How Long Is Eternity?

"You do not see in time nor move in time nor rest in time." (321)

This is one of the hardest concepts for me that I continue to try to grasp, but never can. It is not possible for our human minds to understand the concept of God's existence before time and his continuing existence after time. Perhaps this is because of our outrageous obsession with time. There are so many people in our culture who would have a complete breakdown if something were to happen to their planner that has all of their activities planned out to the minute; we also have lost respect for others, such as when a scheduled class time is over and students end up packing up, even if the teacher is still talking. In our society, we take any chance we have to 'save time,' by doing things such as eating breakfast while driving to school/work, or multitasking at as many things as possible. This time obsession of ours makes it impossible for us to be able to conceive anything that does not include time. It's interesting how we are so consumed with our time and how we spend it when we know that there is infinite time.

The People's Choice

"So I set myself to examine an idea I had heard-namely that our free will is the cause of our doing evil, and Your just judgment the cause of our suffering evil. I could not clearly discern this....But it raised me a little towards Your light that I now was as much aware that I had a will as that I had a life. And when I willed to do or not do anything, I was quite certain that it was myself and no other who willed," (119)
This is a very important concept that Augustine realizes, the explanation for the existence of our free will. True, if we didn't have the chance to decide whether to sin or not, the world would probably be a better place without all the problems that do exist, but it wouldn't be by choice. It makes me think of how, when you were little and your parents made your choices for you. For example, you had to go to bed at 9, most kids wouldn't want to just because that is what was commanded of them; however, in giving them the choice, they would probably choose to go to bed around then anyways. God would rather us be willing to joyfully follow him than forcing us to grudgingly follow him.

Back To Blogging

If you were to take out all the Godly, philosophical parts that Augustine fills Confessions with, you would find the story of a pretty normal life, nothing really extraordinary. I think having his prayers and high praise woven throughout the entire text is what seperates both Augustine and his book. His faith is obviously a huge part of what makes his life what it is so it just fits that it takes up such a huge portion of the book. It's just too bad that it makes it so difficult to read.