THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
My esteemed brother Severus continues to delay the joy we anticipate from his dialogue, a debt he recognizes he owes us. Throughout his travels to various Churches, the Lord has rejoiced through his words; thus, the Church from which the Lord's teachings have spread should rejoice even more. What choice do we have but to comply with his wishes? Yet, dear friends, I must emphasize that he has postponed rather than misled us. Let us view him as a debtor whom we will not release until he fulfills his obligation.
Listen closely, beloved: as the Lord allows, let us reflect on this Psalm, which you are already familiar with; for a renewed acknowledgment of the truth is delightful. When its title is mentioned, some may react with surprise, as it states, “When the house was built after the Captivity.” Since this title precedes the text, one might expect to hear details of the stones hewn from mountains, the materials brought to the site, the foundations laid, the beams elevated, and the columns erected. However, the Psalm's song speaks of none of these things. It is not the house constructed in a single location or region.
The Psalmist begins by saying: “Sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth” (Psalm 94:1). If the entirety of creation sings a new song, it simultaneously builds as it praises; the act of singing constructs, but only if it offers a new song. The desires of the flesh echo the old song, while the love of God resonates with the new. Hear why it is a new song: the Lord declares, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another” (John 15:12). Hence, the whole earth is singing a new song and thus, the house of God is being constructed there. The entire earth is the dwelling place of God.
If the whole earth serves as God's house, then anyone who does not adhere to it is merely ruin and not a dwelling; those ancient ruins, which were mere shadows of the former temple. For the old has been destroyed so that the new may be established. The apostle binds us to this very structure, uniting us in harmony, stating, “Indulging one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3). Where the Spirit's unity resides, there is a singular stone, which was formed from many. How does unity emerge from many? Through humility toward one another in love.
Thus, the house of our Lord is being built; this is what is being realized, as echoed in the readings and the preaching of the Gospel across the earth, while it is under renovation. This house is vast and encompasses many nations; nevertheless, it has yet to supplant all nations. Through its growth, it has confined many, and will ultimately prevail over all, despite those who claim allegiance to its house, insisting that it has relinquished its standing. It continues to flourish, destined for realization, and all nations yet to believe are marked for faith; who can say which tongues will believe? Which of the barbarians will come to faith?
What does the appearance of the Holy Spirit in fiery tongues (Acts 2:3) indicate, except that no tongue is so hardened that it cannot be softened by this flame? Various barbarian nations have already embraced Christ: He claims lands where the Roman Empire has not yet encompassed; what is blocked by the sword is open to those who wield wooden implements. For the Lord reigned out of the wooden cross. Who fights with wood? Christ. Through His cross, He triumphed over rulers, placing that very symbol upon their foreheads when they were subdued; they pride themselves in it, for therein lies their salvation. This work is ongoing; the house expands, and to confirm this, listen to the subsequent verses of the Psalm: see how they toil to construct the dwelling.
“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 instructed that we spread the good news of His salvation continually. Let it be shared daily; “day by day,” says He, “let it be built; let My house increase.” It might seem as if the laborers inquire, “Where ought we to construct?” Seeking an expansive area, if indeed a spacious house is desired. Where should we announce the Gospel day by day? He indicates the location: “Proclaim to the Gentiles His glory.” It is His glory, not ours. Builders, declare His honor to the nations. If you intend to declare your own honor, you will stumble; if you declare His, you will be edified while you build.
Thus, those who seek to exalt their own honor shun dwelling in this house; therefore, they do not sing a new song with all of creation. They do not share in the global chorus, lacking the strength to build a true house, but rather erect a mere façade. How sternly does God denounce the whitewashed wall (Ezekiel 13:10)! Countless accounts from the Prophets reveal His curse upon such pretense. What is a whitewashed wall but hypocrisy? It appears clean from the outside, yet is filthy within.
One man remarked of this façade: it is like creating a door in a solitary wall, disconnected from others—those who enter will find themselves outside the house. Thus, those who turn their backs on the new song to build a weak, whitewashed structure devoid of strength; what value is there in having a door if entering leads to exclusion? Since they have not entered through the true door, they cannot enter their own door. The Lord declares, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:9).
“Proclaim His honor to the Gentiles.” Who are the Gentiles? Is it a select few among the nations? What of the regions of Getulia, Numidia, Mauritania, and Byzacia—are they not also nations? Provinces are indeed nations. Let the Word of God take away the pretense from the whitewashed wall, establishing a house over all the earth. It is insufficient to declare, “Proclaim Him to the Gentiles,” lest one believe it excludes any nations; therefore, He adds, “And His wonders to all people.”
“For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised” (Psalm 95:4). Who but Jesus Christ is the Great One? You know assuredly that He appeared in the flesh; you know that He was conceived in the womb of a woman, born from that womb, nurtured, carried, circumcised, and a sacrifice offered for His growth; ultimately, you know that He suffered the trials of beating, spitting, crowning with thorns, crucifixion, death, and piercing; you know He endured all these for our sake: He is the Great One—unworthy of praise.
Let us not regard the insignificant but rather grasp the profound. He became small due to our condition; let Him be recognized as great, and in His greatness, we shall attain greatness as well. What can a feeble tongue convey in praise of the Almighty? By saying "Above all praise," He gives the imagination a notion to contemplate: it is akin to suggesting, “That which I cannot articulate, ponder upon it"; and when you have pondered, it will still be insufficient. What human expression could articulate what is beyond comprehension?
The Lord is great and greatly to be praised. Let Him be exalted and proclaimed: declare His honor and construct His house.
For truly the place He intended for His house is indeed a forest. As mentioned previously, the very site is wooded. He sought out this house found in the woods. Why is this place forested? Because men worshiped idols: it is no wonder they fed swine. The wayward son, who abandoned his father, squandered all on prostitutes, living as a prodigal, tended to swine (Luke 15:12-15), which symbolizes the worship of demons; and due to the pagan superstition, the entire earth morphed into a forest.
The one who builds a house uproots trees; thus it is stated, “While the house was being built, after the captivity.” For mankind was held captive by the devil, serving demons, but they were ransomed from that captivity. They could sell but not redeem themselves. The Redeemer arrived and set the price; He shed His blood to purchase the world. You question what He has purchased? Consider what He gave; discern what He bought. The cost was the blood of Christ. What could be equal to that? Nothing less than the whole world; nothing less than all nations.
Those who claim the price is too small—insisting it was paid solely for a select few—exemplify either ingratitude or arrogance. Let them not rejoice or boast: He gave what He offered to the entire world. He discerned what He bought because He understood the price He paid. Thus, in our redemption, the house is built after the captivity.
Who are those who kept us captive? Those to whom it is said, “Declare His glory,” are also the ones who clear away the trees to liberate the earth from bondage and build and raise up, proclaiming the greatness of the Lord's house. How can the demonic tree be uprooted unless the One who transcends all is proclaimed? All nations had demons as their deities; the so-called gods were, as the Apostle states plainly, “That which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God” (1 Corinthians 10:20). Thus, they were held captive because they offered sacrifices to demons, resulting in the entire earth being left as woods.
“For to be feared above all gods” is most true, for he adds, “As for all the gods of the heathen, they are devils.” All the gods of the heathens are devils. And is this the exaltation of He who is unworthy that He is above all pagan deities, who are demons? Listen to this: God created the heavens. Thus, He stands not only above all gods but also above all the heavens He has formed.
Had he said merely, “above all gods,” it would imply lesser stature for our understanding of Christ; but when he declares, “But the Lord made the heavens,” observe the vast difference between heaven and demons and between heaven and the Creator of the heavens. He does not say, “But the Lord sitteth in the heavens,” for that might suggest another could have made them while He sat on a throne, but asserts instead, “the Lord made the heavens.”
In creating the heavens, He also made the angels; He made the angels, and He made the apostles. The devils yielded before the Apostles; the Apostles themselves formed the heavens proclaiming the Lord. O heavens He has fashioned, declare His honor to the nations! Let His abode be established throughout the entire earth; let all creation raise a new song.
Confession and beauty are before Him (Psalm 95:6). Do you desire beauty? Long for loveliness? Confess it! He did not mention beauty and confession but rather confession leading to beauty. You have wronged; confess to be made right: you have sinned; confess to attain righteousness. You may distort yourself, but cannot manufacture beauty. How could our Bride, enamored with her Groom, disfigure herself to attain beauty? Some may wonder: did He indeed come for the unattractive? “I came,” He states, “not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13). Whom does He deem deserving of such a call? Not to allow them to remain in sin—but how shall they cease to be sinful? Through confession and beauty before Him.
They honor Him through the confession of their transgressions, discarding that which they once indulged in greedily; they do not return to their folly like an unclean animal (2 Peter 2:22), and thus there appears a connection between confession and beauty: we cherish beauty; let us first choose confession so that beauty may arise.
Moreover, there are those who cherish power and majesty, aspiring to be as great as angels. Indeed, angels possess power, a strength so formidable that when fully deployed, none can withstand it. Every soul desires angelic power, but not every heart appreciates righteousness. First, love righteousness, and power will inevitably accompany you.