On the first day of class as a first semester freshman, I heard a reference to a man named Augustine in all three classes that I was attending. Many of the theologians or m-div students of this institution may not find this very amazing. But seeing as how I had never even heard of this man, amazement with a large dose of embarrassment would sum up my feelings very well. I began asking questions, I began reading, and I soon found myself in awe of his life.
On November 13, 354, Augustine was born to an unorthodox family. Son to a pagan father and Christian mother, the ever constant scale of good and evil in his mind started early in life. He grew up in a poor household, but was still given a somewhat Christian education. His lack of resources led to a delay in his higher education at Carthage. As most young men who are left at an idle point in their life, Augustine turned to pleasing the desires of self. Though he would soon be developing one of the most intellectual minds in Carthage and Madaura, the damage from that fateful time left him enamored with the pleasures of the world. Along with the allure of immoral seductions, Augustine found himself drawn to philosophy. The reading of Cicero seemed to have a great impact on him and the intellectual side of him found an attraction to Manichaeism. While Augustine studied and taught in Tagaste and Carthage, he met a young woman who would bear his child, Adeodatus, a name meaning “gift from God”. Even the name of his son in tells his struggle with his Christian upbringing and his immoral nature. His devout Christian mother was trouble by his involvement in Gnostic religions and an affair with the concubine, and faithfully tried to bring him back to the Catholic Church. While trying to find a place that fit his teaching needs, his influential friends helped him to one of the most coveted positions in teaching at the time, a professor for the imperial court at Milan. Disappointments with Manichaeism and failed attempts at embracing astrology and skepticism, Augustine became influenced by the bishop, Ambrose, and the reading of the life of St. Anthony. Finally fulfilling his mothers wish, he returned to the Catholic Church, but his life was only becoming more torn between good and evil. Realizing that he needed to give his all to God, he wondered if he could possibly live the life that God required. He parted ways from his concubine and tried to settle down in a socially acceptable marriage, only to be with another companion within weeks. His immoral life may have won him over had it not been for the singing of a little child. While tormenting over his battles with sin in a garden one day, he heard a voice sing the words, “pick up and read”. Paul’s letter to the Romans was the closest text he could find, so he did exactly what the voice had urged him to do. He opened and read from Romans 13:13-14, the text was about leaving behind our sinful desires, and clothing ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. To say that this was a turning point in his life would be an understatement. Augustine and his son, Adeodatus, were baptized on Easter Sunday. In returning to Africa, his mother and his son die. Now alone, he devoted his life to the ministry. After selling just about all of his earthly possessions and giving the money to the poor, he turned his house into a monastic community house. He was soon ordained as priest at Hippo and became a prolific preacher and writer. Ironically, Augustine also turned to fighting heresy such as Manichaeism, which he was once a follower. He was named the heir to the bishop and shortly thereafter became the full bishop upon the death of the current one. His writings of such books as City of God, and his Confessions, have had a great impact on theology and Christianity. His early links to philosophy mixed with his humble conversion of faith made for works that will be considered masterpieces of literature for ages to come. He served as Biship for over thirty years at Hippo, and fought heresy until his death. Literally as he was dying, he told the people to resist Arianism.It is no wonder that I find myself drawn to Augustine’s story. I am not sure if it is the honesty of his early years, the commitment to surrender his life, or the strong stance against sin and heresy that demands so much respect. Upon looking at many heroes of the Bible, we will find that the ones that are most endearing are the ones that were completely honest about their life. Although we rarely treat him as mere man, David’s battle with humanity is what this life is all about. Augustine spoke of original sin, or our sin nature, but it was his stance on salvation by grace that I love most about him. Augustine realized that the only way to conquer sin, was to accept the grace that is freely given to us.