PULSE FINAL EXAM STUDY QUESTIONS ANSWERS WELL
UPDATED 2023
St. Augustine: Confessions
1. Drawing upon his own words, explain why Augustine came to write his
Confessions. In what way might his act of authorship be regarded as an act
of service?
Wants to show people who he is to convince them that he is
genuine; meant to stir people’s feelings
o The only real happiness is found in God and Augustine found
it
Act of service b/c Augustine shared his whole self for the sake of
the wholeness of others
Showing his wounds to God
o Remen—we serve with ourselves and our wounds (helping =
inequality)
Provides an example of how God’s mercy and grace made him who
he is now one who has been healed
o Tells us about his sinfulness and how God’s mercy changed
his life (flaws + transformation)
Before we repent God loves us, and he makes it possible for us to
face ourselves
Why should we believe what Augustine says?
o Truth comes out of love (that’s how he learned Latin)
o The struggles he went through are typical of human beings,
so to attain happiness you must find God
2. Augustine knows that God already knows all about his life. Why, then
does he address his Confessions to God?
Narrative = a story of God's greatness and of the fundamental love
all things have for Him
God must be thanked for his redemption
,3. Michael Himes writes that “the least inadequate expression” of love (the
agapic love of God) is a total self-gift. If that is so, how might the
Confessions be thought of as Augustine’s journey from total self-
centeredness toward total self-gift? Choose at least 3 episodes that are
important stages along that journey.
Cicero’s Hortensius philosophy altered his outlook on life; learned
true happiness and friendship
o There’s another meaning of life that Augustine doesn’t have
awakens a desire for immortal wisdom
o Augustine decides to give up his indulgent lifestyle and devote
himself to the pursuit of truth
Platonists learns a new conception of memory (soul rediscovers a
truth it knew before birth)
o Remember things differently than what’s in space
St. Ambrose teaches Augustine spiritual readings; converts him
to Catholicism
The Garden where Augustine has his conversion experience
o Makes the commitment to God (the truth that was already
within him)
4. Explain how the Confessions can be regarded as a narrative of his growth
in love.
Truth comes out of love; must listen in the spirit of love to know
what’s true
Used to love empty material goods, and learns to love what is truly
important to him (God)
Manichees aren’t who he thought they were
Our hearts are restless and he didn’t find peace until he found God
Early on: In love with being in love = selfish
o Becomes a self-giver when he writes this book later on he
becomes in love with God
o Serves with his darkness
5. Explain how the Confessions can be regarded as a narrative of his growth
in justice.
, Believes in justice in Aristotle’s sense justice as a whole; one
who is excellent in all senses
God makes people just so that they can do just things in the world
(ex: PULSE placements)
St. Augustine sinned and was saved according to God’s perfect
justice
6. Explain how the Confessions can be regarded as a narrative of his growth
in happiness?
Believes in happiness in Aristotle’s sense not good to pursue
honor, money, material goods, marriage
o Became wealthy but not happy
Story of the beggar (example of why he’s fragmented) envies
him b/c he is happier than Augustine
o Augustine feels despair that he can’t reach what he wants;
trying to be happy
How he’s been reaching his aims is false
Augustine knows he has empty hopes and desires
o Lists excuses to live a pleasure seeking life
o His life is dissatisfying
Finds happiness when he finds God (Book IX) becomes whole
o Gives up fame, honor, and money b/c these material goods
don’t fulfill him
o Feels that his mind is free of the cares that were troubling
him brings him peace and joy
o No more restlessness
7. Explain what Augustine means by “Confession.” What does it have to do
with himself, the reader, and God?
Augustine confesses his sins to God, who forgives him
Hopes that others will read this and follow the same path as him
(finding God to redeem themselves if they have sinned)
UPDATED 2023
St. Augustine: Confessions
1. Drawing upon his own words, explain why Augustine came to write his
Confessions. In what way might his act of authorship be regarded as an act
of service?
Wants to show people who he is to convince them that he is
genuine; meant to stir people’s feelings
o The only real happiness is found in God and Augustine found
it
Act of service b/c Augustine shared his whole self for the sake of
the wholeness of others
Showing his wounds to God
o Remen—we serve with ourselves and our wounds (helping =
inequality)
Provides an example of how God’s mercy and grace made him who
he is now one who has been healed
o Tells us about his sinfulness and how God’s mercy changed
his life (flaws + transformation)
Before we repent God loves us, and he makes it possible for us to
face ourselves
Why should we believe what Augustine says?
o Truth comes out of love (that’s how he learned Latin)
o The struggles he went through are typical of human beings,
so to attain happiness you must find God
2. Augustine knows that God already knows all about his life. Why, then
does he address his Confessions to God?
Narrative = a story of God's greatness and of the fundamental love
all things have for Him
God must be thanked for his redemption
,3. Michael Himes writes that “the least inadequate expression” of love (the
agapic love of God) is a total self-gift. If that is so, how might the
Confessions be thought of as Augustine’s journey from total self-
centeredness toward total self-gift? Choose at least 3 episodes that are
important stages along that journey.
Cicero’s Hortensius philosophy altered his outlook on life; learned
true happiness and friendship
o There’s another meaning of life that Augustine doesn’t have
awakens a desire for immortal wisdom
o Augustine decides to give up his indulgent lifestyle and devote
himself to the pursuit of truth
Platonists learns a new conception of memory (soul rediscovers a
truth it knew before birth)
o Remember things differently than what’s in space
St. Ambrose teaches Augustine spiritual readings; converts him
to Catholicism
The Garden where Augustine has his conversion experience
o Makes the commitment to God (the truth that was already
within him)
4. Explain how the Confessions can be regarded as a narrative of his growth
in love.
Truth comes out of love; must listen in the spirit of love to know
what’s true
Used to love empty material goods, and learns to love what is truly
important to him (God)
Manichees aren’t who he thought they were
Our hearts are restless and he didn’t find peace until he found God
Early on: In love with being in love = selfish
o Becomes a self-giver when he writes this book later on he
becomes in love with God
o Serves with his darkness
5. Explain how the Confessions can be regarded as a narrative of his growth
in justice.
, Believes in justice in Aristotle’s sense justice as a whole; one
who is excellent in all senses
God makes people just so that they can do just things in the world
(ex: PULSE placements)
St. Augustine sinned and was saved according to God’s perfect
justice
6. Explain how the Confessions can be regarded as a narrative of his growth
in happiness?
Believes in happiness in Aristotle’s sense not good to pursue
honor, money, material goods, marriage
o Became wealthy but not happy
Story of the beggar (example of why he’s fragmented) envies
him b/c he is happier than Augustine
o Augustine feels despair that he can’t reach what he wants;
trying to be happy
How he’s been reaching his aims is false
Augustine knows he has empty hopes and desires
o Lists excuses to live a pleasure seeking life
o His life is dissatisfying
Finds happiness when he finds God (Book IX) becomes whole
o Gives up fame, honor, and money b/c these material goods
don’t fulfill him
o Feels that his mind is free of the cares that were troubling
him brings him peace and joy
o No more restlessness
7. Explain what Augustine means by “Confession.” What does it have to do
with himself, the reader, and God?
Augustine confesses his sins to God, who forgives him
Hopes that others will read this and follow the same path as him
(finding God to redeem themselves if they have sinned)
