Tag: Augustine

The Habits of a Reluctant Convert

~ Marc Sims ~ Leave a comment

Augustine’s Confessions detail approximately a 15-year-long struggle with God. His journey wanders through Manicheism, skepticism, and neoplatonism, before seriously considering the Christianity his mother taught him at a young age. After meeting regularly with the bishop, Ambrose, and attending church, Augustine’s intellectual arguments against Christianity (and the Bible) fade. He becomes compelled by the beauty and truth of … Continue reading The Habits of a Reluctant Convert

Do Walls Make Christians?

~ Marc Sims ~ Leave a comment

In the most popular chapter in Augustine’s Confessions (VIII), Augustine relays what led him to his conversion. But before his hallowed moment under the fig tree, Augustine met with the local bishop, Simplicianus, to talk through his spiritual angst. As Augustine asked questions, the older bishop shared the story of how the celebrity intellectual, Victorinus—whom Augustine had … Continue reading Do Walls Make Christians?

Asking Questions About God’s Loveliness for Bible Reading

~ Marc Sims ~ Leave a comment

So, anyone who thinks he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them, but cannot by thus understanding build up this love of God and neighbor, has not yet succeeded in understanding them. - Augustine, On Christian Teaching Over the years I’ve derived these questions for my Bible reading and preaching as a vaccine against … Continue reading Asking Questions About God’s Loveliness for Bible Reading