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.

Since we were discussing how perspective leads to opinion, and what we thought was honest and accurate, I was wondering what everyone thought about this. Please don’t think I am endorsing by posting this, I merely want to know your opinions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ

As everything, art has changed quite a bit over the last 2000 years. From the peaceful landscapes of Monet to the abstract mind of Picasso. From the brilliant bronze work of Donatello to the almost lifelike works of Michelangelo. But few would ever consider that meticulously made ivory Bible covers carved with a story of Jonah and Noah to be art. But the Kimball Art Museum not only had the rare book covers on display, they had the only known collection of early Christian art to ever be displayed in one museum. I am almost ashamed to think that when I walked through the exhibit entrance, I was expecting to see paintings and statues. But what I found were lamps, coins, jewelry, and coffins. Yes, you heard correctly, the most wonderful display of coffins that were carved with stories about the life of Jesus, and the fall of man in the Garden. Most of the art was dated to the late third and forth centuries, not only because Christianity took awhile to catch on, but also because many of the early Christians felt that engraving, painting or carving even Biblical scenes or statues was paganistic. It is no surprise that most of the items are dated to a time when Constantine was in rule. As the Christians became more powerful and wealthy they commissioned professionals to make beautiful pieces of art for the temples and palace. The Coffins that were created were very common in that time, and soon the Christians felt comfortable enough to bury their dead in way that seemed ritualistic and pagan. Though rare and beautiful, it is not the golden or jewel laden art the you see in many cathedrals in Europe today. But like the early Christians, their art also had humble beginnings. I am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to see such a fine collection all in one museum. And though my little daughter may not think so today, one day I hope she will say the same thing.

Within the first few pages of the book “Christian Jihad”, by Ergun and Emir Caner, I was spinning in a whirlwind of controversy. In this post 9/11 world that we live, I found myself drawn to hate the Character whose story opens the introduction of the book. How could I sit and read such detailed facts about what a killer feels just before ending the lives of whom I presumed were innocent, and feel anything but hatred for such terrorism. But to my amazement, the story ended nothing like how I presumed it would, much like the book as a whole, and for that matter, much like my feelings for the subject.
I would never be asked to sum up an entire book with a simple one word explanation, but if I had to do so, I would say this book was about change. Not just a change in time and atmosphere of history, but an actual changing of the mindset of religion, war, killing, suffering, law, politics, salvation and, well anything else that we seem to be so willing to put our trust in today.
The Caners try to help shed some light on the changes that have taken place in the world in the last 2000 years, as many people, especially me, are in the dark. The biggest change comes just a few hundred years after Christ ascended into heaven. The political atmosphere goes from killing those who professed the name of Christ to being partners with religious leaders in a relatively short period of time. And soon we were seeing pacifism and a Christ-like nature evolve into the Crusades, and killing in the name of the very person you profess. However, I must point out that if given the option of salvation or damnation, I myself may have picked up a sword in that particular time.
The changes that were detailed next by the Caners enlightened me very much. I am not sure if this “I have always played on the winning team” bubble that I have been living in would have ever been penetrated if it were not from some of the things that I read in this book. The religious world had not only got over the fact that killing in the name of Christ was ok as long as it was against those who sought to kill you, but it was now acceptable to kill those who believed in Christ. The portion of the book about the inquisitions left me feeling more ashamed than I have felt in a long time.
It is almost impossible for me to fathom the idea it was once impossible to publicly say that you believed it Christ, in fear of being killed. Then it was hard to say that you did not believe in Christ, for the same fate would be brought upon you also. And eventually you had to be careful of just how you believed in Christ, because persecution would soon find even that person.
The change that affected me the most is the change in my own life, after reading such a powerful book. And the heresy that so many died for just a few hundred years ago seems so much like the beliefs that I hold strongly to today. Would I have been so strong to stand up for what I believed in, in the face of persecution? I can only hope that I am not faced with the option today or in the future. And I hope to never forget those who did stand so bravely.

My name is Gary, which for some reason only seems to be the name of people that are at least 20 years older than me, but that is my name and I answer to it quite often. I feel somewhat out of place at the time for many reasons. One, I am sitting at a computer writting what many seem to be calling a blog (which I thought was some sort of Olympic water sport). Two, I am in classroom for the first time in over ten years (being the first in at least twenty five that I was actuall listening). Third, I don’t even recognize this world any more and I cant wait to leave. If it wasn’t for the fact that I have the most beautiful wife at home (who happens to be my best friend), and If it wasn’t for the fact that God fearfully and wonderfully made me the most awsome three kids that I have ever met in my life, I would just jump off the nearest bridge I could find if it meant being in the presence of Jesus. Now you all know that I would never do that, but I wish I could relay in words just how homesick I am for the place I have never been. Well, back to me, I am a first year freshman in semester number one who surrendered to full time ministry for Christ less than a year ago. I have lived in Texas all my life, and in the Fort Worth area for over eighteen years. I am the biggest Texas sports homer you will ever find (and no I don’t consider any San Antonio or Houston teams Texan ). I am pretty sure that you could have lived a happy life not knowing any of this about me, but I am doing what I was instructed to do, so thank you for your time and patience.

PS God is most definatly a Cowboys Fan.