RT Article
T1 Augustine's Conversion in his Confessions 8: Some Disputed Issues
JF The Evangelical quarterly
VO 90
IS 4
SP 326
OP 341
A1 Mills, D. Forrest
LA English
YR 2019
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1694164446
AB In his Confessions 7, Augustine of Hippo explained how he came to accept some biblical presuppositions via Neoplatonic literature. Confessions 9 ends with Augustine's baptism and the death of his mother, who had prayed much for his salvation. Between these two events, Confessions 8 focuses upon Augustine's inability to turn his will towards God in his own power. While Augustine's Confessions 8 remains the most cited section in his Confessions, it also has generated a lot of debate. For example, some scholars claim the book portrays Augustine's conversion, while others say it narrates his call to celibacy and the monastic life. Some scholars have even denied the famous garden scene occurred, claiming Augustine invented the tale for rhetorical purposes. This article looks closely at the various debates that have arisen over Confessions 8, ultimately arguing that Confessions 8 narrates Augustine's conversion, when God turned Augustine's affections completely towards him.
K1 Augustine of Hippo
K1 CONFESSIONS (Book : Augustine)
K1 Confessions
K1 Manichaeism
K1 Neoplatonism
K1 Paganism
K1 Romans 13:13-14
K1 WILLS, Garry, 1934-
K1 conversion narrative
K1 disputed issues
K1 fig tree
K1 garden scene
K1 monastic celibacy
K1 the fallen will
K1 Tolle lege
DO 10.1163/27725472-09004004