HIST 421 Chapter Notes - Chapter reading: Donatism
Document Summary
St augustine, the bishop of hippo in northern africa is widely considered the founder of christian theology. His most famous works were his autobiographical and mystical confessions. He defended christian doctrine against the early heresies of peliagianism, manichaeism, and. In several orders he condemns the practice of all magic, regardless whether it involved the invocation of demons or good angels. Both forms of magic according to augustine involved commerce with demons. His characterization of all magic, regardless of its intention, was seen as demonic and provided a doctrinal foundation for the late medieval condemnation of ritual magic. Protestants followed augustine in arguing that it was the process by which magic was performed, not its intended effect that made it sinful. He said that the devil deceives the practitioners of these arts by presenting himself as an angel of light and being able to turn himself into various shapes.
