St. Augustine's Confessions

De: The Great Courses, Ronald B. Herzman, William R. Cook

Narrado por: Ronald B. Herzman, William R. Cook

How should parents raise children, and how should schools educate children? Why are we attracted to things that are forbidden? What is time? How can we understand God, or the nature of evil? What is true friendship? To answer these questions, Professors Cook and Herzman look to the Confessions of St. Augustine of Hippo.

Over the course of 24 fascinating lectures, you'll study this great book's staggering influence on Christianity and Western civilization, seeing how it provided a source of inspiration for such noted thinkers and writers as Petrarch, Dante, and Martin Luther. Even though the Confessions is more than 1,500 years old, it still speaks to us and has the capacity to change our lives.

The professors trace the narrative of Augustine's early life and the key events that led to his Christian conversion at age 31. In a succession of stories that are as powerful as any in world literature, Augustine seeks to understand the same issues in his life that many people try to understand in theirs, arriving at profound conclusions that offer stunning insight into our psychology and morality and challenge us to become wiser and better people.

This course is a superb springboard and companion guide to your reading and rereading of one of history's singular books: one that will challenge and stimulate your mind and provide a framework through which to find true understanding, value, and meaning in your life.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

very good course

I thoroughly enjoyed this lecture. The lecturers have an excellent grasp of the subject matter

Wonderful

Both professors are great, super insightful! Would definitely recommend to everyone! Much more appreciation for Augustine now.

A Must before reading St Augustine's Confessions

I am ready to go back and re listen to the Confessions with an educated perspective. The professor delivered each lecture together in a balanced manner...one never over shadowed the other. I was skeptical if it could be done but they accomplished it with flying colors. If you are a fan of St Augustine or plan to read or listen to the Confessions --- this Great Courses offering is a must.

Fantastic Course!

Professors Herzman and Cook are the dynamic duo of historical Christian teaching and their lecture series are always the best. Their course on St. Francis of Assisi was my absolute favorite of all the Great Courses, but this one what's especially valuable to me since I struggled to understand Saint Augustine's confessions when I try to read it years ago. Educational, interesting, and enlightening in many ways for nerdy, less-indoctrinated seekers like me! (-:

Excellent Points from Two Scholars

Fantastic to hear Professor Herzman and Professor Cook's respective perceptions of the Confessions. The synergy created through their joint teaching was really powerful as they in turn underscored each other's points, and on on occasion offer counterpoints. Highly recommend.

Exceptional Accessible Introduction

So easy to track, understand and integrate into daily life. They plumb the depths of Augustine’s wisdom, while making it infinitely accessible to use in one’s daily life!

Amazing gift to all!

Augustine the Sinner then Saint

Herzman and Cook together, work so well in teaching about Augustine. Worth reading over again!

Better than reading the actual confessions

As a non-scholar, having the confessions taught to you by experts is more useful than actually reading the concessions in isolation

Just great...

What to say. Great mind I may say of humanity. Without Saint Augustine in history would be a sad present ...

Completely helpful

This treatment has helped me to make connections I otherwise would not have seen within The Confessions itself as well as to contextualize the work within history overall and within Christianity in particular. Having the two professors allows the lectures to elaborate on or to restate a point without being tedious, and the alternating voices helps the give the lectures texture and interest. Completely helpful, friendly in tone, and accessible.