In this article, David Powlison offers reflections on Augustine’s “Confessions” and application of his wisdom to three contemporary counseling questions. First, what does it mean to know yourself? Second, are little children innocent? Third, is the heart needy and empty, but misdirected? Powlison argues that Augustine refused to credit any cause, reason, compulsion, or motive for what we do that would sidestep our culpable perversity.
