THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
My dear lord and brother Severus continues to delay the joy we anticipate from his conversations, which he owes us, acknowledging his obligation. Across all the Churches he has visited, the Lord has rejoiced through his words; that particular Church, from which the Lord has extended His preaching to others, should rejoice even more. Yet, what can we do but submit to his timing? I mention, dear brethren, that he has not misled us but has simply postponed his arrival. Therefore, let us regard him as a debtor and not release him until he fulfills his promise. Pay close attention, beloved: as the Lord allows, let us say a few words about this Psalm, which you undoubtedly recognize; for a new reflection on the truth is a delight. Some may have been surprised when its title was mentioned, as it states, "When the house was built after the Captivity." Given that this title precedes the text, one might expect to hear details about the stones quarried from the mountains, the materials brought to the site, the foundations set, the beams elevated, and the columns raised. However, the psalm does not mention these things; the house being built is not limited to a physical structure in a specific location. Instead, it opens with the command: "Sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth" (Psalm 94:1). When the entire earth sings a new song, it builds itself in the very act of praise, but only if it does not sing the old tune. The desires of the flesh sing the old song; the love for God sings the new. Listen to why it qualifies as a new song: "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another" (John 15:12). Therefore, when the entire earth sings a new song, it signifies that the house of God is being constructed everywhere. The entirety of the earth exists as God's dwelling. If the whole earth is indeed the house of God, then anyone who does not adhere to the earth is merely a ruin, not a home—like the dilapidated structures hinting at the former temple. The old was swept away so that the new could emerge.
The apostle binds us into this very edifice, fastening us together in unity, saying, "Indulging one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:2-3). Where the unity of the Spirit is present, there exists a singular stone; yet this stone is formed from many. How is this one stone derived from many? By humbling ourselves in love for one another. So the house of the Lord our God is being erected; these are the very works, the readings, and the preaching of the Gospel that spread throughout the world while it is being built. This house has expanded significantly, encompassing many nations, but it has not yet subdued all. Through its growth, it will embrace many and ultimately prevail over all. This notion is dismissed by those who claim to be members of this house and insist that it has already lost its prominence. It continues to grow, and all nations yet to believe are destined for faith; who can ascertain whether any tongue will believe? Will even the barbarians come to faith? What does the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in fiery tongues (Acts 2:3) signify if not that no tongue is too hardened to be softened by this divine flame? For we know that many barbarian nations have already come to believe in Christ: regions untouched by the Roman Empire already belong to Him; what remains out of reach for those who wield swords does not elude those who combat with the humility of wood. For the Lord reigns from the wood. Who wields that wood? Christ. By His cross, He vanquished kings, and He imprinted that same cross upon their foreheads once they were subdued; it is from that cross they boast, for therein lies their salvation. This is the work underway, as the house grows and is established; and to further illustrate, listen to the following verses of the Psalm: "See how they labor and build the house. Sing unto the Lord, all the earth."
"Sing unto the Lord, bless his name: proclaim the good news of his salvation day by day" (Psalm 95:2). How is this building expanded? He commands to "proclaim the good news of His salvation day by day." Let it be preached daily; day by day, He instructs, let My house, says God, increase. It is as if the workers ask, "Where do You wish this to be built?" Where do You desire Your house to expand? Choose for us a flat, spacious place if You wish for a large house to be erected. Where do You command us to preach the Gospel daily? The answer is clear: "Proclaim to the Gentiles His honor.” It must be His honor, not ours. Builders, declare His honor to the Gentiles. If you seek to promote your honor, you will fall; but if you declare His, you will be uplifted while you build. Therefore, those who strive to promote their honor have refused to dwell in this house and do not join in singing a new song with all the earth. They lack participation in the universal choir, and thus do not construct a real house, but merely a flimsy wall. How severe is God’s warning against this whitewashed wall! (Ezekiel 13:10) Numerous testimonies from the Prophets curse such pretense. What is a whitewashed wall but hypocrisy and deceit? Bright on the outside, yet filthy within.
A certain individual, commenting on this whitewashed wall, remarked: imagine constructing a door in a solitary wall disconnected from others; whoever enters will find themselves outside the house. Similarly, those who refuse to sing a new song along with the chorus, but instead decide to erect a fragile, whitewashed wall, what lasting good is their door? Entering it means finding oneself out of the house. Their door fails to admit them since they have not entered through the true door. For the Lord declares, "I am the door: by me they enter in" (John 10:9). Proclaim His honor to the Gentiles. Who are the Gentiles? Surely, nations are not limited to a few; why does the part that built the white wall still claim that Getulia, Numidia, Mauritania, and Byzacia are not nations? Provinces constitute nations. Let the word of God cleanse the message from hypocrisy, crafting a house that embraces the entire world. It is insufficient to state, "Proclaim Him to the Gentiles," lest anyone conclude that some nations are excluded; he adds, "and His miracles to all men."
"For great is the Lord and unworthy of praise" (Psalm 95:4). Who but Jesus Christ fits the title of great and worthy of veneration? You know without doubt that He manifested as a Man; you know well that He was conceived in a woman’s womb, born, nurtured, and cared for; circumcised, and offered as a sacrifice to grow. Ultimately, you are aware that He was beaten, spat upon, crowned with thorns, crucified, died, and pierced with a spear; He endured all of this and is undoubtedly great and deserving of praise. Do not disregard the small; recognize the large. He assumed smallness for your sake; let Him be seen as great, and therefore you in Him shall also be great. For what can any small tongue proclaim about the One who is truly great? He has declared that He is "above all praise," providing the imagination with concepts it can grasp, almost saying, "Meditate on that which is beyond utterance"; yet even after you ponder it, it will not suffice. What mortal thought can articulate what no human language can express? The Lord is great and beyond measure. Let Him be extolled and proclaimed; declare His honor and contribute to the construction of His house.
For the place where He desired to build a house is itself abundant in wood, and as we mentioned yesterday, we found it in the forest. When He said "in the woods," what did He mean? Because men worshipped images, it is no surprise that they fed swine. The son who forsook his father and squandered his wealth on wayward living, ultimately tending to swine (Luke 15:12-15), was in fact worshiping devils; and through the superstitions of the Gentiles, the whole earth became a dense forest. By building a house, the builder uproots trees, which is why it mentions, "While the house was being built, after the captivity." For humans were captives to the devil, serving him until they were ransomed. They could sell themselves but could not redeem their own lives. The Redeemer arrived and paid the price; He shed His blood and redeemed the entire creation. What did He purchase? Consider what He has given; this reveals what He bought. The price was Christ’s blood. What can compare? What other than all of creation? How ungrateful or arrogant are those insisting the cost is trivial, asserting that it was solely given to Africans, or declaring themselves so significant as to warrant exclusivity. Let them not boast or feel proud; for that which was given was for the sake of the whole world. He knew what He redeemed, for He understood the price He paid. Thus, with our redemption, the house is raised after the captivity. Those who held us captive—the very ones to whom it is commanded, "Declare His glory"—are the ones who clear away obstacles to foster growth and liberate the earth from its captivity, erecting and proclaiming the magnificence of the Lord’s house. How can the demonic, tangled roots be eradicated unless He, who reigns above them all, is publicly proclaimed? For all nations had devils as their gods; what they regarded as divinity were indeed demons, as the Apostle clearly states: "That which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God" (1 Corinthians 10:20). Thus, they were held captive due to their offerings to demons, allowing the earth to remain as dense and unyielding as wood, yet He is declared great and existing beyond all worldly praise.
"For He is to be feared above all gods" when it is declared, "As for all the gods of the nations, they are devils." All idols worshipped by Gentiles are merely demons. Does this indicate that He, who is unworthy of praise, is honored by being recognized above the false gods of the pagans? Hear this: "God created the heavens." Thus, He is not just exalted above all gods but also above all the heavens He fashioned, the Lord. If He merely said "above all gods," it would signify that the gods of the Gentiles are demons, and if our Lord's praise ended there, it would fall short of how we ought to regard Christ. But when he proclaimed, "But the Lord made the heavens," observe the distinction between heaven and demons, and between heaven and Him who crafted the heavens; consider how infinitely elevated the Lord is. He did not simply say, "But the Lord sits in the heavens," as it may have been conceivable for another to have created them while He sat upon a throne, but rather declares, "the Lord made the heavens." If He made the heavens, He indeed created the angels as well; He Himself formed the angels, He Himself appointed the apostles. The demons submitted to the Apostles, who were as heavens giving birth to the Lord... O heavens that He has made, proclaim His honor unto the Gentiles! Let His house expand throughout the whole earth; let the entirety of creation join in singing a new song.