Selected Works of Saint Augustine (Annotated) Volume 2 of 2

Selected Works of Saint Augustine (Annotated) Volume 2 of 2If Volume I established the inner sanctuary of the soul, Volume II of the Selected Works of Saint Augustine captures the great Bishop of Hippo in the trenches of the world. This fully annotated anthology gathers the practical, polemical, and pastoral writings of Augustine’s maturity—the texts where his theology of grace and love was tested, refined, and applied to the messy realities of human history and community.COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTSI. The Theology of Grace (The Anti-Pelagian Writings)A Treatise on the Spirit and the Letter: Explains that the law merely exposes sin, while the Holy Spirit provides the supernatural power to fulfill it.A Treatise on Nature and Grace: Defends the absolute necessity of divine grace against Pelagius, proving human nature cannot save itself.A Treatise on Grace and Free Will: Masterfully demonstrates how divine grace heals and frees the human will rather than destroying it.II. The Nature of Evil (The Anti-Manichaean Writings)Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manichæans: Defines evil not as a physical substance, but as the corruption or absence of a good thing.Of the Morals of the Catholic Church: Outlines Christian morality as the "order of love," where all earthly desires are rightly directed toward God.III. The Church and Sacraments (The Anti-Donatist Writings)The Seven Books of Augustin, on Baptism, Against the Donatists: Establishes that sacraments rely on Christ's holiness, remaining valid even if administered by a flawed priest.A Treatise Concerning the Correction of the Donatists: Defends the visible unity of the Church and explores the role of civil authority in preserving peace.IV. The Architecture of Faith (Doctrinal Treatises)On the Catechising of the Uninstructed: A practical teaching manual emphasizing that the biblical narrative must be shared with joy and love.On the Profit of Believing: Argues that faith is a rational and necessary first step toward achieving true spiritual understanding.On the Creed: A concise, foundational walkthrough of the Apostles' Creed designed to anchor the faith of everyday believers.V. The Discipline of Love (Moral Treatises)On Lying: A rigorous ethical study asserting that a lie is a fundamental distortion of the soul and can never be justified.On the Good of Marriage: Defends the domestic covenant by outlining the three traditional blessings of fidelity, children, and sacramental permanence.Of the Work of Monks: Corrects monastic communities by arguing that honest manual labor is a vital form of Christian humility and charity.On Care to Be Had for the Dead: Explores the spiritual benefit of burial practices and the mystical reality of the Communion of Saints.VI. Exposition to the PsalmsPenitential Psalms: Provides a template for the contrite heart, showing that approaching God begins with a humble cry of weakness.Psalms of Ascent: Reframes prayer as the spiritual fuel that helps the Christian pilgrim ascend from the earthly city toward heaven.VII. The Heart of the Bishop (Selected Letters)Letters III, IV, and VII (To Nebridius)Letter XXI (To Valerius)Letter XXII (To Aurelius)Letter XVII (To Maximus of Madaura)Letter XXVI (To Licentius)Letter XXVIII (To Saint Jerome) Read more