On Christian Doctrine

In this book, St. Augustine, leads us to discover and defend the truths of Scripture, and urges us to interpret it with the light of faith, hope, and charity, in order to understand the Word of God fully. He devises the means to recognize figurative expressions and doubtful language, and suggests consulting primary sources, committing difficult terms to memory, and familiarizing ourselves with the meaning of frequently used symbols, such as "shepherd" and "sheep." For those who teach Scripture, St. Augustine says they must teach in all honesty, and not for self-serving purposes. This book offers an impressive wealth of practical wisdom for reading the Bible. It soon becomes apparent that St. Augustine earnestly wanted us to understand the Word of God.