The Confessions of Saint Augustine - An Annotated Bibliography of Modern Criticism, 1888-1995

The modern scholarly verdict about the Confessions has been nothing short of sensational. This work documents the story of 20th-century criticism and praise for Augustine's classic, an ancient text that has grown in stature like few other Western classics. Disciplines such as psychology, literature, and religion, plus many others, all claim it as their own. The first chapter of this study puts modern Confessions scholarship into historical context. The other chapters are devoted to autobiographical studies, literary influences, philosophical interpretations, psychology, spirituality, and theological themes. Of interest to scholars and students in many disciplines.

At the end of the 19th century a new critical spirit of inquiry and scholarship helped to change how we think about religious texts. The new criticism uncovered problems with Augustine's Confessions; he may have dramatized events concerning his conversion to Christianity, for example. Yet, this work has proved to be relevant in the 20th century like few other ancient texts. That such variegated attention has been devoted to it is testimony to Augustine's enduring legacy. His stature in Western civilization is of the first order, comparable to Homer and Virgil, Plato and Aristotle, Moses and Paul.

List of contents

Foreword by G. E. Gorman
Preface
Acknowledgments
Modern Criticism of the Confessions
Autobiographical Studies
Classical and Literary Scholarship
Conversion Experience
Time and Other Philosophical Issues
Psychological Criticism
Spirituality and Reader Guidance
Structural Unity of the Text
Theological Interpretation
Index of Authors and Editors
Index of Titles
Index of Subjects

About the author

Richard Severson

Summary

This work documents the story of 20th-century criticism and praise for Augustine's classic, an ancient text that has grown in stature like few other Western classics.

Product details

• Authors: Richard Severson, Richard J. Severson, Severson Richard
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 25.11.1996
• EAN: 9780313299957
• ISBN: 978-0-313-29995-7
• Series: Bibliographies & Indexes in Re; Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies; Bibliographies & Indexes in Re; Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Miscellaneous; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; Religion, 20th Century, RELIGION / Christianity / History, REFERENCE / Bibliographies & Indexes, RELIGION / Christianity / General, RELIGION / Biblical Studies / General, c 1800 to c 1900, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, Christianity, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, History of Religion, Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts, The Early Church, Biblical Studies & Exegesis, Bibliographies, catalogues