Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 138:549 (Jan 1981)
Article: Augustine: The Bishop and Theologian
Author: Edwin A. Blum

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BSac 138:549 (Jan 81) p. 57

Augustine: The Bishop and Theologian

Edwin A. Blum

[Edwin A. Blum, Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary]

Who was Augustine? What did he do? Why is he important? Why study this man from early church history rather than others? What will one gain by reading his writings? Where should a person begin in trying to understand him? What tools or aids are helpful for Augustinian studies? The purpose of this article is to provide some answers to these questions. The writer hopes to stimulate more interest in Augustinian studies because of his conviction of the value and pleasure to be found in this area. Many evangelicals in America are acquainted with a few quotations from Augustine such as these: “Love God and do as you please”; “A man too busy to pray is busier than God wants him to be”; “You have created us for Yourself and our hearts cannot be quieted until they rest in You.” But much more can be gained from this great Christian.

Why Study Augustine?

Patristics is a branch of theological study which deals with the writings of the Fathers (patres). The Fathers are a group of church writers of the first several centuries of the Christian era whose authority on doctrinal matters is deemed of special importance. Evangelicals who hold to the authority of Scripture in theological matters have not been as motivated toward patristic studies as those in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, or Eastern Orthodox churches. Yet even evangelicals must wrestle with the

BSac 138:549 (Jan 81) p. 58

meaning of specific Scripture passages, and often a study of attempts by leaders in the past to understand those texts will aid pastors or students today. A brilliant example of the use of patristics may be found in Philip E. Hughes’ recent commentary on Hebrews.1 As evangelicals seek to formulate theological statements for their own times, the analysis or reading of a church father such as Augustine will often prove helpful.

Altaner, in his Patrology, calls Augustine “the greatest philosopher of the Patristic age and probably the most important and influential theologian of the church.”2 Von Campenhausen agrees with this assessment.

Augustine is the only church father who even today remains an intellectual power. Irrespective of school and denomination he attracts pagans and Christians, philosophers and theologians alike by his writings and makes them come to terms with his intentions and his person. He also has an abiding indirect influence, more or less modified and broken, as a conscious or unconscious tradition in the Western churc...

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