"Lord, I am telling these things in Your presence to my own kind, to that portion of humanity, however small it may be, which may chance to read these writings… And my object in doing so is simply this: that both I myself and whoever reads what I have written may think 'out of what depths we are to cry to You' (Ps. 129:1). For nothing comes nearer to Your ears than a confessing heart and a life of faith." (Augustine, Confessions 2,3,5.)
The Confessions can be profitably read and understood by senior school students.The first site mentioned below will assist them in this task. It is an on-line guide suitable for adolescents and older persons. It has been created for all who would like to attempt to read the Confessions for their own spiritual and moral growth.
The Confessions - The full text. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1101.htm
Study notes on the Confessions. One file per chapter. http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/confessionsaug/section1.html
Review quiz on the Confessions. Thirty multiple choice questions per chapter. http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/confessionsaug/quiz.html
"Which of my works succeeded more often in being known and loved than the books of my Confessions?" (Saint Augustine, De Dono Persev. 20,53.) Confessions 9, 1 Reflections by Augustine on his schooling. http://www.nospank.net/agstine.htm
Twenty eight quotes from the Confessions. Augustine produced an autobiography of remarkable richness and originality. When we read this work we realise we are in the presence of a powerful mind, eager to develop a logical understanding of itself without much concern for evaluation of the subjective experiences of others. Augustine created this work in the form of a conversation with his god. http://www.humanistictexts.org/augustine.htm
Reading Notes and Questions for the Confessions - Written about the year 398, the Confessions is a spiritual autobiography, cast as a prayer to God, and including introspection and self-analysis, autobiographical narrative, and relentless questioning. It displays a constant sense of awe at the grace and mercy of God upon one who had let such a sinful life. (Page numbers refer to Augustine, New York: Penguin, 1961.) By Robert Harris in 1999. http://www.virtualsalt.com/lit/augustin.htm
Augustine and his Confessions - A scholarly coverage by Sanderson Beck in the middle section of this large web site. http://www.san.beck.org/AB11-AugustineandRome.html
What Augustine Did Not Confess. A magazine article in 2005 by Jay Tolson. http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/jod/texts/usnewsreview.html
St Augustine and the problem of evil. Is God the author of evil or its helpless victim? St. Augustine's answer has been the most intellectually credible and emotionally satisfying solution to this vexing problem. By Greg Koukl. http://www.str.org/articles/augustine-on-evil#.VaENZvmqqko
Life of St Augustine of Hippo by Cardinal Gibbons. (3000 words) http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=horne&book=statesmen&story=hippo
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