Lexington Books Reason, Authority, and the Healing of Desire in the Writings of Augustine

In Reason, Authority, and the Healing of Desire in the Writings of Augustine, Mark Boone explains the theology of desire developed in a cross-section of Augustine's On the True Religion, On the Nature of Good, On Free Choice of the Will, On the Teacher, On the Usefulness of Believing, On the Good of Marriage, Enchiridion, and Confessions. Throughout his writings and in many ways, Augustine develops a Platonically informed, yet distinctively Christian, account of desire. Human desire should respond to the goodness inherent in things, loving the greatest good above all and great goods more than lesser goods. Above all, we should love God and souls. Sin, an inappropriate desire for lesser goods, is healed by the redemption of Christ. Review Desire occupies a central place in Augustine's philosophical theology and is the lynchpin for almost every topic that he treats. In Reason, Authority, and the Healing of Desire in the Writings of Augustine, Dr. Mark J. Boone provides a fresh look at this sometimes neglected and often misunderstood aspect of Augustine's thought. Through a careful examination of eight works, Boone persuasively shows how Augustine has a Platonically informed yet distinctively Christian theology of desire, a theology that is evident in his writings that rely mainly on reason and in his writings that rely mainly on authority.This book makes a valuable contribution to our historical understanding of Augustine's pioneering work in the field of desire as well as to our contemporary conversations about human eros.--Michael P. Foley, Baylor UniversityEven by itself, Boone's introduction makes his whole book required reading -- especially by people who haven't read Augustine and don't know what they are missing. In the eight chapters, Boone undertakes a brilliant retrieval of eight Augustinian treatises, most of them now the province solely of specialists. Reading these treatises through the lens of Augustine's theology of desire, Boone shows why all Christians should be 'Augustinians' -- called by Christ to a conversion of desire.--Matthew Levering, James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology, Mundelein SeminaryThis is a terrific book. It is superbly written and masterfully organized. The result is a meaty but easy-to-follow introduction to the most influential of all Christian thinkers.--Gerald R. McDermott, Samford University About the Author Mark J. Boone is assistant professor in the department of religion and philosophy at Hong Kong Baptist University.