Dating to the early 5th century AD, the Enchiridion of St. Augustine is a superb example of early Christian instruction and virtues, summating the pillars of the faith in a manner inspiring.
Augustine of Hippo was among the first Roman Christians to develop and author a comprehensive spiritual philosophy. As bishop of Hippo Regius, his theological studies and writings provided an excellent foundation to religious scholarship; many of the books he authored served as an example to later authors. A great revival of interest in the early Church Fathers following the Reformation, and again in the 19th century, brought Augustine’s works to renewed appreciation and prominence.
The Enchiridion is no exception to Augustine of Hippo’s model of scholarship. Detailing how the Christian believer can better his faith with prayer and practice of the virtues set out by Jesus Christ in the Gospels, the book itself is composed in answer to a person named Laurentius. Apparently a Christian curious about his creed, Laurentius sought the advice and counsel of St. Augustine of Hippo – crucially, the bishop replies by detailing the Apostles' Creed; a belief that would shape and define the Christian church in the ages that followed.
