Monday, May 19
Re: Book 1 Opening Question
I read your opening question Dwight even before I finished Book 1. (I confess I still have 9 pages in Book 1 still, but this was a good time to use the internet ;) ) So I kept that theme in my mind as I read- and I noticed Augustine remarking upon this theme, of, "the virtue which makes the life good [that] has its throne in the soul" (1.16). He also emphasized he force of one's own will- that we will to be virtuous and good and pure, etc. I remember my OT seminars sophomore year. I specifically remember us talking over and over again about the "circumcision of the heart"... though in the OT people often tend to see it as about a God of wrath and justice, one who holds us to every jot and tittle of the law, with the emphasis on the physical, bodily acts- like outward circumcision. Yet the circumcision of the heart is very much at the heart of the OT- it is the heart of the law itself I would say! So there cannot, like you said, be any "loopholes" to God's law, because His law moves beyond the external actions to the attitude of the heart and mind, one's will, one's soul. The circumcision of the heart is vastly more important than any action or deed- because if one's heart is right, one's body will follow. But unfortunately, like for the Pharisees, the body can act apart from the heart and breed deception, etc. This reminds me of something Pastor Greg at Bay Area Community Church here in Annapolis said in his sermon last Sunday. He taught on Genesis 19 and Romans 1- about wickedness of man, specifically on sexual sins, like homosexuality. Anyway, one thing he said was the homosexuality is the most dramatic bodily representation of a spiritual rebellion. Romans 1 gives a 3 step process to this spiritual rebellion: first, man replaces God with an idol- this begins in one's heart! Second, God gives man over to his sin. Third, we physically act out this spiritual rebellion. As marriage between a man and a woman is an image of the relationship between God and man, Christ and the Church, when one distorts this physical representation by sexual sin, then the image is destroyed. Like the Church trading Christ for an idol. the bride rebelling against her bridegroom,etc. Ok, ok, I know I am getting WAY off topic, my apologies. But I just had a bunch different thoughts on this topic of sin originating from the heart.
Re: MJ's Book 1 thoughts
I think your question Mary Jo is really hard. But I'll share the first thing that popped in my mind.
I think Augustine does rely heavily on reason. He demonstrates that Christianity, and Christian doctrine and practices, can be logical and make sense, even more logical than many find ancient Greek stories/histories/etc. Like take Cato as an example. Augustine shows how it can logically and reasonably be absurd to revere Cato for committing suicide. Which I found very interesting, considering so many Johnnies seem to support Cato's action. (at least, what I remember from that seminar on Plutarch's Lives). I felt as though I was reading apologetics ;) I guess in a certain sense that is what Augustine does.
I also think about the role of man's will in his relationship with God. Our will is oftentimes a product of reason, yet othertimes clearly not. If it is our choice and will to follow Christ, is that a reasonable decision? Or do we jump into a great unknown? Is it different for different people? (That would be my guess) But it seem like it is also man's nature to inquire why... why we believe, why it is true. At least I feel that way- the "whats" of Christianity are not satisfying to me. They satisfy me insofar as I know I am saved, but they are not satisfying insofar as my mind wants to understand God and Christ- not just as elusive conceptual ideas or in terms of 'character sketches' but as grasping at their substance, because it is from God's substance- the great I AM- that I am...
I also think God gives us reason, setting us apart from other creations, so that we can know Him, and know Him more. I think truth can be a feeling, a conviction, but the feeling and conviction needs to be tested against reason- like God's Word, something that is geared for our minds to read and understand. There is a gray area in relation to the role of one's mind-heart-soul in faith-belief-truth because I think there are few absolutes. I don't feel like one can say, faith is wholly non-rational any more than one can say faith is wholly rational, or that one person coming to know truth from a rational standpoint can set a mold for every other person coming to know truth. I don't know, any thoughts? (anyone?) I'm going to think about this more.
a few of my own questions up for grabs...
Book 1: city of God?
Augustine starts off this book by saying "The glorious city of God is my theme in this work..." I found myself thinking, well, what does Augustine mean? What is the city of God? As I kept reading Book 1, I still wasn't sure. He goes through so much history and putting forth doctrine, but, how does all of this relate back to his theme- where is he going...? etc.
Book 1: Burials
Burials was another topic that interested me. Augustine almost seems to contradict himself. He says, burials aren't necessary for Christians. But then speaks of burials as important, especially the ointment and wrapping and burial of Jesus. I wondered what we think about burials, why Augustine still seems to think they have value/importance. What that importance is. I have thought about Jesus' burial: could the reason that Jesus was buried be more part of God's plan to demonstrate His power by the resurrection- the empty tomb, etc? Or was it simply some sort of sign of love and care that Jesus was buried, nothing more? any thoughts?
