St. Augustine

This is me...procrastinating on writing my paper. But, I am doing research on it! That's a good start, right?

Well, anyway, my paper is over the Canon of the Scripture and what key events happened to make the whole of the Canon. I was reading over an article I found on Liberty's online Library (yes, I know a Library online...who woulda thunk?) The article is "The Canon of Holy Scripture: An Anglican Note".  While I was reading, I came across a quote from St. Augustine. You might've heard one of his other quotes that I loved, until I realized...well, actually, he is wrong in it. That quote went, "preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words." Meaning that an unbeliever should be able to look in your life at your actions and see the Gospel. Well, that's true, but using words is also very necessary to explain the Gospel. 

(I am putting in a small break...KRISTY...this is your time to use the bathroom, get a coffee, or just let your brain relax for a second and let the ADHD wear off for a min....)

;o ) 

.... 

Ok, and we're back. So the quote that good 'ol St. Augustine had in this article was, "I would not believe the Gospel to be true unless the authority of the Catholic Church moved me to it." Well, Aug. I think you may be a little off here. I think you would believe the Gospel to be true, because the Holy Spirit has drawn you to believe it is. Redemption was placed in your heart by the Holy Spirit who is calling you to Jesus Christ. It seems to me that Aug. here is putting the Catholic Church as his authority. There is a Charles Spurgeon quote that I'm thinking of that kind of contrasts what St. Aug. is saying... (let me google it so I won't mess it up...be right back.  [Kristy, here's another break]) 

This quote is concerning election, but Spurgeon says, "I believe in the doctrine of election, because I am quite sure that if God had not chosen me I would have never have chosen him; and I am sure he chose me before I was born, or else he would have never have chosen me afterward." 

I guess the contrast I see here is that St. Augustine was letting the Catholic Church tell him that Scripture is true. But Charles Spurgeon was saying the he is letting the Holy Spirit is the one that has drawn him to Christ. 

Not sure if that made sense...

ok, back to my paper. 

♥