Augustine on the Christian Life: Transformed by the Power of God (Theologians on the Christian Life)

“Augustine told us that only God can be enjoyed for his own sake; all others must be considered as they relate to God. How fitting that Gerald Bray leads us to consider Augustine not for his own sake, but as a gateway to a vision of the one true God and the life lived more deeply in his triune presence. With a teachers wisdom and a scholars facility with the primary texts, Bray helps guide readers more deeply into the Christian life through the great bishops interaction with a host of challengesreal, cruel threats to Christian faithfulnessranging from the Manichaeans to the Donatists and the Pelagians. Take up and read, and let Bray take you to school.”

“Gerald Bray gives us a richly informative and richly edifying introduction to Augustine and his teaching on the Christian life. It will enable those who have read very little of Augustine, as well as those much more familiar with him, to see Augustine as he would have wanted to be seen: a sinner saved by grace seeking to teach faithfully what he found in the Scriptures. Augustines specific devotional teaching is placed in the context of his mammoth contribution to Christian theology and Western civilization more generally. The accessibility of this introduction belies the depth of scholarship, which becomes evident in the footnotes and bibliography. Here is a sure-footed guide to the thinking of one of the greatest minds in the history of the Christian church.”

“Gerald Bray accomplishes an improbable task with this remarkable book on Augustines view of the Christian life. Bray surveys the voluminous and brilliant contributions from the bishop of Hippo and presents them in a readable and understandable manner. In doing so, he provides us with an edifying, informative, and helpful resource for students, historians, theologians, and church leaders alike. It is a joyful privilege to recommend this excellent addition to Crossways Theologians on the Christian Life series.”