People talk about Christianity as a religion that makes life on earth easier and more enjoyable. However, this is not the way God, believers, and Christian philosophers view their faith. Christianity does not benefit humans on earth, but God and the eternal kingdom; the acts of believers exemplify the eternal. Christians lived a harder life because God called believers to give up the material world for the eternal. The religious motives and actions of Christians direct Christians apart from the world and into eternal life.
Faith in the eternal motivated Christians to focus on God, instead of the pleasure of seeking earthly desires. In City of God, Augustine explained the difference between the city of God, city of man, the heavenly city, and …show more content…
In The Martyrdom of Perpetua, the Romans persecuted the Christians because Christians did not make desirable neighbors. However, the actions of Perpetua and Christians pointed to confidence in God, instead of fear of death. Before the Roman state killed Perpetua, she said, “Now it is I who suffer, but then another shall be in me bear the pain for me, since I am now suffering for Him” (334). Perpetua understood suffering was beneficial because it praised God for his promise of eternal life. The fear of death could scare Perpetua and her fellow Christians, nevertheless they were joyful: “The day of victory dawned, and with joyful countenances they marched from the prison to the arena as though on their way to heaven” (334). Christians revealed that they did not place their life in the world, but in the hope of eternal life and the glory of …show more content…
The thought of eternal life governed the actions of many believers. In the City of God, Augustine wrote “for [Christians] rule not from a love of power, but from a sense of the duty they owe to others—not because they are proud of authority, but because they love mercy” (365). Christians did not live life to rule over others, but lived to serve others and show compassion. Unlike the Romans, who lived life to rule on earth with power and authority to better themselves. Christians challenged popular attitudes of authority because they did not want authority to come from an earthly perspective, but from the eternal perspective. Augustine described the men who love God as pursuing glory, strength, and wisdom from God because of the reward of the eternal. He described other men and institutions as pursuing glory, strength, and wisdom for the world and self. (363-364). Christians understood this difference between living life for self and living life for God. Once again, the religion of Christianity showed the hope of eternal life because they would rather please God than man.
Augustine’s City of God showed Christianity’s foundation in eternal life through the desire to please God and live by faith. This inspired the actions of Christians to live differently from society. Christians were motivated to focus on God, please and praise God, and live life inversely
Faith in the eternal motivated Christians to focus on God, instead of the pleasure of seeking earthly desires. In City of God, Augustine explained the difference between the city of God, city of man, the heavenly city, and …show more content…
In The Martyrdom of Perpetua, the Romans persecuted the Christians because Christians did not make desirable neighbors. However, the actions of Perpetua and Christians pointed to confidence in God, instead of fear of death. Before the Roman state killed Perpetua, she said, “Now it is I who suffer, but then another shall be in me bear the pain for me, since I am now suffering for Him” (334). Perpetua understood suffering was beneficial because it praised God for his promise of eternal life. The fear of death could scare Perpetua and her fellow Christians, nevertheless they were joyful: “The day of victory dawned, and with joyful countenances they marched from the prison to the arena as though on their way to heaven” (334). Christians revealed that they did not place their life in the world, but in the hope of eternal life and the glory of …show more content…
The thought of eternal life governed the actions of many believers. In the City of God, Augustine wrote “for [Christians] rule not from a love of power, but from a sense of the duty they owe to others—not because they are proud of authority, but because they love mercy” (365). Christians did not live life to rule over others, but lived to serve others and show compassion. Unlike the Romans, who lived life to rule on earth with power and authority to better themselves. Christians challenged popular attitudes of authority because they did not want authority to come from an earthly perspective, but from the eternal perspective. Augustine described the men who love God as pursuing glory, strength, and wisdom from God because of the reward of the eternal. He described other men and institutions as pursuing glory, strength, and wisdom for the world and self. (363-364). Christians understood this difference between living life for self and living life for God. Once again, the religion of Christianity showed the hope of eternal life because they would rather please God than man.
Augustine’s City of God showed Christianity’s foundation in eternal life through the desire to please God and live by faith. This inspired the actions of Christians to live differently from society. Christians were motivated to focus on God, please and praise God, and live life inversely