Who is Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine is a beloved fifth century African pastor and philosopher. He believed that fleeing the God of the Bible was really his attempt to find God in all the wrong things. He’s famous for saying that our hearts are restless until they rest in God. We call him a “church father.” Learn more about Augustine here!

Augustine of Hippo

Meet the beloved fifth century African pastor and philosopher. He believed that fleeing the God of the Bible was really his attempt to find God in all the wrong things. We call him a "church father."

Testimony

Impact

Books

Meet Aurelius Augustine of Hippo

Meet Aurelius Augustine of Hippo, a fourth-century prolific author, philosopher, and pastor in the North African town of Hippo Regis.

Searching for satisfaction in early adulthood, Augustine was a part-time pear thief, professional public speaker, and follower of peculiar philosophies.

Augustine’s mother Monica knew he needed to know the God of the Bible, so she prayed persistently and tearfully for her wayward son. 

One day in a garden in Milan, those prayers were answered. Augustine heard the voice of a child nearby repeating the phrase “take up and read.” So he opened the Bible—to Romans 13:13-14, which challenged him to stop chasing worldly pleasure and to start seeking Jesus Christ. 

After he encountered God through the Bible, Augustine spent the rest of his life writing about the truth he discovered in the Bible and pastoring his congregation in Hippo. Augustine wrote about education, politics, friendship, and sex, not to mention, the Bible. 

Because of his giant influence on our faith and culture, we call Augustine a “church father.”

THE LIFE OF AUGUSTINE

Birth

Aurelius Augustine was born in Thagaste, North Africa (modern-day Algeria).

Education

Augustine began studying rhetoric at the University of Carthage.

Religious Experience

Augustine joined the Manichaean cult for nine years. Manichaeans believed in a fight between good and evil, but in no authoritative higher power.

Culture

Emperor Theodosius I made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire.

Relocation

Augustine moved to Rome and became a professor of rhetoric in Milan.

Conversion

Augustine converted to Christianity. He was baptized the next year.

Honors

Augustine was ordained as a priest.

Career

Augustine became bishop of Hippo, serving until his death.

Writing

Augustine wrote his most famous book, Confessions. He also formulated his Augustinian monastic rules, which became popular in monasteries throughout Europe a century later.

Impact

Donatism, a wrong belief that valid Christian ministry can only come from a faultless leader, was outlawed in the Empire, largely through Augustine’s work.

War

Rome was sacked by Alaric of the Visigoth barbarians.

Council of Carthage

The Council of Carthage condemned Pelagianism, a heresy Augustine strongly opposed that taught humans are born sinless and can save themselves through good works.

Publishing

Augustine published The City of God.

Death

Augustine died during the Vandals’ conquest of Hippo.

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Testimony

Video: 3 Min

The Life of
Saint Augustine

by explainED.tv

Article: 10 Min

Augustine and
the Bible:
The Right Verse at
the Right Time

by Bibles.net

Quote

You called
and cried out loud
and shattered my deafness.
You were radiant and
resplendent, you put to
flight my blindness.

Augustine of Hippo

LIGONIER MINISTRIES

Heroes of the Christian Faith: Augustine

by R.C. Sproul, 21 Min

Image

Let us
behave decently
as in the daytime.

Romans 13:13 NIV

Verse

ROMANS 13:13-14 NIV

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Folk | Country Gospel

Late Have I Loved You

by Gungor

Message: 54 Min

Augustine, Sin

and Joy

by John Piper

Quote

When Augustine Encountered God

by Augustine of Hippo

Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you. And see, you were within and I was in the external world and sought you there, and in my unlovely state I plunged into those lovely created things which you made (Romans 1:21-23).

You were with me, and I was not with you. The lovely things kept me far from you, though if they did not have their existence in you, they had no existence at all (John 1:3, Colossians 1:17). You called and cried out loud and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you (Psalm 42:1). I tasted you, and I feel but hunger and thirst for you (Psalm 63:1). You touched me, and I am set on fire to attain the peace which is yours.

See quote source

Verse

2 CORINTHIANS 4:6 NLT

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

Contemporary

Alive Again

by Matt Maher

Article: 10 Min

Why Augustine's 'Come to Jesus' Moment Tells an Incomplete Story

by Han-Luen Kantzer Komline at Christianity Today

Impact

Quote

Our hearts
are restless
until they
rest in you.

Augustine of Hippo

Verse

MATTHEW 11:28-29 NIV

[Jesus said] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Article: 10 Min

Your Heart Is Restless and Augustine Has the Answer

by Bibles.net

Chill & Relaxing

Restless

by Audrey Assad

Article: 7 Min

8 Things We Can Learn From Augustine

by Gerald Bray at Crossway

Rock

Restless

by Switchfoot

Quote

To fall in love
with God is
the greatest romance;
to seek him,
the greatest adventure;
to find him,
the greatest human achievement.

Augustine of Hippo

Article: 7 Min

Why Read Augustine’s Confessions?

by Ryan Reeves at The Gospel Coalition

FIVE MINUTES IN CHURCH HISTORY

Augustine’s Big View of Reality

by Stephen Nichols, 5 Min

Article: 20 Min

Augustine and His Greatest Work: The City of God

by Gervaise Charmley at Banner of Truth

FIVE MINUTES IN CHURCH HISTORY

Augustine’s Handbook for Life

by Stephen Nichols, 5 Min

Article: 7 Min

How Augustine Loved the Psalms

by Benjamin Kandt at praypsalms.org

FIVE MINUTES IN CHURCH HISTORY

Augustine’s Book on the Psalms

by Stephen Nichols, 5 Min

Augustine’s Exposition on The Psalms

Online Version

Books

Book

Confessions

Augustine discovered that fleeing is really our attempt at finding what we are looking for. We are all searching for the God who made our hearts to be satisfied only in him. Journey with Augustine as he reflects on God’s tireless pursuit of him.

by Aurelius Augustine of Hippo | Memoir

Book Review

Book

Audiobook

Ebook

Book

The City of God

In The City of God Augustine defends the Christian worldview to his fifth-century contemporaries concerned about Roman opposition. Augustine explains the conflict between the City of Man and the City of God, answering deep questions about suffering, human nature, the problem of evil, and more.

by Aurelius Augustine of Hippo | Philosophy

Book Review

Book

Free Audiobook

Free Ebook