The Confessions of St. Augustine: Modern English Version

I read the 'Confessions' while I was working at a large insurance company and needed spiritual inspiration -- that it certainly delivered -- big time. Like many of the greatest literary works it is so timeless that it still reads as if it were written yesterday. 'Confessions,' is an antiquated term for autobiography rather than a literal 'confession' as we would think of today. So don't be put off by the title. It is basically the story of a rather rowdy young man from an upper-middle class or Patrician family in ancient Rome. He is literally a Pagan by inclination, lifestyle, and religious belief in polytheism. He is heedless regarding questions of morality and devotes himself to a life of pleasure. The turning point of the story is when his mother converts to the new religion of Christianity and eventually persuades her son Augustine to do the same, but not her husband who is devoted to his Pagan ways. It is a real page turner and deals with questions of morality, faith and atonement that we all confront today. And culminates with Augustine becoming a prominent force in the Church.

I loved how he started out with a brilliant mind and the arrogance that often attends but in life and time he discovered faith and was humbled incredibly and walked us through his transformation. No less brilliant but his natural curiosity morphed into supernatural illumination of his spirit. Grateful for the read.

A lot of people say they dont like the last three chapters but they were my favorite!