Religious Experience in Saint Augustine

Abstract

This research examines Augustine's religious experience as a unique model of intellectual and spiritual transformation from doubt to certainty. It aims to uncover the most important stages of his life and analyze the intellectual shifts that contributed to shaping his philosophical and theological worldview.The research also discusses Augustine's influences from certain intellectual currents، such as Manichaeism and Neoplatonism، and how he ultimately embraced Christianity، finding in it a comprehensive framework for answering his existential questions. The research highlights his stance on issues of divine providence، the problem of good and evil، and their relationship to human freedom and responsibility.Furthermore، the research explores Augustine's theory of knowledge، particularly the theory of illumination، which emphasizes the role of divine light in perceiving truths. It also reviews his most important arguments for the existence of Allah.The research employs a descriptive-analytical approach، presenting and analyzing Augustine's ideas by referring to some of his texts، especially the Book of Confessions، along with several related studies. The research concludes that Augustine's experience represents a profound attempt to reconcile reason and faith، and contributed to the development of a comprehensive philosophical and religious vision that continues to influence philosophical and religious thought today.