Faith Building: Augustine on the Atributes of God

St. Augustine was, far and away, the most keen theological mind of his own age and remains one of the most influential thinkers in Christendom. His works have shaped Roman Catholics and Protestants alike and continue to be read by seminary students, pastors, scholars, and lay people.

In his work known as the Confessions, Augustine lays out his faith in the form of deeply personal prayer. He doesn't just talk about God, he talks to God. The whole volume is full of stunning theological reflection mixed with powerful personal witness and fervent crying out to the Lord.

In that regard, The Confessions of Saint Augustine stubbornly defies any attempt to be relegated into a handy category or genre. It is not an autobiography, yet Augustine does recount his life's journey with many intimate details. It is not a liturgy text, though many passages have been used in public worship settings. It is not a devotional work as we might think of devotionals, and yet it can be used in that way. It is also not a pure piece of theology because Augustine makes no attempt at scholarly objectivity, and yet there are nuggets of profound theological truth on just about every page.

Below is a passage in which Augustine describes the attributes of God. As you read, I encourage you to reflect on your own understanding of God. Have you taken the time to ponder the great paradoxes of the Divine?

Enjoy!

What, then, is my God? What, I ask, unless the Lord God? Who is Lord but the Lord? Or who is God but our God?

Most high, most good, most mighty, most almighty; most beautiful and most strong; stable and incomprehensible; unchangeable, yet changing all things; never new, never old, yet renewing all things; leading proud men into senility, although they know it not; ever active, and ever at rest; gathering in, yet needing nothing; supporting, fulfilling, and protecting things; creating, nourishing, and perfecting them; searching them out, although nothing is lacking in you.

You love, but are not inflamed with passion; you are jealous, yet free from care; you repent, but do not sorrow; you grow angry, but remain tranquil. You change your works, but do not change your plan; you take back what you find, although you never lost it; you are never in want, but you rejoice in gain; you are never covetous, yet you exact usery. Excessive payments are made to you, so that you may be our debtor- yet who has anything that is not yours? You pay debts, although you ow no man anything; you cancel debts, and lose nothing. What have we said, my God, my life, my holy delight? Or what does any man say when he speaks of you? Yet woe to those who keep silent concerning you, since those who speak much are as the dumb.

Confessions, Book One Chapter 4- as translated by John K. Ryan- from the edition published by Image Press of New York.