Audiobook · read by volunteers
Enchiridion of Augustine
Saint Augustine of Hippo
Read by Darren L. Slider · 7 chapters · 2 h 59
About the book
The Enchiridion, meaning a handbook or manual, was written by Augustine of Hippo in answer to a request from a man named Laurentius, who wanted a short summary of the Christian faith. Augustine takes the three themes of faith, hope and love and gives them a compact, ordered treatment. He writes about God and creation, about evil and sin, about grace, about forgiveness and about the last things. For readers interested in the origins of western theology, the book offers a concentrated version of ideas found in his larger works. Seven sections, read by one volunteer, last about three hours. They suit anyone curious about early Christian thought, whether as a student of history, philosophy or religion, or as a believer looking for a clear exposition from one of the most influential writers of the early church.
Introduction
Augustine of Hippo, who lived from 354 to 430, was a bishop in North Africa and one of the most influential thinkers in the history of Christianity. His Confessions and The City of God are widely read, and his ideas on grace, free will and the human heart helped shape both Catholic and Protestant theology.
The Enchiridion, also called Faith, Hope and Love, is a compact treatise written in response to an otherwise unknown person named Laurentius. It is a late work, written when Augustine was an elderly bishop, and it brings together his views in a form that was meant to be used as a handbook. The English version in this recording is a nineteenth-century translation.
The LibriVox recording is divided into seven sections: the first three cover chapters 1 to 17, 18 to 33 and 34 to 53, and the rest continue through the work. The reading lasts about three hours and is done by one volunteer. The text is argumentative and occasionally demanding, yet it is also brief, and listeners who take it slowly will find a good map of Augustine's mind. Because the work is arranged in short numbered chapters, it is easy to pause and reflect after each section. Readers who know Augustine's longer works will recognise familiar themes in a condensed form, while those who do not may find it a manageable first step. The translation reflects the English of the nineteenth century, with its formal and slightly solemn tone.
Public domain
The LibriVox volunteers dedicated this recording to the public domain.
Sources : LibriVox page · Files at the Internet Archive · Original text