Why is Augustines "Confessions" so important?

The opening paragraph contains one of Augustine’s most famous statements about our relationship to God: “You stir us to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you” (translation, Chadwyck). In the first 5 chapters of book one Augustine shows man's utter dependence on God for all things even if man does not recognize that dependence, and underlines his own sinfulness and weakness - yet throughly praises God (which is a type of confession) for His beauty and kindness to him.

Augustine then talks about his infancy and God's knowledge. Even in infancy Augustine was in sin. God's knowledge is always perfect.He continues on into adolescence noting his introduction to Christianity and his almost baptism. When Augustine is a little older he goes to school and enjoys learning - but hates the Greek. He believes that his education tempted him to sin and run from God.

At the begging of book 2 Augustine is now sexually mature - but certainly not spiritually. He engages in more grievous sins, and eventually comes to the place where he tells us about his pear stealing from the neighbors tree. This is a second type of confession and here Augustine analyzes his motivations for committing the sin. As he grows older and moves around in search for answers to his questions, he ends up abandoning the Manachiees and is impressed by the wisdom of Ambrose. After constant prayer from his mother and being convicted by the life of St Antony he hears a voice say "take up and read" that directs him to Paul's epistles from this point on he leaves his worldly life and dedicates his life to Christ, but this dedication is not like that of Antony for he still has temptations with in himself on every level, and he still gives into them. More and more he shows the need for Christs intercession. Lastly, he considers the work of God in creation and makes a correlation between man in a three fold unity (Being, Knowledge and will) and the Trinity. After all he ends with an eschatological hope in the eternal sabbath.

Why this is so important, could be answered in many ways. The work is very comprehensive of Augustine's life and his belief. The work is also very "relate-able" to all men - of practically all walks of life. To my knowledge there is really no other work like it. Like the New Testament writers Augustine is freely self deprecatory, and in a fashion vindicates a kind of mediocre Christianity. Anyone can relate to the struggles that he has as well as the questions that he struggles through. However, the main points to be made about the confessions is what quality do they have to shape human culture for generations and secondly, do they posses the ability to transcend the culture and author himself.

Shape - the "Confessions" stand in stark contrast to the idea of Christianity current in other writings at the time, like the "Life of Antony" by Athanasius. Augustine writes about an inward struggle with sin and unashamedly owns up to original corruption and God's absolute sovereignty in our rebellion. For Augustine, only God can bring us to praise (confess) Christ properly. Whereas, the other types of holy man writings, and those that tried to define what the Christian life looked like - focused on the external trials that assail us, and they gave hope in man being able to transcend temptations and live very holy if not perfect lives. For them discipline is the name of the game of self improvement in order to please God and really promote self. For Augustine - God alone is to be praised and adored. His life is marked by very real struggle with the inner man, with memory - both good and bad. He does not focus on discipline per-se but on grace filled reflection. This kind of reflection enables the reader to be mobilized in there walk with Christ. It is not unrealistic - but rather super-realistic and easily inculcated. The confessions are not with out their hero - for that clearly is Christ, and thus the reader is encouraged with the state of their live no matter what has been the case.

Transcendance - it goes with out saying that such a book could be appropriate for all times and all cultures. In fact, next to the Bible, the Confessions are probably the most transcendent of culture of any book ever written. When reading the book it very easily transports itself to your own life and situation. It calls back memories of past sins and God's grace. It hold up the mirror of God's grace and exposes the readers life as well. We can assume this is why Augustine is selective in the sins that he muses on. Sins like stealing the pears from a neighbors tree, which though not every one will relate to that specific sin, all can easily sympathize with it. It is neither too gross nor too trite, but rather common, and especially helpful in discussing motive with out truly getting stuck on the sin itself.

Effect - these basic elements of the book allow for a wide and powerful effect to be taken from the book, which can be personally helpful, but also culturally beneficial. Where man is not placed against a standard of unrealistic ideal but placed in the presence of a powerful and gracious God - law's can be made; relationship may be built, and I dare say that peace may be maintained (at least somewhat)