DB 4 Augustine's Conversion

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Liberty University *

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Religion

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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The fourth-century Bishop and author of Confessions and The City of God is so influential, both historically and today. Augustine played an essential role in the progress of Christianity and is best known as the Architect of the Middle Ages. Ferguson states, " Augustine has continued to be a major influence in theology for both Catholics (especially in his views on the church and the sacraments) and Protestants (especially regarding grace and salvation).” 1 Augustine's life and conversion revolved around an overwhelming need to overcome one's desire for the significance and appetite of the flesh. As he read the letters from Paul that discuss the issue of drunkenness and sexual immorality, it was mentioned in that letter to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13:13–14).” 2 Augustine struggled because one would be drawn to God’s love and pull him to his lust. Augustine understood the mercy and grace of God, and he wanted his life to be a living sacrifice pleasing to the lord. He allowed God to transform his life through the renewing of his mind. Augustine recognized the work of the Holy Spirit and allowed Him to work not only in him but also through him. In 384, Augustine became a professor of rhetoric in Milan, and during his time there, he heard a famous public speaker named bishop Ambrose. Ferguson states, “From him, Augustine heard a much more intellectually respectable interpretation of the Scriptures than he had learned growing up in North Africa.” 3 Before long, the presbyter Simplicianus took on Augustine as his project. At the time, Augustine was undergoing an intellectual conversion but still having issues with his moral transformation. Until he picked up a letter written by Paul, "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy” this letter was like having the Lord speaking to him. After some serious thoughts, Augustine enrolled for baptism, which he received from Ambrose; Augustine’s official conversion occurred in 386 when he had found his way back to the faith. He understood the errors of his ways, and because of this, he wanted to help others to avoid the same mistakes he had made. 1 Everett Ferguson, Church History, Volume One: From Christ to the Pre-Reformation: The Rise and Growth of the Church in Its Cultural, Intellectual, and Political Context (Second Edition) (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013), 268. 2 Ibid, 270. 3 Ibid, 270.
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