📖 Biblical Definition
Augustine of Hippo (354-430) was the North African bishop, theologian, and former rhetorician whose Confessions and City of God shaped Western Christianity for fifteen centuries. Converted at Milan in 386 under Ambrose’s preaching and the famous garden-voice "Tolle lege" ("Take up and read"), ordained priest in 391 and bishop of Hippo Regius in 395, he served as pastor-theologian until his death during the Vandal siege. Major works: Confessions (autobiographical theology), The City of God (philosophy of history against pagan attack), On the Trinity, On Christian Doctrine. He fought Manichaean dualism, Donatist schism, and especially Pelagianism — establishing the doctrines of grace the Reformers later recovered. Catholic and Protestant alike claim him; Calvin called him "my own."
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Bishop of Hippo (354-430); pre-eminent theologian of the Western church.
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Born in Thagaste (Roman North Africa) to Patrick (pagan) and Monica (Christian). Spent his youth in Manichaean and Neoplatonist phases; converted at age 32 after the famous garden scene of Confessions (Tolle, lege).
Major works: Confessions (autobiography and theological prayer), City of God (response to Rome's 410 sack), On the Trinity, On Christian Doctrine. Doctrinal opponents: Manichaeans, Donatists, Pelagians.
📖 Key Scripture
Romans 13:14 — "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."
Psalm 51:1 — "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness."
1 Corinthians 4:7 — "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?"
Ephesians 2:8 — "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often forgets Augustine's formative role; he is the theological grandfather of both Catholicism and Reformation Protestantism.
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Augustine's ‘Tolle, lege’ (take, read) scene in the Milanese garden has him pick up Romans 13:14 and convert mid-verse. The Reformers cited him incessantly on grace, predestination, and the bondage of the will; Calvin's Institutes is dense with Augustine.
City of God, written after Rome's 410 sack, redirected pagan grief into Christian theology of history: two cities, two loves, one earthly and one heavenly, intertwined until the consummation. The framework still preaches.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Latin name; African by birth, Roman by training, Christian by conversion.
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Latin Augustinus — venerable; from augere, to increase.
Note: distinct from Augustine of Canterbury (mission to England, ~604).
Usage
"Tolle, lege — take, read."
"Two cities, two loves, intertwined until the consummation."
"Both Catholic and Protestant traditions claim him."