Reason, Authority, and the Healing of Desire in the Writings of Augustine

(Hardback)

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Augustine identified reason and authority as complementary ways of learning the truth, and he employed both to explore such perennial questions as the rationality of faith, the nature of the good life, the problem of evil, and the relation of God and the soul. Eight writings of Augustine represent his application of these two methods to these four topics: On the True Religion, On the Nature of Good, On Free Choice of the Will, On the Teacher, On the Usefulness of Believing, On the Good of Marriage, Enchiridion, and Confessions. In Reason, Authority, and the Healing of Desire in the Writings of Augustine, Mark Boone explains Augustines theology of desire in this cross-section of his works. Throughout his writings and in many ways, Augustine develops a Platonically informed, yet distinctively Christian account of desire. Human desire should respond to the goodness inherent in things, loving the greatest good above all and great goods more than lesser goods. Above all, we should love God and souls. Sin, an inappropriate desire for lesser goods, is healed by the redemption of Christ.

Reviews

"Desires occupies a central place in Augustines philosophical theology and is the lynchpin for almost every topic that he treats. In Reason, Authority, and the Healing of Desire in the Writings of Augustine, Dr. Mark Boone provides a fresh look at this sometimes neglected and often misunderstood aspect of Augustines thought. Through a careful examination of eight works, Boone persuasively shows how Augustine has a Platonically informed yet distinctively Christian theology of desire, a theology that is evident in his writings that rely mainly on reason and in his writings that rely mainly on authority.This book makes a valuable contribution to our historical understanding of Augustines pioneering work in the field of desire as well as to our contemporary conversations about human eros."--Michael P. Foley, Baylor University -- Michael P. Foley, Baylor University
"Even by itself, Boone's introduction makes his whole book required reading -- especially by people who haven't read Augustine and don't know what they are missing. In the eight chapters, Boone undertakes a brilliant retrieval of eight Augustinian treatises, most of them now the province solely of specialists. Reading these treatises through the lens of Augustine's theology of desire, Boone shows why all Christians should be 'Augustinians' --called by Christ to a conversion of desire." -- Matthew Levering, James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary -- Matthew Levering, James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary

Author Bio

Mark J. Boone is assistant professor in the department of religion and philosophy at Hong Kong Baptist University.