Confessions - Book XI - Chapter Xxx
St. Augustine elucidates the eternal nature of God as the Creator beyond time, urging believers to embrace divine truth over futile human speculation.
In this profound exposition from Confessions Book XI, St. Augustine explores the eternal nature of God as the Creator who exists beyond the confines of time. He challenges common human misconceptions about creation and time, urging believers to anchor their faith in divine truth rather than futile questions. This sermon offers deep theological insight into the relationship between God, time, and creation, encouraging a steadfast trust in God's immutable nature.
Text
40. And I will be immovable and fixed in thee, and thy truth will be my mold. And I shall not have to endure the questions of those men who, as if in a morbid disease, thirst for more than they can hold and say, \"What did God make before he made heaven and earth?\" or, \"How did it come into his mind to make something when he had never before made anything?\" Grant them, O Lord, to consider well what they are saying; and grant them to see that where there is no time they cannot say \"never.\" When, therefore, he is said \"never to have made\" something--what is this but to say that it was made in no time at all? Let them therefore see that there could be no time without a created world, and let them cease to speak vanity of this kind. Let them also be stretched out to those things which are before them, and understand that thou, the eternal Creator of all times, art before all times and that no times are coeternal with thee; nor is any creature, even if there is a creature \"above time.\"
Sermon Outline
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I. The Nature of God’s Eternity
- God exists before all time and creation
- No creature or time is coeternal with God
- God’s truth is immutable and foundational
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II. The Concept of Time and Creation
- Time began with the created world
- Questions about 'before creation' misunderstand time
- Human speculation often leads to vanity
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III. Embracing Divine Truth
- Trust in God’s eternal nature over human doubts
- Avoid fruitless questioning about God’s creative process
- Focus on the revealed truth in Scripture
Key Quotes
“And I will be immovable and fixed in thee, and thy truth will be my mold.” — St. Augustine
“Let them therefore see that there could be no time without a created world, and let them cease to speak vanity of this kind.” — St. Augustine
“Thou, the eternal Creator of all times, art before all times and that no times are coeternal with thee.” — St. Augustine
Application Points
- Trust in God’s eternal and unchanging nature rather than being troubled by unanswered questions.
- Recognize that time began with creation and avoid futile speculation about what preceded it.
- Anchor your faith in the revealed truths of Scripture to withstand doubts and confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Augustine mean by God being 'before all times'?
He means that God exists outside and independent of time, which itself began with creation.
Why does Augustine reject questions about what God made before creation?
Because such questions misunderstand time and imply a temporal sequence before time existed.
How should believers respond to difficult theological questions?
They should trust in God’s revealed truth and avoid vain speculation beyond human understanding.
What is the significance of God’s immovability in this sermon?
It highlights God’s unchanging nature as the foundation for faith and truth.