The Mestizo Augustine

October 24, 2016
This extremely well-written study of Augustine's early life and theological writings is engaging at every turn, but it fails to live up to the introduction's promise of exploring Augustine and his works through the lens of Latino theology and vice versa. González (The Story Luke Tells), a religious scholar and ordained United Methodist minister, does an excellent job of explicating Augustine's early youth and education, bringing out elements of his relationships with his parents that serve to illuminate the later discussion of Augustine's writings. Those hoping for an in-depth exploration of Augustine's place between North African and Roman cultures, however, will be disappointed. The strongest part of the volume is González's discussion of Augustine's writings, particularly the works written in opposition to Manichean philosophy (with an interesting sidelight cast on further development of this sect as the Cathars or Albigensians in 12th and 13th centuries), the Donatists, and the Pelagians. The latter two were heretic sects within the early church who sought to draw followers to their own vision on Christianity. While this is all very good, it is a shame that González does not deliver more strongly on his promise to discuss Augustine and his work through a bicultural lens. The tidbits that are scattered throughout are tantalizing glimpses of what the work might have been.