The Christ Centred Cosmic Civilisation

Send us a textWhat happens when philosophical training clashes with biblical revelation? In this profound exploration of Augustine's theological development, we unpack his fascinating struggle with the Bible's vivid descriptions of God's appearance and the heavenly throne room.Augustine's journey begins with his immersion in Neoplatonic thought, which viewed ultimate reality as entirely non-physical, formless, and inherently unseeable. This philosophical framework created significant tension when he encountered passages from Daniel, Revelation, and Ezekiel describing God the Father seated on a throne with visible form and appearance.We trace how Augustine initially resolved this conflict by reinterpreting biblical language through abstract philosophical categories—much like Friedrich Schleiermacher would do centuries later with the Enlightenment worldview. For the young Augustine, "seeing God" didn't mean literally perceiving a divine form but achieving intellectual comprehension of divine truth.What makes Augustine's story particularly valuable is witnessing his evolution. As he matured in faith and engaged more deeply with Scripture, he began taking the Bible's physical descriptions more seriously. Though never fully abandoning his philosophical presuppositions, he developed a more nuanced position that acknowledged how God might adopt visible forms to facilitate human understanding.This episode highlights a pattern that continues today—the temptation to reframe biblical language to accommodate prevailing intellectual paradigms. Whether it's 18th-century rationalists explaining away miracles or contemporary theologians recasting the gospel in psychological terms, Christians continually face the challenge of letting Scripture speak on its own terms.The fundamental question we explore cuts to the heart of Christian theology: Is our separation from God due to an unbridgeable metaphysical gap between Creator and creature? Or is it, as Scripture suggests, primarily a consequence of sin that Christ's work overcomes? Your answer shapes not just abstract theology but your entire approach to spiritual life.How do you picture God when you pray? Join our conversation about embracing the beauty of biblical imagery and the joy of encountering the living God as He truly is.The theme music is "Wager with Angels" by Nathan Moore

Send us a textAugustine of Hippo towers over Christian theology, yet our understanding deepens dramatically when we see him through the lens of family relationships. This exploration of Augustine's older brother Navigius challenges centuries of dismissive portrayals and reveals a spiritually mature man whose wisdom often surpassed his more famous sibling's rhetorical brilliance.The podcast begins by examining how Church Fathers are frequently misrepresented by those claiming theological authority. Modern interpreters often reduce these diverse thinkers to mouthpieces for contemporary denominational positions – Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestant – when the reality was far more complex and nuanced.When examining Augustine's relationship with Navigius through his writings, particularly the Cassiacum dialogues, we discover a brother who saw through Augustine's dazzling rhetoric to identify logical fallacies and philosophical pitfalls. In one striking example, Navigius challenges Augustine's neo-Platonic assumptions about innate knowledge, advocating instead for evidence-based understanding – a position remarkably aligned with modern scientific approaches.Historical records paint Navigius as deeply spiritual, raising children who became religious leaders and helping establish the Augustinian monastic tradition alongside his mother Monica. While Augustine's spiritual journey was dramatic and tumultuous, Navigius lived a consistently faithful life that bore abundant fruit. His biblical wisdom manifested in knowing when to speak and when to remain silent, when to challenge and when to support his brilliant but sometimes misguided brother.This fresh perspective doesn't diminish Augustine's theological importance but makes him more human and relatable. By meeting Augustine's family, particularly his wise older brother, we gain deeper appreciation for the saint himself and the complex human relationships that shaped his thinking. Augustine's family reminds us that wisdom manifests not just in eloquent treatises but in quiet faithfulness and lived spirituality.The theme music is "Wager with Angels" by Nathan Moore

Send us a textMonica, Augustine's mother, has been historically eclipsed by her famous son, yet she stands as a theologian, philosopher, and the true founder of Augustinianism who shaped early Christian thought far beyond her role as Augustine's mother.• Monica wasn't exclusively focused on Augustine but cared deeply for all her children, once exiling Augustine to protect her other children from his Manichaean ideas• As a widow in early Christianity, Monica held an important leadership position that was almost like a church office, giving her spiritual authority and respect• The rediscovery of Monica's relics in Italy sparked renewed interest in her legacy and highlighted her often overlooked African identity• Monica should be recognized as the founder of Augustinian thought, with Augustine's famous "Rule" based on his sister Perpetua's abbey rule, which itself stemmed from Monica's guidance• Despite lacking formal philosophical training, Monica possessed theological insights that Augustine himself acknowledged as superior to academic approaches• Our narrow view of Monica comes from overreliance on Augustine's "Confessions" rather than his letters and other writings that reveal a more complete pictureTo appreciate Monica fully, we must engage with the broader historical record beyond the Confessions and see her as the powerful theologian and founder of the Augustinian tradition she truly was.The theme music is "Wager with Angels" by Nathan Moore

Send us a textThe story of Augustine's family has been distorted through centuries of scholarly misinterpretation. What happens when we strip away these layers of projection and examine what Augustine actually wrote about his father Patrick, his mother Monica, and his brother Navigius?Traditional portrayals depict Patrick as a villain - habitually unfaithful, violently abusive, and perpetually drunk. Monica appears as a long-suffering Christian wife enduring her pagan husband's cruelty. But these characterizations serve a specific narrative purpose: they make Augustine's spiritual journey seem more remarkable by contrast. When we examine the primary sources carefully, however, a very different picture emerges.The "wronging of the marriage bed" that Monica endured wasn't adultery, but Patrick's unwillingness to observe periods of sexual abstinence during religious festivals - a common practice among Berber Christians that continues in some Eastern churches today. The infamous "bathhouse incident" wasn't Patrick taking his son to an orgy, but simply expressing joy that Augustine showed interest in women, meaning he might marry and produce grandchildren. And the "invisible wine" that intoxicated Patrick wasn't alcohol but spiritual excitement.Most tellingly, Monica herself appears throughout Augustine's writings not as a timid, abused woman, but as forthright and courageous - someone who started riots over religious principles and wasn't afraid to discipline her son when necessary. These details paint a complex but far more positive portrait of the family that shaped Western Christianity's most influential theologian.By understanding Augustine's family more accurately, we gain insight into his theological development and can better discern where his thinking reflects genuine Christian tradition versus his own philosophical innovations. This exploration invites us to question how our modern assumptions color our reading of ancient texts and challenges us to develop a more Christ-centered perspective on church history.The theme music is "Wager with Angels" by Nathan Moore

Send us a textWelcome to a deep dive into the life and philosophy of Augustine of Hippo. We explore the substantial and debated aspects of Augustine's legacy—his influence on Western thought, the complexities of his identities, and the core themes that resonate today. - Analysis of Augustine's dual identity as a philosopher and theologian - Examination of 'Confessions' and its impact on Christian psychology - Discussion of Augustine's views on the Trinity and original sin - Contrast between earthly kingdoms and the City of God - Reflections on how Augustine's historical context mirrors modernity - Invitations to read more about Augustine and explore your own faith journey Listen to gain insights into how Augustine challenges our contemporary understanding of identity and civilization. The theme music is "Wager with Angels" by Nathan Moore

Send us a textThis episode dives deep into the cosmic implications of sin and righteousness, exploring how humanity's historical desire to define good and evil apart from Christ has led to significant moral confusion and consequences. We uncover the dangers of moral zeal and its capacity to breed destruction, all while emphasizing the vital need for a divine perspective on morality.• Defining sin not just as law-breaking, but as a breach of relationship with God • The foundational implications of Genesis on our understanding of good and evil • How human righteousness can lead to disastrous moral conclusions • The role that power dynamics play in shaping modern morality • The grave warnings given by Christ regarding the nature of sin and its consequences To learn more, explore the cosmic authority and the nature of sin within the broader context of our lives today.The theme music is "Wager with Angels" by Nathan Moore

Send us a textOur latest episode dives into the expansive relationship between God's creation and our role within it, offering a refreshing perspective on what it means to have significance in a vast universe. - Exploring the cosmic scope of creation and our humility - Understanding the Kingdom of God as a personal and living reality - Demystifying the human tendency towards abstract interpretations of God - Recognising the importance of personal connection to the divine - Challenging the feeling of insignificance and affirming our centrality in God's plan - Embracing our transformative potential in the light of divine love **Join us as we explore how your life matters in the grand narrative of God's Kingdom!**The theme music is "Wager with Angels" by Nathan Moore

Send us a textToday, we dive into the nature of God's kingship as revealed in Psalm 97, exploring its significance for our lives today. The reign of Christ invites us to rethink our understanding of power, worship, and our cosmic place in His plan.• The Lord's reign as a source of joy and justice • Exploring the Old Testament foundations of the Kingdom of God • Perspectives on cosmic phenomena as manifestations of God's glory • The challenge of wading through idolatry in our lives • How Christ’s kingship affects both believers and non-believers • Understanding our role within the cosmic narrative of God’s kingdom The theme music is "Wager with Angels" by Nathan Moore

Send us a textIn this engaging episode, we explore the concept of the Kingdom of God and how our focus shapes our actions and beliefs. We reflect on the challenge of remaining steadfast amidst worldly distractions.• The Christian focus on the unseen kingdom• Navigating the tension between community care and spiritual nourishment• Understanding the essence of love as a revolutionary force• Differentiating true Kingdom agendas from earthly narratives• Prioritising connection to Christ above societal pressuresThe theme music is "Wager with Angels" by Nathan Moore

Send us a textThis episode explores the profound implications of the Kingdom of Heaven, urging a radical re-evaluation of how earthly treasures compare to heavenly investments. By examining the teachings of Jesus and the martyrdom of Polycarp, we delve into the disruptive power of living out a faith that transcends material concerns and aligns with the eternal realities of the divine empire.  • The importance of framing the gospel within the context of the Kingdom of Heaven • Distinctions between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven • Jesus’ challenge to earthly treasure and materialism • Political implications of embracing a heavenly perspective • The disruptive potential for modern economies if Christians lived according to heavenly values • The inspiring martyrdom of Polycarp and its lessons for contemporary faith • A call to reflect on true allegiance to the divine empire, not earthly authoritiesThe theme music is "Wager with Angels" by Nathan Moore