Augustine was born in Thagaste, in present-day Algeria, and had a turbulent youth before converting to Christianity. He became bishop of Hippo and wrote decisive works such as the Confessions and The City of God. By joining Christian faith to Platonic philosophy, he became the most influential thinker of the early Middle Ages.
Core ideas
Evil is not a substance, but the absence or privation of good
Truth is within us and is illuminated by God
Divine grace is necessary for human beings to be able to do good
The tradition: Christian Neoplatonist
A Christian Neoplatonist uses the ideas of Plotinus and Plato to explain the Christian faith. Augustine is the great example, seeing God as the source of being and truth.
