Synopsis
Chapter Five
Chapter five of the book comprises of Augustine’s writings. He writes on how much he regrets leading an immoral and sinful life. He shows his concerns on his friend Nebriduis persuaded him that astrology was not only incorrect but also evil. He talks about confessions stating that we can’t find happiness until we find God, for he’s the source of eternal happiness. He revealed that our heart is restless until it rests God. He also believed that the existence of goodness allows evil to exist, through the fault of humans. He assumes there can be no denying that we have a will. When we have free will we also have a duty to make decisions.
He replied to the letter of petilianus by saying that we are not made pure by washing or cleaning ourselves but by being baptized in the name of the father, and of the Son and of the holy spirit. He also stated that Christ is not faithless; a man receives faith if he believes in Christ, who is the giver. He said that Christ is the origin and root, and head of he who is being born and in him, we feel no fear. He stated no even though he’s not guilty who can make his neighbour free from sin for he’s not God. God’s grace turns our heart in whatever direction He pleases. The grace governs life by giving joy in the supremacy of God.
Augustine wrote about the city of God to respond to pagan claims. He asserted that Christianity saved the city from destruction and that as a result of internal moral decay. It is from the city of God where our salvation shall come and by all allegiance to which we must be saved.
Chapter six
Chapter six of the book talks about The Early Middle Ages. Its composed of various Christian theologians had worked to relate their faith to an intellectually sophisticated culture. Gelasius had attempted to resolve a dispute between orthodox Christians and Monophysites by drawing up a compromise statement. He wrote Anastasius a letter outlining the respective qualities of the papal authority and the imperial power. If the ministers of religion, recognizing the supremacy granted you from heaven in matters affecting the public order, obey your laws.
Jerome wrote against vigilantius for questioning prayers offered to departed saints, questioning the vow of poverty, and for examining the veneration of relics. He also wrote about The Perpetual Virginity Of Blessed Mary starting that Joseph was only putatively, not really the husband of Mary, he stated that virginity is better than the marriage state because it presents great hindrances to prayer.
Athanasius wrote about the life of Antony who struggled against the devil. He condemned sin in the flesh that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but the spirit. He knew the devil loves sin. He went to the desert and overcame temptation on the way; he also delivered a woman from an evil spirit. In the third conference of Abbot Chaeremon talks about the protection of God, that without the grace of God, we cannot make any diligent efforts. About the divisions of nature, the first species was that which creates and is not created, which seems this is only correctly predicated of God, for God alone creates and is himself without a beginning. He is the principal cause of all that is made from him and through him. About the body and blood, it is clear that nothing is possible outside the will of God, the consecration of the mystery creates the body and blood, He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood, abides in me and I in him.