In Confessions, St. Augustine writes an autobiography in which he takes his first steps in transitioning to Christianity by confessing his sins to God. This transition expounded his life story and further emphasized his journey to overcome his sinful endeavors. By acknowledging God as his audience, St. Augustine violates contemporary expectations of autobiographical writing. Using this method, he alters the conventional purpose -- to inform -- and meaning behind autobiographies. Instead, he writes to confess and to acquire God’s acceptance within himself. In Book One, Augustine questions his origin -- “I do not know where I came from” (pg. 6, p. 7) -- and ability to transition by confronting God -- “My faith, Lord, calls upon you” -- (pg.
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Augustine questions God in his ability to transition to Christianity. In the quote “‘Grant me lord to know and understand’ which comes first -- to call upon you or to praise you,” (pg. 3, p. 1) he takes his first step of confession - God’s acceptance. He questions whether he must primarily reach to God within himself prior to transitioning or simply occupy the label of God and declare himself a Christian. Augustine answers himself with the question “but who calls upon you when he does not know you?” (pg. 3, p. 1) He further explicates his decision by supporting the journey to God, rather than the destination -- “in seeking him they find him and in finding they will praise him.” (pg. 3, p. 1) Despite his understanding of the steps of transitioning, he continues to second guess himself, “but what place is there in me where my God can enter into me? God made heaven and earth…. Lord my God is there any room in me which can contain you?” (pg. 3, p. 2) Then, once again, he reassures himself by clarifying to his audience -- God -- that He exists within every living being and “[Augustine] would have no being, [he] would not have any existence unless [God] were in [him].” (pg. 4, p. 2) As this state of reassurance fluctuates, St. Augustine, in his interrogation of God’s omnipotence, (pg. 4, p. 3) attempts to persuade himself of his transition to Christianity by supporting all of God’s questionable capabilities, “You are not scattered but reassemble us…. you fill [all things] with the whole of yourself.” (pg. 4, p. 3) Augustine perpetuates this irony of God when he claims He is “deeply hidden yet most intimately present.” (pg. 4-5, p.4) In other words, Augustine is well aware that God is within him, however, he occupies this strong belief that the journey towards feeling God’s presence is where the magic happens. He supports this belief by reproaching those who only find God but do not seek Him -- “what has anyone achieved in words when he
Augustine questions God in his ability to transition to Christianity. In the quote “‘Grant me lord to know and understand’ which comes first -- to call upon you or to praise you,” (pg. 3, p. 1) he takes his first step of confession - God’s acceptance. He questions whether he must primarily reach to God within himself prior to transitioning or simply occupy the label of God and declare himself a Christian. Augustine answers himself with the question “but who calls upon you when he does not know you?” (pg. 3, p. 1) He further explicates his decision by supporting the journey to God, rather than the destination -- “in seeking him they find him and in finding they will praise him.” (pg. 3, p. 1) Despite his understanding of the steps of transitioning, he continues to second guess himself, “but what place is there in me where my God can enter into me? God made heaven and earth…. Lord my God is there any room in me which can contain you?” (pg. 3, p. 2) Then, once again, he reassures himself by clarifying to his audience -- God -- that He exists within every living being and “[Augustine] would have no being, [he] would not have any existence unless [God] were in [him].” (pg. 4, p. 2) As this state of reassurance fluctuates, St. Augustine, in his interrogation of God’s omnipotence, (pg. 4, p. 3) attempts to persuade himself of his transition to Christianity by supporting all of God’s questionable capabilities, “You are not scattered but reassemble us…. you fill [all things] with the whole of yourself.” (pg. 4, p. 3) Augustine perpetuates this irony of God when he claims He is “deeply hidden yet most intimately present.” (pg. 4-5, p.4) In other words, Augustine is well aware that God is within him, however, he occupies this strong belief that the journey towards feeling God’s presence is where the magic happens. He supports this belief by reproaching those who only find God but do not seek Him -- “what has anyone achieved in words when he