On Christian Doctrine

“For the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” How should we read and interpret Sacred Scripture? How can we discern truth from error, and wisdom from vain speculation? In On Christian Doctrine, Saint Augustine offers a masterful guide to understanding the Word of God, revealing how the graces of faith, hope, and love are absolute necessities for the discovery and right interpretation of Scripture. With clarity and insight, Augustine lays out the essential principles, covering language, signs, figurative expressions, and the proper relationship between faith and reason. He warns against errors that come from reading Scripture too literally or too loosely and teaches that all interpretation must ultimately lead to love—of God and neighbor. More than a theological treatise, On Christian Doctrine is a call to wisdom. It challenges the reader to seek not just knowledge, but true understanding, directing the soul toward God’s eternal truth.