Why is Saint Augustine so important to western civilization?

Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430) was one of the most important Church Fathers. He was extremely influential on medieval Christian thought, and later among thinkers of the Protestant Reformation. His theological contribution to these great movements in Christian history is the primary reason for his importance to western civilization.

Augustine’s years as a priest and bishop involved copious amounts of intensely thoughtful writing. Accordingly, his personal psychological and spiritual journey is well-documented in his...

Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430) was one of the most important Church Fathers. He was extremely influential on medieval Christian thought, and later among thinkers of the Protestant Reformation. His theological contribution to these great movements in Christian history is the primary reason for his importance to western civilization.

Augustine’s years as a priest and bishop involved copious amounts of intensely thoughtful writing. Accordingly, his personal psychological and spiritual journey is well-documented in his literary works. After experimenting with philosophical theories and different religious traditions—such as Manicheanism, Neoplatonism, and Gnosticism—he realized his struggle in understanding the origins of human evil and the truth behind the Gospels.

In his most influential work, Confessions, Augustine addressed three religious problems in this regard: the problem of evil; the relation between body and soul; and the Christian understanding of sin and redemption. All of these are aspects of the same problem. Augustine’s method of inquiry involves many elements similar to traditional Greek philosophy, which broadened the scope of Christian thought.

Further reading: Slocum, Kay. Medieval Civilization. London: Laurence King Publishing, 2005.