Augustine’s Problem: Impotence and Grace

On Sunday, January 12, author Jeff Nicoll will begin a 14-session adult education class on St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430), the Doctor of Grace based on his first book, Augustine’s Problem: Impotence and Grace. The class will focus on the impact of one person, Augustine, on the history and theology of the Western Church. Western is important here: Augustine’s influence was decisive in the West, but he is ignored or rejected in the East, including the Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Coptic churches.

Augustine was a powerful intellect; his works include the Confessions, describing a misspent youth, and struggles with sexuality, and his conversion. He shaped the practices of the church and molded its theology. The sessions will explore Augustine and his times to understand how this dark, pessimistic theology came into being.

Join Anytime! Now - April 2025

Jeff Nicoll received his doctorate in theoretical physics from MIT and a Master of Arts in religious studies from the Howard University School of Divinity. He has published papers in physics and cosmology and is the author of two books: Augustine's Problem: Impotence and Grace (2016) and Strange and Gaudy Fruit (2023).