Textbook: The City of God by Saint Augustine (Translated by Marcus Dods, D.D.)
Blog Started 9:10 p.m on Thursday April 26, 2012
Blog Started 9:10 p.m on Thursday April 26, 2012
Required Reading: Book XIX: 14-21, 24-28; Book XX: 1-3; Book: XXII: 16-19, 22, 30
What I'm covering: Book XX page 1
[]=Student's note/input
[]=Student's note/input
In this excerpt from Saint Augustine's twentieth book, Saint Augustine discusses the final judgment day and the consequences of sin. Saint Augustine argues that one must believe in the divinity of God's declarations, fear and yield to them, as well as his final judgement in order to truly have a concept of right & wrong (justice & injustice). This point is emphasized when Augustine states that "...no man acts rightly save by the assistance of divine aid; and no man or devil acts unrighteously save by the permission of the divine and most just judgement." (Book XX: page 1). He also mentions that although no one knows when the final judgement will commence nor of the duration, he argues that we must be ever vigilant because we are constantly being observed by the watchful eyes of God. God can be quite determined in what he sees fit. In fact, he states that God "...did not spare the angels who sinned, whose prince [Lucifer, a.k.a the Devil, presumably], overcome by envy, seduced men after being himself seduced."(Book XX: page 1) God also judges us humans (the sons and daughters of Adam & Eve) not only because of the original sin but on our own voluntary and personal unjust actions.
It's, in a way, quite terrifying that our actions are constantly being measured against our character. Yet, if you think hard about it now, it's like that with modern technology and surveillance (i.e. cameras in stores and banks). We are perhaps a better society BECAUSE "big brother is constantly watching" (1984 reference) and as such, one MUST do the right thing, for either fear of the consequences and penalties, or for the sake of knowing that it's the noble and sensible action. There is (arguably) no choice because if you constantly do what satisfies your desires, regardless of the harm it causes you or others longterm, you will be condemned to an eternity in damnation according to these passages. As a result, the only logical thing to do would be to live the just life.
So, in the end, is that a choice? Perhaps...it's just not ever a favorable one. I believe there's the potential to be a hero in all of us, a role model if you will, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with honor, even though sometimes we have to be patient and steady, often sacrificing the things in life that we want the most...even if they're our dreams and ambitions.
It's, in a way, quite terrifying that our actions are constantly being measured against our character. Yet, if you think hard about it now, it's like that with modern technology and surveillance (i.e. cameras in stores and banks). We are perhaps a better society BECAUSE "big brother is constantly watching" (1984 reference) and as such, one MUST do the right thing, for either fear of the consequences and penalties, or for the sake of knowing that it's the noble and sensible action. There is (arguably) no choice because if you constantly do what satisfies your desires, regardless of the harm it causes you or others longterm, you will be condemned to an eternity in damnation according to these passages. As a result, the only logical thing to do would be to live the just life.
So, in the end, is that a choice? Perhaps...it's just not ever a favorable one. I believe there's the potential to be a hero in all of us, a role model if you will, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with honor, even though sometimes we have to be patient and steady, often sacrificing the things in life that we want the most...even if they're our dreams and ambitions.
David,
ReplyDeleteThis starts well, but it loses focus. I thought you were going to talk about technology, "big brother," etc. but then you move on to other topics.
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