The Rule of Saint Augustine

by Augustine of Hippo and Hugh of St. Victor

Book Overview

The oldest monastic Rule in the West

A giant of the faith, St. Augustine is well known as the restless searcher for truth. His life and the Rule he formulated have had enduring influence on the Christian ideal of the religious life. This is a new, modern English translation of the Rule from the original critical Latin text. An extensive Commentary elucidates its meaning and its relevance to those who follow or study it today.

Augustine's concise spiritual directions, based heavily on the Scriptures, cover such subjects as prayer, love and community, mutual responsibility, service, authority and obedience. He outlines the basics for exercising genuine love, the goal of all things -- indeed life itself. This brief but classic guide is as inspiring and applicable to the twentieth century as it was to Augustine's early followers. It clearly reflects his own vision and spiritual depth. As Van Bavel observes in his Introduction: We could characterize the Rule of Augustine as a call to the evangelical equality of all people. It voices the Christian demand to bring all men and women into full community.

The Rule of St. Augustine is, indeed, a Rule for all Christians -- religious and laity alike.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385232411
• ISBN13: 9780385232418
• Release Date: February 1986
• Publisher: Prh Christian Publishing
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Insight

This is a delightful little book. The insight of the introduction is wonderful, and the translation is faithful. The Rule itself is inspiring, and it becomes clear to the reader why Augustine has had such a lasting impact on Western monastic spirituality and, on a much broader level, Western Theology. This is a must have for any theological library.