Into Theology The Gospel Coalition Canada

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt cover book 6 of Augustine's Confessions. In this book, Augustine speaks about how temptations and enticements to honour and sex enslaved him. But in Milan, he hears Ambrose preach. And he begins to know God as he ought to know him.

We asked Dr. Coleman Ford to talk to us for a special episode on Augustine and friendship. While we dip our feet into the Confessions, we primarily talk about what friendship is like and how Augustine understood it. This episode is for anyone but especially those who yearn for deeper and better friendships.

In this episode, Drs. Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham continue their discussion of Augustine's Confessions. They talk through Book 5 of the Confessions in this episode. They speak of the limits of what we can know apart from the Bible, the nature of evil, and more! In the Book of the Confessions, Augustine goes to teach in Carthage and then Rome before getting to Milan. On the way to Rome, he abandoned his mother, but was with her again in Milan where he started attending services under the great Ambrose, bishop of the city. The book ends with him becoming a catechumen again. There's some interesting contrast between pride/ignorance, and the need for humility. Also rhetorical ideas about style over substance, with a nod to the Sophists in the Athens of Socrates' time.

In this episode, we talk about Augustine's view of friendship as well as how God illumines our minds. The episode focuses on Book IV of the Confessions.

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt discuss Augustine's understanding of God through his engagement with philosophy and Manichaeism. He came to learn how to follow the signs of God in his created order to come to know God who is, as Jesus said, Spirit (John 4:24). This episode covers Book 3 of Augustine's Confessions.

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt discuss Augustine's view of love (and more!) from Book II of Augustine's Confessions. We all come from God and return to him. But due to our sin and ignorance, we miss the mark. We turn what should be good into evil, our love is disordered.