Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

TIMELINE OF HIS LIFE:

• November 13, 354—Augustine born in Thagaste (modern day Souk Arhas, Algeria).
• 370—Augustine’s father (Particius) is converted.
• 371-374—Augustine studies at Carthage.
• 383—Augustine moves to Rome to teach.
• 384—Augustine moves to Milan where he came under the ministry of Ambrose and became intellectually convinced of Christianity.
• 386—Augustine is converted in August.
• 387—Augustine is baptized along with his friends in the Spring; his mother, Monica, dies in the fall.
• 388—Begins his monastic life as a Christian at age 34.
• 389—Adeodatus (his son) dies.
• 391—Augustine visits Hippo and becomes preaching elder at the church in Hippo.
• 396—Augustine is appointed assistant Bishop. In less than a year Valerius (the Bishop of Hippo) dies, leaving Augustine the sole responsibility for the church in Hippo.
• 397-398—Augustine writes The Confessions.
• 397-426—Augustine writes On Christian Doctrine.
• 400-416—Augustine writes On the Trinity.
• 413-426—Augustine writes City of God.
• 426-428—Augustine writes Retractions.
• August 28, 430—Augustine dies; 1580 years later over 350 of his sermons still exist, along with over 5 million words of writing in commentaries, books, letters, and other writings.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM AUGUSTINE?

1. Learn what matters in parenting.
2. Learn from his ‘God-entranced’ worldview.
3. Learn from to see God as our ‘sovereign joy.’
4. Learn about communion with others as a means of grace and a means of delight.
5. Learn that God can mightily use those those saved later in life.
6. Learn to glory in confession.
7. Learn from his love of doctrine as love of God.