Improving thy religion

In his writings, Augustine often addressed a particular problem that affected the Christian world or the church at that particular time. These ranged from denunciations of separatist groups to explanations of a difficult point of doctrine and to various other topics that arose. However, when he set out to write a textbook, as On Christian Doctrine was originally intended to be, his normal style of attacking a specific problem might have affected his work. As a possible result, a good portion of Doctrine addresses the conflict over whether to include or ignore the huge body of heathen knowledge that comprised the classical education at that time. His solution was to include the factual information of the past world, as he believed it to be from God and thus acceptable. Augustine reached this decision because of his own respect and reliance upon the pagan works of antiquity, and because it was the most pragmatic option available within the system of faith.
Augustine received his fi...