Following the Fathers

In this episode, we turn to Book VII of Augustine's Confessions-the moment where Augustine's mind begins to catch up to the truth his heart has been resisting.
After years of wrestling with Manichaeism, materialist assumptions about God, and false images of evil, Augustine encounters the insights of the Platonists and undergoes a profound shift in how he understands reality itself.
Book VII is a story of illumination without conversion-of seeing the light from a distance but lacking the strength to walk towards it.

In this episode, we dive into Book VI of Augustine's Confessions, where the struggle between spiritual longing and worldly ambition comes into sharp focus. Joined by friends, we explore Augustine's complex relationships. We talk about his philosophical influences shaping his thoughts, his hesitation to fully commit to the Christian life, and his friend Alypius's struggle with the lure of the gladiatorial games. Tune in as we follow Augustine's search for true rest in this episode.

In this episode, we explore Books 4 and 5 of Augustine's Confessions, where grief, ambition, and the slow unraveling of false belief begin to prepare Augustine for a deeper encounter with truth. Join us as we reflect on disordered love, the pain of loss, and the quiet, persistent work of God in the background of Augustine's life.

In this episode, I sit down with Garrett Berk to explore a paper that he wrote on Augustine and the Pelagian controversy. Together, we delve into the historical backdrop of this pivotal conflict in the early church, examining how Augustine responded to the challenges posed by Pelagius and his followers. Our conversation traces the development of doctrine in the Western church, unpacking key theological shifts that still shape Christian thought today. We also consider the lasting influence of semi-Pelagianism in modern contexts and why these ancient debates continue to matter.

In this episode of Following the Fathers, we dive into Book III of Augustine's Confessions, where Augustine begins his studies in Carthage and finds himself pulled deeper into worldly desires and philosophical questions. This chapter captures his inner turmoil as he seeks truth but becomes entangled in lust, ambition, and the seductive pull of theater and rhetoric. He also encounters the Manichaeans, a religious sect that would shape his thinking for years to come. Through all of this, we see a young Augustine searching--often in the wrong places--for meaning, fulfillment, and ultimately, God. Join us as we explore his journey and the powerful insights it offers for our own struggles with identity, purpose, and belief.
Special thanks to our guest, Garret Birk, for joining us today!