St. Augustine of Hippo - The Works of St. Augustine

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the sources, writing methods, major treatises, period-specific writings, theological works, exegetical works, and sermon categories of St. Augustine of Hippo.

The Retractations (Retractationes, 426–427 AD)

A self-examination where St. Augustine reviews, corrects, confirms, or clarifies his own lifetime literary output and writings.

The Indiculus

A catalogue of Augustine's writings compiled by his close associate, Possidius.

Noterarius

A stenographer to whom Augustine dictated thoughts using Tironian shorthand notes, which were later transcribed into longhand for strict editing and correction.

Confessions (Confessiones, c. 397–400 AD)

An autobiographical work consisting of 13 Books examining human nature through sin, grace, and redemption, including a psychological analysis of memory and a mystical commentary on Genesis.

Concupiscentia

A key concept in Augustine's Confessions defined as disordered desire.

The City of God (De Civitate Dei, c. 413–426 AD)

A 22-book apologetic and philosophical work written after the sack of Rome that contrasts the Civitas Dei (love of God) with the Civitas Terrena (love of self).

Civitas Dei vs. Civitas Terrena

The two cities contrasted in The City of God, representing the love of God versus the love of self.

Providence (in The City of God)

The key concept describing God steering history independently of secular empires.

On the Beautiful and the Fit (De Pulchro et Apto)

St. Augustine's first written work.

The Dialogues

A series of works addressing truth, happiness, order, soul immortality, the existence of evil, and the Interior Teacher.

The True Religion

A work demonstrating that the Triune God should be honored through Catholic faith.

The Usefulness of Believing

Augustine's first work as a priest, which analyzes the relationship between faith and reason.

Against the Academics

A work written in Cassiciacum that refutes skepticism to show the human capacity for truth.

On Happy Life

A work written in Cassiciacum that locates true happiness in the knowledge of God.

On Order

A work written in Cassiciacum exploring evil and Divine Providence.

On Soliloquies

A work written in Cassiciacum exploring conditions for searching God and soul immortality.

The Immortality of the Soul

A work written in Milan containing supplementary notes to the Soliloquies.

On Music

A treatise written in Milan on rhythm and melody.

The Magnitude of the Soul

A work written in Rome addressing questions regarding the nature of the soul.

The Free Choice

A work written in Rome covering the origin of evil, human freedom, moral law, and God's existence.

On Discipline

A work written in Thagaste demonstrating ascending to God through material interaction.

The Teacher (De Magistro)

A dialogue written in Thagaste with his son Adeodatus on God as the Interior Teacher.

On the Trinity (De Trinitate, c. 399–419 AD)

A theological work exploring God as an eternal relationship of love (Father = Lover, Son = Beloved, Holy Spirit = Love binding them/Love Itself) using psychological analogies in the human soul.

Faith and the Creed

A dogmatic work focusing on the application of articles of faith.

Concerning 83 Different Questions

A collection of answers to philosophical, dogmatic, and exegetical questions.

Concerning Faith and Works

A dogmatic work proving that faith must be accompanied by good works.

Concerning the Presence of God

A work explaining the indwelling Spirit in the soul.

On Seeing God

A dogmatic work examining the possibility of seeing God physically.

Enchiridion (On Faith, Hope, and Charity)

A manual summarizing theological virtues.

On Christian Doctrine (De Doctrina Christiana, c. 396–426 AD)

Augustine's first work as bishop of Hippo, structured in 4 Books covering inventio (discovering scriptural meaning) and elocutio (teaching scriptural truth).

Frui vs. Uti

A key distinction in On Christian Doctrine between things to be enjoyed (Frui, i.e., God) and things to be used as tools toward God (Uti).

On the Genesis of the Manicheans

An Old Testament exegetical work that defends Genesis.

The Harmony of the Evangelists

A New Testament exegetical work defending Christ's divinity against pagan accusations.

Sermones de Scripturis

A category of Augustine's sermons containing expositions on specific Old and New Testament passages.

Sermones de Tempore

A category of Augustine's homilies for liturgical seasons, including Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost.

Sermones de Sanctis

A category of Augustine's sermons featuring commemorations of martyrs and saints, showcasing early Christian veneration.

Sermones de Diversis

A category of Augustine's sermons handling sudden local issues, parish discipline, or moral struggles.

Enarrationes in Psalmos (Expositions on the Psalms)

Augustine's longest work, which interprets the Psalms through the concept of Totus Christus.

Totus Christus

A concept translating to 'the Whole Christ—Head and Body speaking as one', used to interpret the Psalms.

In Iohannis Evangelium Tractatus

A collection of 124 tractates unpacking the Gospel of John.