Saint Augustines, Confessions

St . Augustine 's Confessions

There was nothing in Augustine 's Confessions that will help reveal his background especially concerning his socio-economic status . One has to consult other sources for that . But knowing fully well that education in ancient times is prized by the rich and the elite it is easy to deduce from the well written Latin masterpiece that indeed Augustine belong to the crime de la crime of society . This is a significant insight because not only is Augustine part of the highly educated and well-to-do crowd he also is a

man who longs for God . A close study of the Confessions will lead one to understand how Augustine views Christianity . Based on the document , Augustine believed that Christianity is about striving to be intimate with God and at the same time a daily struggle to make the flesh obedient to the call of a godly life in Christ Jesus

Intimacy with God

One of the most radical concepts about Christianity is the notion that mere mortals can be intimate with God . In to appreciate this idea one has to first understand that Christianity like Judaism believes in one Almighty God who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings . They are not simply worshipping someone that is ruler of a particular locale , like a god that is in-charge of a really old Oak tree or some ancient hill This God is the one and only . Aside from that the God of St . Augustine is a great Deity whose power is evident in the Old Testament portion of the Bible . The God of Augustine is the Creator of Heaven and Earth . And yet Augustine wanted to be close to Him

This is evident in Book I : The Early Years . In the first few paragraphs Augustine 's deep longings was evident by expressing near panic not knowing what to do first . Is it to call Him or to praise Him ? Having the ultimate goal in mind Augustine said that , You stir man to take pleasure in praising you , because you have made us for yourself , and our heart is restless until it rests in you (Book I : Early Years

This desire for intimacy is actually radical . One only has to take a casual review of ancient religions , Greek and Roman mythology to realize that for thousands of years before Augustine 's Confessions God or the gods were considered to be mean and cruel . The ultimate goal of the worshiper is not to be intimate with the gods but to appease them . God according to other religion is indeed mighty but He is unapproachable

As one continues to read , one will find that Augustine was simply warming up . He is not merely content with the getting to know you stage and his desire to know God goes deeper not willing to accept a superficial relationship . Augustine did not write the Confessions because he simply wanted to earn the favor of God . He went one step further and in the first...