Augustine: A Guide for the Perplexed

Description

This is a student's guide to the life and work of Augustine; a notoriously challenging thinker, widely read in Philosophy and Christian Theology. The book provides a concise and coherent overview of Augustine, introducing all the key concepts and themes, and is ideal for undergraduates who require more than just a simple introduction to his work and thought.

James Wetzel is Professor of Philosophy at Villanova University, USA and holder of the Augustinian Endowed Chair in the Thought of Saint Augustine.

"Writing for the "perplexed", whether they be philosopher or theologian, secular or religious, Wetzel makes Augustine our guide by helping us see how his passion for God is compatible with, indeed requires, knowing how to go on when you don't know where you are. Not only does Wetzel help us understand Augustine, but he helps us understand our inability to understand ourselves. Only someone who has learned from Augustine how to live without protection could have written such a beautiful book." - Stanley Hauerwas, Duke Divinity School, USA "Aimed at readers whose prior acquaintance with Augustine may be minimal or nonexistent, this book follows a guiding thread or two through the labyrinth of his polemical, exegetical, dogmatic and speculative writings. This is the ideal companion to the study of this most influential and challenging of thinkers." Zentrum Fur Augustinusforschung in Wurzburg, April 2010. Mentioned in 'New titles' section in The Church Times, April 2010. 'Wetzel successfully guides the perplexed and educates the ignorant' Methodist Recorder, August 19th 2010 'Wetzel appears theologian, philosopher and poet all in one, much like Augustine, and the prologue alone is worth reading for it's sheer literary merit.' -- Thoelogical Book Review Reviewed in Expository Times -- Ian Clausen, New College, University of Edinburgh * Expository Times *