This study investigates the evolution of Augustine of Hippo's conceptualization of contemplation from his pre-baptismal writings through the composition of his seminal work, The Confessions. John Peter Kenney, a scholar of late antique philosophy and theology, utilizes a chronological analysis of Augustine's early texts to map the transition of his thought. The book argues that these formative years establish the foundational framework for a distinctively classical Christian theology of contemplation, providing a lens through which to interpret the intellectual trajectory of the Confessions.

Scholars and theologians identify this work as a rigorous contribution to the study of Augustinian intellectual history. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for those with a background in patristic studies or classical philosophy.