Aurelius Augustine (354-430) was one of the church’s great theologians. Augustine converted to Christianity at the age of 33 due largely to the influence of his devout mother, Monica. His father, a prominent citizen in Numidia, North Africa sent Augustine to the finest schools in that city and in Carthage where he studied rhetoric. As a teacher, he traveled from Carthage to Rome to Milan. His search for truth led him to study the ancient Greek philosophers, dualistic Manichaeism, and Skepticism. In Milan he heard Ambrose preach and, after studying the Scriptures, he converted to the faith of his mother in 381. She died shortly afterward. He returned to North Africa and entered a monastery in Hippo. In 395 he was chosen as bishop, a position he held until his death. His powerful writings served to defend the faith against the many popular heresies of that time including the Donatists, the Pelagians, and the Manichaeans. His seminal works include The City of God, a philosophy of Christian history; the Enchiridion, a theological work; and Confessions, which told of his conversion. His influence extends to this day in both Roman Catholic and Protestant theologies.
