Nonfiction - Alfred North Whitehead once noted that all of philosophy is a footnote to Plato, and there is a case to be made that all theology is a footnote to Augustine. Indeed, much of what is now considered orthodox Biblical understanding finds its roots in his writings, and none of his works carries greater weight than The Confessions.

Confessions is a popular college assignment because it serves as a transition piece from the Classical to Medieval mindset and is often considered the first autobiography, but this perspective robs the work of its true purpose and value - confession. In fact, this unifying concept is almost entirely lost on modern audience who imagine confessing as relevant only to sins and crimes.

But Augustine's conception of confession is much deeper, encompassing not merely sin, but also praise, reflection, weakness, and limited understanding. Confessions is a brilliant attempt to reconcile the irreconcilable, understand an infinite God, and deeply think through the meaning of worshiping God as a finite being. In the end, Confessions is more than simply the museum piece it's often considered, and remains a work that any Christian or interested skeptic should find worthy of reflection.