Augustine: A Doctor Of The Church?

[Guest JeffCR07]

Hey, I just have a quick question, probably dumb, but its about St. Augustine. I've heard, and Catholic Encyclopedia verified, that St. Augustine is a Doctor of the Church. I have read [u]City of God[/u], though not [u]Confessions[/u]. I am confused because, based on my reading of the City, Augustine seems to teach a doctrine of Total Depravity. That teaching, however, is diametrically opposed to what the Magisterium teaches. How can he be a Doctor of the Church if his teaching is, even in part, in conflict. I know that I'm missing something, and I'm sure that the Magisterium has clarified his teachings in some way, but I can't find anything on it, and I was wondering if anyone knows the answer. Thanks!

Your Brother in Christ, Jeff

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
6/7 - Tenth Monday

JeffCR07,

Good question, and many people have read Augustine the way you have just described. However, I urge you to read his [i]Confessions[/i], particularly the translation done by Mr. Frank Sheed. Though I've never read [i]De Civitate Dei[/i], I can assure you that Augustine's thought on the human person shaped Pope John Paul II's [i]Theology of the Body[/i]. I know this doesn't help a whole lot, but I hope it points you in the right direction.

Yours,
Pio Nono