Confessions 3
Study Guide Questions for Book II, i-x
If you are looking for the beginning of the study for Augustine’s Confessions then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!
Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)
Light vs. Darkness, Happiness, Virtue vs. Vice, License, Beauty, Friendship, Forgiveness
Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)
According to Augustine, why did he take time to recall his “past foulness and carnal corruptions?”
What “single desire” did Augustine say dominated his “search for delight?”
What particular sin was Augustine consumed by in teenage years?
For what purpose was Augustine “recalled from Madauros?”
What was the status of Augustine’s parents in relation to Christianity at this time?
What would Augustine do “to avoid being despised” by his friends?
What did Augustine think was the reason why his mother didn’t try to calm his immoral behavior by pressing him to marry?
Why, according to Ausutine, did he steal the pears?
According to Augustine, what are the two main motives for committing crimes?
Augustine attributed to God’s “grace and mercy” that his sins had been melted “away like ice.” What else did Augustine attribute to God’s grace?
What did Augustine say he would have done concerning the pears had he “been alone?”
Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)
What did Augustine mean when he said, “Then the stormy waves of my youth would have finally broken on the shore of marriage?”
Augustine said that God was “mercifully punishing” him. How can punishment be considered a mercy?
What did Augustine mean by saying that his mother “had fled from the centre of Babylon, but still lingered in the outskirts of the city?”
Augustine said God’s law is “written on the hearts of men” in such a way that “not even iniquity itself destroys” it. What did he mean by this?
Why might Augustine have found pleasure in “doing what was not allowed?” Why does anyone find pleasure in this?
What did Augustine mean by saying, “no object of love is more healthy than your truth?”
What was Augustine’s point in his use of the analogy of “the healing of a sick man by the physician?”
What did Augustine mean by saying, “Friendship can be a dangerous enemy, a seduction of the mind lying beyond the reach of investigation?”
Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)
To what extent ought we to take time reflecting on our past sins? What good can come from this? What potential evils can come from this? Do you think Augustine’s approach to recollecting his sins is helpful? Why or why not?
Augustine’s parents were very concerned that he should “learn to speak as effectively as possible and carry conviction by my oratory.” What do you think should take precedence, or be of first importance, when it comes to raising children to be successful in their adult lives? What steps should parents take to try to guarantee their desired outcome?
Augustine says that he stole the pears “solely with the motive of stealing.” Do you think he is right in saying this or do you think he had some other motivation (even if he is unaware of it)? If you think he is right, explain why? If you think he is wrong, what other motivation would you suggest?
Augustine briefly discusses what makes people laugh in part ix of this reading. What makes something funny? Are some things universally funny whereas others are only funny to some? What would account for the difference between something universally funny and something funny only to some? Ultimately, is humor objective or subjective? Defend your answer with reason.
Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Proverbs 22:6. In light of this, what error might it be fair to say was made by Augustine’s parents? What should have been their greatest priority?