by John G Evans

Created on: September 21, 2009   Last Updated: September 28, 2009

Saint Augustine has vastly broadened the horizon of not only Western philosophical criteria for ethics but inherently lyes a particular evidence of 'truth' in virtually every word or phrase he has ever quoted that is rapidly growing throughout the corners of the world even amongst 21st century people as yourself or me. He has prominently become so well advanced in popularity even amongst a culture or society that may shun his intellectual capacity. Two of his well know Christian classics, "Confessions," and "City of God," are measured in terms of his in-depth studies from many valuable resources such as Aristotle, Cicero, Virgil, a neo-Platonists as he was greatly impressed by the Latin writings of Plotinus. This inherent conversion of his inner nature remained embraced by Augustine till he died in 430.

One has only to pick up and read his literature of omniscient, deeply comprehensive, and studious forethought to come to an unequalled understanding of what a great thinker, writer, Doctor of the Church, and theologian as well as a venerated Saint of the Catholic Church, Augustine happens to be. One thing that has not ever really been understood very clearly has been his fore-bearing knowledge and experiences with mysticism. Though this is where he actually becomes well known. For it is through a Divine communion of heart, mind, body and soul with that of which is Sacred and of the Spirit of Christ Jesus, that Augustine was to become inebriated from a shared surrender to the fire of the Holy Spirit, God the Father, and the Son, Jesus Christ.

The weakness of a man's spirit should tell us that in search of truth as Augustine was, that the deeper reality is that we must look from wihin ourselves to solve any external pressures this antiquated world will bring our way. He states when speaking on behalf of Truth, "He who seeks shall find himself in God." I am inclined wholly to believe and to understand this is not only great philosophical and theological writing, but a man of great depth and substance of soul.

Concerning virtue Augustine prolifically comes to the aid of a lost civilization seeking its roots in the great Spirit of God From Our Lord's great Sermon on the Mount Augustine presents us with another few though concise words of wisdom, "Nothing is more harmless than the man who is perfect in virtue," and here I would agree to interject, "or, at least tries." Statements as such are but a granule of sand left blowing in the wind of our already burning souls

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