Session 6 introduces the strongest theological opponent in Augustine's life: Pelagius. 

They were contemporaries, born in the same year. Their similarities nearly end there. They have radically different views on sin, human nature, free will, and divine grace, amongst others. Pelagianism spread far, unlike Donatism, making it a more difficult challenge.

This session also tracks the final 20 years of Augustine's life, from 410 until his death in 430. 

The devotional question is: How free is my free will? (And to whom does the glory belong?)

When I was at the Windsor Bridge Protest in February, I saw a large message spray painted on a board which said, "Leaders Don't Hide". It was a timely message given the context.

It is vitally important that we have good leaders and it is the death-knell of a nation and church to have bad leaders. We talked today about characteristics of a leader and what makes a poor one. At the forefront of the discussion is the principle that Leaders Don't Hide. Rather, they take responsibility and do hard things that need to be done for the glory of God. 

Come back next week for an important follow-up discussion with a certain individual who doesn't run and hide. 

Session 5 on Augustine is a tale of two tapes. For the first time in his life, Augustine finds stability. He begins his bishopric in Hippo Regius and immediately becomes a beloved minister while growing in influence throughout Africa and the Empire. 

On the flip side, a major opponent is on the scene - the Donatists, and the schism that comes with them. Questions about how to deal with the traditores (traitors), how much purity we should expect in the Church, and the efficacy of the sacraments are central to the debate. For instance: what if I was baptized by a pastor who later apostatizes? Does that nullify my baptism? 

The devotional question is: Why is there so much sin in the Church? 

In episode 4 we explored one of my favourite topics: Beauty. The point is to recover a theology of beauty. 

Is 'beauty' a legitimate doctrine? What is art? What or who does it reflect? What makes something beautiful? What does sin have to do with all this? 

These are some of the questions looked at today. I hope and trust it will be an encouraging listen. 

"Because it is beautiful"

Augustine Session 4 gets into the time just after his conversion to Christianity; leaving his career, preparing to go back to Africa, and crisis moments that threatened to derail the new believer. He goes through some very hard, very human situations that cause tremendous grief, but held to his Saviour through it all. How did he do it? 

The devotional question is: What is my calling in crisis? How do I get through the toughest of times? 

After some introductory comments on how much editing I do and on prayer (somehow they get related), we start asking and answering a question which will be common on this show: What does Kingdom-Building look like? What does it mean to be a Kingdom-Builder? 

To start answering that question, we ought to consider the nature of "building", what it assumes, and how it starts. 

The news from Texas today caused me to go ahead with a question that relates to a large topic, and that is about masculinity and the problems that men are facing. 

Started with how sad it is that "30 is the new 18", then the news of another shooting. Picked up on a trend of shootings being primarily caused by young men and other statistics in that regard.

Then moved to a primary problem in the discussion: Men are dispossessed and how young men have been failed in our culture. 

In the interests of solution, the Kingdom of God is the perfect place for men. Real men. Manly men. Good men. 

Closed with some encouragement for women in how to help your man behave like a real man, and for men in how to right the ship. 

Session 3 of Augustine looks at a time of great darkness in his life, the large questions he had, and how the Lord worked to use it all to bring this man to repentance and faith. How beautiful it is when a wayward soul comes home. Tolle Lege. 

The devotional question centered around Augustine's formidible intellectual problem - resolving the problem of evil. His former philosophy, Manichaeism, seemed to provide an answer for it; how does Christianity reconcile a good Creator God with the existence of evil? 

Talked briefly about principles in effectively teaching a lesson/lecture, then moved to a story about Alypius and what we can take away from that.

Then got talking about how there are no shortcuts to growth and what that means. Includes Kobe references. 

Closed with discussing the value of habits and how powerful they are in shaping you. 

Augustine: An Historical, Theological & Devotional Analysis of the Great Western Church Father 

Session 2 looks at the next section of his life, from ages 16-30. We cover his time studying in Carthage, his struggle with lust, the birth of his son and taking of a mistress, and the nine years he spent as a Manichee, including what led to his fallout from that group. The young Augustine is on a quest for truth, and his journey is getting him closer to the God he will serve so faithfully. 

The devotional question is: Is Christianity a religion for mature, intelligent people? Is it a religion for "grown ups"? 

This class is part of the Adult Sunday School at Campbell Baptist Church, Windsor, ON.