Literature Network » Saint Augustine

Repent! (reaction to seminary sex scandals) (Column)

Content courtesy of

From: Commonweal
Date: 19940325
Author:Oakes, Edward T.

Nowadays most Christians labor under the impression that Saint Augustine was a rigorist. No doubt this is partly due to his strict sexual ethics, which arm-chair psychoanalysts too easily ascribe to an alleged "reaction formation" following his own mistress-filled past. But there is also his apparently harsh view of predestination and free will, with grace being absolutely necessary to salvation, yet restricted to the Christian dispensation--such an ironic and stingy position, it would seem, for the theologian who later became known as the Doctor of Grace.

But this is not how ...

Read the rest of this article with a Free Trial at HighBeam Research.

Other Articles on Saint Augustine

About Our Articles: We've partnered with Highbeam Research to provide these article excerpts for your research needs. However, due to copyright laws, we cannot publish the whole article. To view these articles in full length you'll need to use the link above to access the free trial at Highbeam.