Often I have confessed that I enjoy returning to the classics. To return to the classics is to go back to a source. A classic becomes a classic for good reason. If it is some form of classical literature, that means a particular piece of literature made an impact when it originally was written. And for some good reasons, that same piece of literature continues generation after generation to make an impact. That means I put little stock in “instant classics,” as some Americans are wont to label things.
Because of a recent class assignment, I was given the opportunity to return to one such classic, namely, Augustine’s Confessions, which was written about the turn of the century, 400 C.E. I have read this piece before, but part of the appeal of a classic is somehow it always speaks afresh. I was not disappointed.
One could argue that after Jesus, Augustine is the most important figure in Christian history. After a very wayward youth, Augustine was sought by God, relented, and became a bishop and theologian of the church at a tumultuous time when the Roman Empire was coming apart. The Confessions is his narrative of God’s search and Augustine’s ultimate surrender to the Divine Hound of Heaven.
Even though it is autobiographical, we must remember it is written by one who is firmly in the Christian camp and who sees his autobiographical journey as a kind of model for other seekers. If I were teaching, I would say this work is an apology for the Christian faith. Apology, as I use it, does not mean, “I’m sorry.” It means a passionate, reasoned defense of the faith. Augustine wants you, too, to surrender to that same God and be available for your own ministry.
Perhaps the most famous passage of all comes on the first page. Augustine begins the Confessions with words from the Psalms, which praise God as creator. Augustine follows with his own words saying that we humans are also created to praise the Creator. But Augustine also laments the fact that humans have become sinners and, as the apostle Paul said, fall short of the glory of God.
Then Augustine says that God stimulates humans “to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they can find peace in you.” (17) It is that last phrase that is so famous. Our human hearts are restless until they find peace in God.
Every time I have read that, I want to say, “Yeah, that’s true.” To me Augustine says that we can chase all sorts of idols. We can chase success, fame, fortune…you name it. We can even achieve some of these. But they will not bring peace. Or better yet, they will not bring lasting peace.
There is only one God. And only that God can offer deep, lasting peace. If I am chasing idols (of my own choice and maybe of my own design), then I am likely
doomed to a restless heart. If I am chasing fame, how much is enough? I see many restless hearts in my day. Certainly, they are not all young, nor are they all students. I see restless hearts condemned to working at something they despise. Restless hearts might feel trapped in situations or relationships that bring no joy, but only grief.
Moving on to a new job or a new relationship only tempers the problem. Sooner or later, our hearts will grow restless again. Augustine knew the deep truth of this.
He wanted a deep peace. He found it---or it found him---when he embraced God. He embraced the God who created him and wanted him to come home---to come to rest his heart on the everlasting arms.
Because of a recent class assignment, I was given the opportunity to return to one such classic, namely, Augustine’s Confessions, which was written about the turn of the century, 400 C.E. I have read this piece before, but part of the appeal of a classic is somehow it always speaks afresh. I was not disappointed.
One could argue that after Jesus, Augustine is the most important figure in Christian history. After a very wayward youth, Augustine was sought by God, relented, and became a bishop and theologian of the church at a tumultuous time when the Roman Empire was coming apart. The Confessions is his narrative of God’s search and Augustine’s ultimate surrender to the Divine Hound of Heaven.
Even though it is autobiographical, we must remember it is written by one who is firmly in the Christian camp and who sees his autobiographical journey as a kind of model for other seekers. If I were teaching, I would say this work is an apology for the Christian faith. Apology, as I use it, does not mean, “I’m sorry.” It means a passionate, reasoned defense of the faith. Augustine wants you, too, to surrender to that same God and be available for your own ministry.
Perhaps the most famous passage of all comes on the first page. Augustine begins the Confessions with words from the Psalms, which praise God as creator. Augustine follows with his own words saying that we humans are also created to praise the Creator. But Augustine also laments the fact that humans have become sinners and, as the apostle Paul said, fall short of the glory of God.
Then Augustine says that God stimulates humans “to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they can find peace in you.” (17) It is that last phrase that is so famous. Our human hearts are restless until they find peace in God.
Every time I have read that, I want to say, “Yeah, that’s true.” To me Augustine says that we can chase all sorts of idols. We can chase success, fame, fortune…you name it. We can even achieve some of these. But they will not bring peace. Or better yet, they will not bring lasting peace.
There is only one God. And only that God can offer deep, lasting peace. If I am chasing idols (of my own choice and maybe of my own design), then I am likely
doomed to a restless heart. If I am chasing fame, how much is enough? I see many restless hearts in my day. Certainly, they are not all young, nor are they all students. I see restless hearts condemned to working at something they despise. Restless hearts might feel trapped in situations or relationships that bring no joy, but only grief.
Moving on to a new job or a new relationship only tempers the problem. Sooner or later, our hearts will grow restless again. Augustine knew the deep truth of this.
He wanted a deep peace. He found it---or it found him---when he embraced God. He embraced the God who created him and wanted him to come home---to come to rest his heart on the everlasting arms.
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