THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
My esteemed lord and brother Severus continues to delay the joy that his discussions with us are meant to bring, acknowledging that he is in debt to us. For all the congregations he has visited, the Lord has delighted in his words, and certainly, that particular Church should find greater cause for celebration, as it is the one from which the Lord’s message has radiated to others. However, we must simply comply with his wishes. I have mentioned to you, dear brethren, that while he may have postponed his arrival, he has not betrayed us. Let us therefore regard him as a debtor, and hold him accountable until he fulfills this obligation.
Let us now, beloved, be attentive: as the Lord allows, let us reflect on this Psalm, which you are already familiar with, for a renewed reference to the truth is delightful. Some may have been taken aback upon hearing its title: it is inscribed, "When the house was built after the Captivity." With the title preceding this, one might anticipate that the Psalm would detail the stones hewn from mountains or the foundations laid, but this song does not concern such matters. It is not a physical house that is being constructed here, as the building is not confined to a single location or specific region.
He begins by declaring: “Sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth” (Psalm 94:1). If the entire earth offers a new song, it thus contributes to the construction while singing; the act of singing becomes a means of building, but only if one sings a new song. The desires of the flesh sing an old tune, while divine love sings something fresh. The reason it is deemed a new song is explained by the Lord when He states, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another” (John 15:12). Hence, the earth joins in a new song, constructing the house of God. If the entirety of the earth constitutes this house, then anyone who does not cling to it is not a true structure, but a ruin, resembling the old remnants that cast shadows of the ancient temple. The old was destroyed for the new to be established.
The Apostle connects us to this spiritual edifice, binding us together in unity through the words, “Indulging one another with love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3). Where the Spirit’s unity resides, there is one stone formed from many. How do many become one? By humbling themselves in love. Thus, the house of our Lord is being built, as indicated by the words, the readings, the proclamation of the Gospel globally, while it is under construction. This house has greatly expanded, encompassing numerous nations, yet it has not yet subdued all. Its growth has held many and will ultimately prevail over all, with some claiming to belong to this house while asserting it has lost its stature. It continues to grow, and the nations yet to believe are destined for faith; who can determine if this tongue will believe? What indicates the descent of the Holy Spirit in fiery tongues (Acts 2:3) if not that no tongue is too hard to be softened by this fire?
We acknowledge that many barbarian nations have already embraced Christ; regions where the Roman Empire has never tread now belong to Him. What barriers remain for the sword-wielders are not challenges to those armed with the wooden cross, for the Lord reigns through the wood. Who fights with the wood? Christ. By His cross, He conquered sovereigns, placing that same cross upon them when they were defeated, and they take pride in it, for in its embrace lies their salvation. This is the work being accomplished, as the house is expanded and constructed. You will hear the following verses of the Psalm, observing 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 the edifice enlarged? It is through the daily proclamation of His salvation. Let it be preached each day; let His house grow, as God desires. It is as if the builders ask, "Where should we construct this?" They seek a broad, flat space for a large house. Where should we deliver the Gospel day by day? The answer is this: “Proclaim to the Gentiles His honour” – His, not ours. O builders, declare His honour to the Gentiles. If you claim your own honour, you will falter; but if you proclaim His, you will be strengthened while you build. Those who seek to promote themselves have chosen not to reside in this house, and thus do not sing a new song with the earth; they do not share in the universal chorus and therefore erect a false façade.
How severe is God’s warning against those façades! (Ezekiel 13:10). There are numerous testimonies from the prophets condemning the pretentious wall. What is a pretentious wall but hypocrisy? It is deception: bright on the outside and filthy within. A certain individual described this wall perfectly: if you create an entrance in a stand-alone wall, anyone who enters will find themselves outside the house; similarly, by rejecting the new song alongside the community, one chooses to build only a flimsy partition, which serves no purpose. For having failed to enter through the door, their entrance will not allow them in. The Lord declares, “I am the door: by me they enter in” (John 10:9).
Declare His honour to the Gentiles. Who are the Gentiles? Perhaps only a few nations come to mind, but even provinces count as nations. Let the word of God take down hypocrisy and create a house over the entire world. It is insufficient to say, “Proclaim Him to the Gentiles,” unless you add, “and His miracles to all men.”
“For great is the Lord and unworthy of praise” (Psalm 95:4). Which Lord is great and unworthy of praise but Jesus Christ? You know well that He appeared as a man: that He was conceived in a woman’s womb, born, nurtured, carried, circumcised, and offered a sacrifice as He grew; indeed, you know He was beaten, spat upon, crowned with thorns, crucified, died, and pierced with a spear; you know He endured all of this: He is great and unworthy of praise. Do not scorn the small, but understand the significant. He became small for our sake: let Him be acknowledged as great, and in Him, you too shall be great.
What can a small tongue utter in praise of the Almighty? When it asserts, “Above praise,” only the imagination is given something to ponder: “What I cannot express, consider it”; and upon reflection, you will find it insufficient. What human expression can articulate the inexpressible? The Lord remains great and unworthy of praise. Let Him be exalted and proclaimed: declare His honour and build His house.
For the place where He desires to establish a dwelling is itself wooded, as we noted yesterday. Indeed, it is in the wood that He seeks His house. Why is this place wooded? Because people worshipped idols; it is no wonder they fed swine. That wayward son who abandoned his father, who squandered his inheritance on indulgence while tending swine (Luke 15:12-15), symbolizes the worship of demons. Because of the pagans’ superstition, the entire earth became a forest. He who builds a house must uproot trees; thus it was stated, “While the house was being built, after the captivity.” For people were enslaved by the devil, serving demons, but they have been redeemed from that bondage.
They could sell themselves, but they could not free themselves. The Redeemer arrived, set the price, shed His blood, and redeemed the entire world. You may wonder what this price purchased; observe what He offered, and discern what He acquired. The price was the blood of Christ. What possibly equals that? What but the whole world? What but all nations? Those who boast that the price was minor—believing it only pertains to certain regions—show either great ingratitude or arrogance. He offered what He did for the entirety of humanity, being fully aware of His purchase and its cost. Thus, the house rises after captivity, with those who have held us captive being the very ones to declare, “Declare His glory.”
They are tasked with clearing away the trees so that they might uproot the undergrowth and liberate the earth, heralding the grandeur of the Lord's house. How can the demonic tree be removed if He who is above all is not proclaimed? All nations once had devils as their deities; what they regarded as gods were indeed demons, as the Apostle clarifies, “That which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God” (1 Corinthians 10:20). Thus, they were in captivity due to offering their sacrifices to demons, leaving the earth in a wooded state while He alone is exalted above all mortal accolades.
For when it is said, “He is to be feared above all gods,” it continues with, “As for all the gods of the heathen, they are devils.” For indeed, all pagan gods are demons. Is the exaltation of someone deemed unworthy of glory placed merely in comparison to the pagan’s false deities? Listen to this: “God created the heavens.” Therefore, He is not only above all gods, but also above the heavens He has created.
If he had only stated His supremacy over the false gods, implying their inferiority by calling them demons, it would still understate our Lord’s majesty; but when he asserts, “But the Lord made the heavens,” notice the vast difference between heaven and demons, and even more so between heaven and the Creator of the heavens. He did not simply state, “But the Lord sits in the heavens,” as if someone else might have formed them while He tiers upon the throne; rather, “the Lord made the heavens.”
If He fashioned the heavens, He also crafted the angels; He created them, and He also appointed the apostles. The apostles, in turn, wielded authority over demons, as they became the vessels giving birth to the Lord. O heavens created by Him, proclaim His honour to the Gentiles! Let His house be constructed across the globe, and let the entire earth sing a new song.
“Confession and beauty” before Him (Psalm 95:6). Do you cherish beauty? Do you desire to be beautiful? Then confess it! He did not order beauty alongside confession but emphasized confession before beauty. If you have acted unjustly, confess, so you may be deemed just. If you have sinned, confess so you may be righteous. While you can unmake your form, you cannot make yourself beautiful.
How does our Bride, enamored by the Man, spoil herself for beauty? Some may ask, how does He love the unlovely? He proclaimed, “I came to call not the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13). Who does He call sinners to remain in sin? No, He desires transformation. How will they cease to be sinners? Through confession before Him. They honour Him through the admission of their wrongdoings, expelling the wickedness they once loved; they do not return to their filth like a dog to its vomit (2 Peter 2:22).
Then there shall be confession and beauty: we cherish beauty; select confession first, so that beauty may follow. There are also those who yearn for power and majesty, wishing to attain the greatness of angels. Angels indeed carry a certain splendor and power, such that if they exercise it entirely, it is irresistible. While every soul desires angelic power, not all appreciate their righteousness. Above all, cherish righteousness; then power will accompany you.
What follows? Holiness and greatness find their source in His sanctity. Previously, you pursued greatness; first desire righteousness; when you are righteous, you shall be elevated. For if you comically seek to be exalted first, you shall stumble before you can rise: you do not elevate yourself; He shall elevate you. You will rise more effectively if He who is unfalling lifts you; He who crouches down comes to your aid: you are downcast; He draws near and extends His hand; you cannot rise on your own strength. Accept the hand of Him who descends, that you may be lifted by the Mighty One.