Las Confesiones de San Agustín de Hipona - Key Concept Flashcards (Question and Answer)

A set of English-language, question-and-answer flashcards covering the key topics, themes, structure, historical context, and influence of Augustine's Confessions.

When were Augustine's Confessions written?

They were written between 397 and 400 CE.

What is the narrative focus of Augustine's Confessions?

A personal, detailed narration of his life from childhood to conversion, with reflections on the human spirit, sin, and God's mercy.

Besides a personal spiritual journey, what other roles does the work serve?

A philosophical and literary text that has profoundly influenced Christian tradition and Western thought.

Who baptized Augustine and when did this occur?

Ambrose of Milan baptized Augustine in 387 CE.

What happened after Augustine's baptism?

He returned to Africa, founded a monastic community, and was ordained a priest.

What are the main thematic topics in the Confessions?

Sin, grace, will, truth, and beauty.

Which famous fragment in the Confessions deals with the problem of evil?

The pear theft (the “pear incident”).

According to Augustine, what is necessary to heal the human spirit?

Only the grace of God can heal the human spirit and guide it toward well-being.

How is the work structurally organized?

Thirteen books; the first nine recount life and transformation, while the last four focus on memory, time, and interpretation of Genesis.

What topics are addressed in the last four books?

Memory, time, and interpretation of Genesis.

What is notable about the Confessions' literary style?

An early autobiography that blends Greco-Roman rhetoric with a spiritual language, and is one of the first autobiographies in history.

Which heresies did Augustine confront as bishop of Hippo?

Donatism and Pelagianism.

Name major theological works by Augustine mentioned in the notes.

The City of God and De Trinitate.

How does Augustine define time in Book XI?

Time is a feature of the mind: the past is stored in memory, the present is the act of attention, and the future is anticipation.

How did Augustine influence later thinkers?

His thought influenced later Western figures such as Luther and Aquinas, and inspired existential-minded writers like Rousseau, Kierkegaard, and Merton.

What is distinctive about the Confessions' relationship to readers?

It is presented as a direct prayer to God, creating an intimate, liturgical atmosphere and inviting readers to join in prayer.

Why are the Confessions seen as a bridge between classical and medieval Christian thought?

They merge ancient Greco-Roman rhetorical and philosophical traditions with Christian revelation, shaping the transition from antiquity to medieval Christian thought.