Augustines Confessions Paper - 1340 Words

When one reads the word confessions, one would not necessarily associate it with the word narrative. Confessions seem to be more of something stated directly without any story-like element. They are also a more personal thing- one does not simply put them in a story form unless purposely intending to do so, because usually it is something that expresses guilt for something personal or is between the author and their conscience (or perhaps to themselves). However, there can always be an exception, like Augustines Confessions. It is written as a form of a narrative, even though the original the main audience for whom it was written is God, yet it is also intended to be read by anyone, almost as a didactic piece that sets an example†¦show more content†¦So one intention is that the narrative be for anyone to read and go off of as an example or guide to their own morality. This is also logical because if he were writing his confessions solely for God, he would have no need to pu blish it or share it with anyone else, and saying that it is not for God only further supports this intention. However, Augustine has another agenda- his confessions are also meant to show his praise and love for God. He says this in the fifth book with: Accept the sacrifice of my confessions by the agency of my tongue, which Thou has formed and quickened, that it may confess to Thy name... But let my soul praise Thee, that it may love Thee; and let it confess Thine own mercies to Thee, that it may praise Thee. This is a clear declaration of his praise to God, and almost another underlying message of the text to the audience. So as he is writing about his life, he is trying also to set an example to the audience about how his choices were not always the best and use this as a guide to their own lives. And finally through his story, use his conversion and change as a way to praise God to show that even someone who strayed off the path was able to redeem themselves and how merciful and good God is to accept someone even as sinful as he was. To bring this all together, Augustine uses details and parallels between some biblical references toShow MoreRelatedComparing St. Augustines Confessions And Confucius1065 Words   |  5 Pagesand Wednesday 7-8:15am 8 November 2017 History Term Paper Both St. Augustine’s Confessions and Confucius’s Analects are influential teachings that have a vast influence on people around the world in the ancient time and currently. Both doctrines discuss ethical values of society back during the time they were written and leads us to find some similarities between the two. 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