary; The Graduate Theological Union Berkeley Dr. Ronald Burris has combined his pastoral experience with his historical research to offer an accessible and lively introduction to the Christian spiritual classic Augustines Confessions. How did a brilliant hip disobedient and heretical African student end up as a Roman bishop and a saint? Augustine himself told the story of his past as a testimony to divine wisdom and love. Dr. Burris tells the story again to illuminate Augustines conversion for new generations. --Rebecca Lyman Garrett Professor of History emerita The Church Divinity School of the Pacific Berkeley Burris provides a valuable book-by-book guide to Augustines Confessions. In so doing he brings to light the inner logic of Augustines thought while offering insightful commentary on the text. The first-time reader of the Confessions the devoted student of Augustines spirituality and even those specialists who frequently return to Augustines classic work will benefit from Wisdom from Africa. --David E. Wilhite Associate Professor of Theology George W. Truett Theological Seminary Baylor University Ronald D. Burris is Associate Professor of Church History at the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley California. He is the author of Where is the Church? Martyrdom Persecution and Baptism in North Africa from the Second to the Fifth Century (2012).