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Book 7 Reflection
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Reflection on Augustine's Confessions, Book 7
Book 7 of "Confessions" by Augustine is definitely a valuable source that reveals his
intellectual and spiritual changes in his search from philosophy to Christianity. This journey
shows that human reason cannot grasp divine knowledge, and it underlines the need for faith in
the incarnate Christ. Modern readers may learn from Augustine's theological controversies and
his conversion to Christianity.
The Leap from Philosophy to Faith
The journey Augustine portrays in Book 7 concerns the process of moving from
philosophical contemplation to belief in Christ. This change becomes apparent as he struggles
over the existence of God and the emergence of evil. Augustine’s acquaintance with Platonism
offered him foundations to discuss the immaterial and spiritual nature of God which shifted him
from the physical kind of theistic view. Nonetheless, according to Augustine, although he
received certain valuable ideas from Platonism it did not sufficiently cover Christian truths,
especially the truth of the personal faith and the change it brings.
Reflecting on my own experience, this leap of faith is like a movement one makes during
a journey when a rational search for truth results in the discovery of the futility of such a pursuit
and the necessity of the act of faith. For instance, in philosophical debates about the nature of
existence, morality, and the universe, one is taken to the precipice of enlightenment, but some
questions remain unanswered. Often, a step of faith must be taken because some truths—like the
incarnation of Christ and the personal nature of grace—can, at best, only be apprehended by
reason. It parallels with Augustine's experience, where he comprehended that while Platonism
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provided some insight, he came to discover the Divine grace and Christ’s incarnation through
Christianity.
Encountering and Overcoming Inadequate Beliefs
This idea that Augustine plainly states that God let him encounter inadequate beliefs to
provide for him a secure refuge in Christian truth is a wonderful notion. He then discusses his
search for truth through Manichaeism and astrology as well as through other belief systems, all
of which left him dissatisfied. Such encounters were not pointless though, for it made him aware
of the flaws of such systems and made him ready for the time he would be presented with
Christian teachings and have to commit to them.
I fully agree with this idea based on my personal experience and the things I have seen.
Interacting with different perspectives and beliefs can actually help one solidify their observation
and firm up their beliefs. For instance, comparison of various philosophies or religious systems is
a good way to understand the specifics of the given religious system to embrace the strength and
work on the weaknesses. In my life, I have discovered that if I open my mind and learn from the
observations of others, I only become more accepting of my personal perspectives. It forms the
strong grounds of faith because it is only through rigorous scrutiny of other systems that such
faith will be strengthened due to their perceived logical inconsistency.
In Augustine’s case, his experience of Manichaeism, wherein good and evil are two equal
but opposing forces, caused Augustine to abandon it for the Christian perspective where evil is
considered the absence of good. Likewise, his involvement with Platonism was helpful in some
ways but was lacking when it came to the incarnational nature of the Christian faith and the role
of grace. Therefore this journey is in enabling one to wrestle with and within other beliefs in
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order to understand and therefore respect the richness and distinction of what is offered in the
Christianity fully.
Conclusion
Book 7 of “Confessions” can be seen as an example of the play of reason in relation to
faith in Augustine’s work. The story of Augustine’s conversion, which shows their transition
from philosophy to faith in Christ, illustrates the problem of reason in understanding the divine
and the need to take a leap of faith. His examples emphasize that such experiences are beneficial,
as they consolidate one’s own beliefs and might bring enlightenment. This reflection on
Augustine's journey offers a timeless lesson: although intellectual activities are desirable, they
provide us only with a door to faith, by which a person is infused with real knowledge and
insights derived from the incarnate Word. From Augustine’s story, we get to understand that
faith and reason do not have to be separate but instead are complementary ways to a more
complete truth.
