Abstract:
In this review article, the book by J.H. (Amie) van Wyk, Augustine: A study on the ethics of
the church father from Africa is presented and discussed. Short overviews of the content of
the six chapters are given. They are: (1) Introduction – the necessity for a book on Augustine’s
ethics in Afrikaans, (2) Orientation – an overview of his life and works, (3) Grounding – the
relationship between dogmatics and ethics, (4) Typology – the character of his ethics,
(5) Themes – marriage and sexual ethics, political ethics and animal ethics, (6) Findings –
evaluation of Augustine’s ethics. Support is given to the argument that Augustine is an
important forerunner to the Reformation. Information is provided on Augustine and the early
years of the Reformation in Wittenberg. Critical remarks are made about the author’s
understanding of the relationship between faith and works, dogmatics and ethics. The
Lutheran understanding of this topic is presented as an important alternative to the Reformed
version that is defended in this book. Finally, attention is given to Augustine’s ‘theory of the
two cities’. Also in this regard advice is given from one of Luther’s publication. His exposition
of Mary’s Song (‘Magnificat’) in Luke 1:46–55 is used as an example of how a witness to the
government could look like.
