Book VII Summary and Analysis

Augustine does not think of God as having a body, but still sees him as having some sort of material substance. Nevertheless, Augustine knows that the Manichean doctrine is absurd. If there was really a kingdom of light versus a kingdom of darkness, and God was invincible, why couldn't God destroy the kingdom of darkness? In this Manichean doctrine, light represents the good, and darkness represents evil. If the darkness could harm God, he wouldn't be the Almighty God. This is an argument that Augustine learns from his friend Nebridius. This discussion still leaves Augustine questioning what is the source of evil.

Augustine rejects astrology after speaking to an old man Vindicianus, and also due to the arguments of his friend Nebridius. They both say that the predictions of astrologists are purely a matter of chance, plus taking into...