The Influence of Origen on the Young Augustine provides a new and unprecedented analysis of Augustine's early career, including his celebrated conversion and the theology of his early writings. The author re-interprets Augustine's early accounts of his conversion and comes to a conclusion which runs counter to the general scholarly view. The main thesis of the book argues that as early as the first phase of Augustine's activity (386-393 AD), he made use of some Origenian works and basic elements of his early theology were derived from the Alexandrian master. The author provides an analysis of Augustine's first exegetical work, De genesi contra manichaeos, and argues for the possibility that a Latin compilation of Origen's understanding of Genesis existed and was used by Latin authors of the fourth century.

"This book amply fulfils its promise of opening up a new chapter in the history of the reception of Origen's thought." -- Joseph W. Trigg, Journal of Early Christian Studies

György Heidl (b. 1967) is Associate Professor in History of Aesthetics at University of Ptcs, Hungary. He studies and teaches the theology and exegesis of the Church Fathers and translates their works into Hungarian.