Augustine Of Hippo's Accomplishments

Augustine of Hippo was born in Thagaste, Numidia (Part of the Roman Empire) in 354 AD. His mother was Catholic brought him up accordingly, to the best of her abilities. His pagan father converted on his deathbed. He became a teacher of rhetoric and grammar. In fact, he became the Rhetoric professor for the Imperial Court of Milan, which is pretty much as good as it gets. However, none of these achievements truly make him significant. His significance sprouts from not only his life, and his beliefs of our need for forgiveness and grace, but so much more than that. Augustine rejected the religious beliefs of his mother, while still a youth and lived a bit on the wild side taking a mistress at the age of 19 (who he ended things with later for an arranged marriage to wealthy 10 year old heiress) and joining cults. He continued to live like this until he was exposed to the teachings of Ambrose. Despite his intentions they strike a chord with him and give him a newfound understanding of Christianity. The witness Ambrose and other believers whom Augustine was friends soon began to draw him to Christ. Finally one day he was prompted by a voice to “take up and read [the bible]” He does and by chance turns to Paul's Epistle to the Romans to be exact this verse “Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof” He was baptized with his son …show more content…
He understands first hand our need for God’s grace and forgiveness. His very conversion is evidence of belief in God’s grace. There is, after all, no point in converting without it. St. Augustine indeed deserves his sainthood. His conversion, transformation, humility and work as a christian all contribute to his significance. The belief in the grace of God is obvious in him. His honest, authentic story inspires