The Life of Martin of Tours by Sulpicius Severus tells the story of St. Martin, a saint and bishop who was recognized by many for his dedication to God and his ability to perform miracles that converted the masses. Martin lives a life dedicated to the Christian faith and is characterized by an exceedingly humble path into Christian leadership, especially for a man so richly and divinely endowed with God’s grace and protection. Severus writes of St. Martin’s life with a great sense of importance and a belief that his subject has led a life worth recounting for the sake of demonstrating what a truly virtuous Christian life should look like. By creating an aggrandized account of St. Martin’s life, his supernatural piety, and his many miraculous
…show more content…
Martin’s story as an example to others. Unlike the accounts of men who the world considered great and who according to him “seek perpetuity for themselves only with regard to human memory,” (White, 135) he believes that St. Martin is an exemplification of what men ought to seek, that is eternal life not eternal fame. A seemingly Christian writer, Severus takes great pains to make Desiderius, to whom he sends his account of St. Martin, aware of his discomfort writing on St. Martin given his lack of literary eloquence in order to highlight just how important he believes St. Martin’s story to be for the spreading of God’s word. His desire to write on the subject is evangelical as suggested in his insistence in a genuine belief in both the authenticity of St. Martin’s story and its implications for the Christian world. As a piece of evangelistic literature, Severus’ account of St. Martin’s life focuses on three major ideas that make St. Martin’s life relatable to Christians and the conversion of non believers. He emphasizes on St. Martin’s struggle with authority, his tussle with Paganism, and his resilient faith in God. Aiming to give encouragement and inspiration through St. Martin’s actions, Severus uses these three interactions because of their great relevance to Christian life and its struggles, crucial to the preservation of Christianity and the spreading of the
Martin’s story as an example to others. Unlike the accounts of men who the world considered great and who according to him “seek perpetuity for themselves only with regard to human memory,” (White, 135) he believes that St. Martin is an exemplification of what men ought to seek, that is eternal life not eternal fame. A seemingly Christian writer, Severus takes great pains to make Desiderius, to whom he sends his account of St. Martin, aware of his discomfort writing on St. Martin given his lack of literary eloquence in order to highlight just how important he believes St. Martin’s story to be for the spreading of God’s word. His desire to write on the subject is evangelical as suggested in his insistence in a genuine belief in both the authenticity of St. Martin’s story and its implications for the Christian world. As a piece of evangelistic literature, Severus’ account of St. Martin’s life focuses on three major ideas that make St. Martin’s life relatable to Christians and the conversion of non believers. He emphasizes on St. Martin’s struggle with authority, his tussle with Paganism, and his resilient faith in God. Aiming to give encouragement and inspiration through St. Martin’s actions, Severus uses these three interactions because of their great relevance to Christian life and its struggles, crucial to the preservation of Christianity and the spreading of the