About the Contributor(s): Erich Przywara (1889-1972) was a Jesuit priest of German-Polish origin and a prominent Catholic philosopher and theologian of the twentieth century. He is best known for advocating the metaphysical principle of the analogy of being--analogia entis--as a formal principle of Catholic philosophy and theology.

Confessions outlines Augustine's sinful youth and his conversion to Christianity.

"The Confessions of St. Augustine" from Augustine of Hippo. Early Christian theologian and philosopher (354-480).

Great art Thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is Thy power, and Thy wisdom infinite. And Thee would man praise; man, but a particle of Thy creation; man, that bears about him his mortality, the witness of his sin, the witness that Thou resistest the proud: yet would man praise Thee; he, but a particle of Thy creation. Thou awakest us to delight in Thy praise; for Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it repose in Thee. Grant me, Lord, to know and understand which is first, to call on Thee or to praise Thee? and, again, to know Thee or to call on Thee?

Saint Augustine lived between 354 and 430AD--some of the most turbulent times for the Roman Empire. Augustine's life matched this turbulence for despite his early rejection of Christianity he eventually became a bishop and one of the most influential theologians and thinkers in church history. In the Confessions, Augustine tells his own story of his path from a Hedonistic and profligate lifestyle to the acceptance of Christianity and is one of the most profound, personal and honest autobiographies of all time. The last books of the Confessions and On Grace and Free Will place Augustine's own...

"King Alfred's Old English Version of St Augustine's Soliloquies" from Augustine of Hippo. One of the four great fathers of the Latin Church (354 d.Hr.-430 d.Hr) 430 d.Hr.).

"The City of God - Volume I" from Augustine of Hippo. One of the four great fathers of the Latin Church (354 d.Hr.-430 d.Hr) 430 d.Hr.).