Episode 100: "Late Have I Loved You (Augustine's Confessions, Books 9-13)" - Literature and History

Host: Doug Metzger
Release Date: December 30, 2022

Introduction to Augustine's Confessions

In the milestone 100th episode of Literature and History, host Doug Metzger delves into the latter half of St. Augustine of Hippo's seminal work, Confessions, specifically focusing on Books 9 through 13. Written between 397 and 400 CE, these books transition from Augustine's personal narrative to profound theological explorations, addressing timeless questions about time, memory, creation, and the nature of God.

Augustine's Conversion and Inner Conflict (Books 8-9)

The episode begins with Augustine nearing his conversion to Christianity. Metzger outlines Augustine's internal struggle between his worldly desires and his spiritual aspirations:

"Quote my two wills, one old, the other new, one carnal, the other spiritual, were in conflict with one another and their discord robbed my soul of all concentration."
[25:30] — Augustine, Confessions

Augustine's consultations with theologians like Simplicianus and his interactions with figures such as St. Ambrose play a pivotal role in his spiritual journey. Metzger highlights Augustine's vision in his Milan garden, where a divine intervention leads him to a transformative scripture passage from Romans:

"St. Paul had not in riots and drunken parties, not in eroticism and indecencies, not in strife and rivalry, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in its lusts."
[45:15] — Augustine, Confessions

This moment marks Augustine's decisive turn towards Christianity, culminating in his baptism alongside his friend Alypius and his son Adeodatus.

Exploring Memory and Time (Book 10)

Moving into Book 10, Augustine shifts focus to the intricacies of memory and time. Metzger explains Augustine's contemplation on how humans perceive and recall experiences:

"But what do I love in loving you? It's not the beauty of material things... It is something that space does not contain radiates... something sounds that time doesn't snatch away..."
[60:45] — Augustine, Confessions

Augustine introduces the concept of distention, borrowed from Plotinus, describing how the human mind stretches across past, present, and future, creating a complex temporal experience. Metzger underscores Augustine's conclusion that amidst this temporal flux, God remains the source of ultimate stability.

Creation, the Trinity, and Theological Interpretations (Books 11-13)

In Book 11, Augustine tackles the nature of time and eternity, arguing that God exists outside of temporal constraints:

"God persists immutably beyond the fluctuations of his cognition and memory."
[75:20] — Augustine, Confessions

Transitioning to Book 12, Augustine examines the creation narrative, affirming the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo (creation out of nothing) against rival philosophies like Manichaeism and Neoplatonism. He asserts:

"God has always existed, doing all things, including making time itself."
[90:10] — Augustine, Confessions

Book 13 sees Augustine integrating the Trinitarian doctrine into the Genesis narrative, retrojecting the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit into the creation story:

"I see the Father who made these things. Where the beginning is mentioned, I see the Son by whom he made these things."
[105:35] — Augustine, Confessions

Metzger highlights Augustine's efforts to reconcile Scriptural scripture with contemporary theological doctrines, reinforcing the Trinitarian view within the Old Testament framework.

Philosophical and Theological Impacts

The episode delves into how Augustine's Confessions serve as a counter-argument to dualistic ideologies like Manichaeism and Neoplatonism. Metzger explains Augustine's rejection of the notion that humans are internally divided by good and evil forces, instead emphasizing personal accountability and the unity of the will.

"To Augustine, our minds are our minds. They can become fractured and conflicted. They can shudder with internal debate between multiple alternatives."
[130:50] — Doug Metzger

Augustine's reflections laid the groundwork for future theological concepts such as original sin, positioning humanity's moral struggles as stemming from individual choices rather than cosmic battles between good and evil.

Reception and Influence of the Confessions

Metzger traces the reception history of Confessions, noting its modest popularity during the Middle Ages but its resurgence during the Renaissance through figures like Petrarch. The episode discusses how Confessions influenced Renaissance humanism, Protestant Reformation, and even Romantic literature, with authors like Rousseau drawing inspiration for their own autobiographical works.

"Augustine's ability as a Latin stylist and the very high quality of his prose have rarely been doubted over the 1600 years that the Confessions has been in circulation."
[200:15] — Doug Metzger

Conclusion and Transition to "City of God"

As the episode concludes, Metzger reflects on Augustine's enduring legacy and sets the stage for the upcoming exploration of his monumental work, City of God. He underscores the importance of understanding Augustine's Confessions not only as a spiritual autobiography but also as a foundational text in Christian theology and Western literature.

"In his early autobiography, Augustine doesn't pretend to have all the answers to all of his questions. It is enough that after the intellectual journey that occupied the first half of his life, that he has learned how to ask them."
[275:40] — Doug Metzger

Key Takeaways

• Augustine's Confessions, particularly Books 9-13, transition from personal narrative to deep theological inquiry.
• Augustine wrestles with concepts of time, memory, and creation, positioning God as the eternal and unchanging source amid human temporal experiences.
• He integrates Trinitarian doctrine into the Genesis creation narrative, reinforcing Christian theological frameworks against contemporaneous rival ideologies.
• The work had a dynamic reception history, influencing various literary and theological movements across centuries.
• Augustine's reflections on personal accountability and the mechanics of perception contributed significantly to the development of Western philosophical thought.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the rich discussions and insights presented in Episode 100 of Literature and History, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of Augustine's Confessions and its profound impact on theology and literature.