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The Orthodox East became fully familiar with his works only very late (15th century or so) and then accepted some of his writings as fully orthodox and others as contrary to what the undivided Church taught all along, and what the Orthodox Church continues to hold unchanged. The Roman Catholics, likewise, rely on more than one single source of religious opinion, unlike the Protestants, who almost, if not actually take +Augustine as inspired and faultless (relying on doctrines of men, ey?)

What is interesting is that some people only take PART of St. Augustine's writings, ignoring the rest. St. Augustine had a lot to say about predestination, and it certainly is not what our Protestant brothers are projecting. Would a "proto-Calvinist" say "He who made you without your own self will NOT justify you WITHOUT YOURSELF"? (St. Augustine, Sermon 169). What is even more ironic is what St. Augustine says on OTHER subjects, such as on the Pope, the Eucharist, the sacraments, the saints in heaven, Mary, and so forth. You'd think St. Augustine was Catholic! If St. Augustine is a "source" on predestination, why do some totally ignore his agreeing with the practically universal idea of the real presence in the Eucharist? Doesn't it sound like some people have their minds made up on theology and are just looking for support of their theories? Wouldn't it be better to explore what was believed in actuality, rather than finding a scattered quote twisted out of context?

Regards

You'd think St. Augustine was Catholic!

LOL!!!! :-)

And he even believed in -- (don't tell them): free will.

But you are right on target, Jo. They look for out-of-context support for their innvations and distortions, instead on the faith delivered in en toto.

Augustine is a fascinating man, and his writings are very good, but many also forget that he changed his mind a number of times on things that so many use him as a bedrock for.

That is why it is good to read his "Retractions", where he admits some of his earlier errors and problems.