What we think
of as a modern issue is really an ancient problem. As Augustine writes in The
City of God,
“30.
That those who complain of Christianity really desire to live without
restraint in shameful luxury
If
the famous Scipio Nasica were now alive, who was once your pontiff, and was unanimously
chosen by the senate, when, in the panic created by the Punic war, they sought
for the best citizen to entertain the Phrygian goddess, he would curb this
shamelessness of yours, though you would perhaps scarcely dare to look upon the
countenance of such a man.
For
why in your calamities do you complain of Christianity, unless because you
desire to enjoy your luxurious license unrestrained, and to lead an abandoned
and profligate life without the interruption of any uneasiness or disaster? For
certainly your desire for peace, and prosperity, and plenty is not prompted by
any purpose of using these blessings honestly, that is to say, with moderation,
sobriety, temperance, and piety; for your purpose rather is to run riot in an
endless variety of sottish pleasures, and thus to generate from your prosperity
a moral pestilence which will prove a thousandfold more disastrous than the
fiercest enemies.
It
was such a calamity as this that Scipio, your chief pontiff, your best man in
the judgment of the whole senate, feared when he refused to agree to the
destruction of Carthage, Rome's rival; and opposed Cato, who advised its
destruction. He feared security, that enemy of weak minds, and he perceived
that a wholesome fear would be a fit guardian for the citizens.
And
he was not mistaken; the event proved how wisely he had spoken. For when
Carthage was destroyed, and the Roman republic delivered from its great cause
of anxiety, a crowd of disastrous evils forthwith resulted from the prosperous
condition of things. First concord was weakened, and destroyed by fierce and
bloody seditions; then followed, by a concatenation of baleful causes, civil
wars, which brought in their train such massacres, such bloodshed, such lawless
and cruel proscription and plunder, that those Romans who, in the days of their
virtue, had expected injury only at the hands of their enemies, now that their
virtue was lost, suffered greater cruelties at the hands of their fellow
citizens. The lust of rule, which with other vices existed among the Romans in
more unmitigated intensity than among any other people, after it had taken
possession of the more powerful few, subdued under its yoke the rest, worn and
wearied.
31.
By what steps the passion for governing increased among the Romans
For
at what stage would that passion rest when once it has lodged in a proud
spirit, until by a succession of advances it has reached even the throne. And
to obtain such advances nothing avails but unscrupulous ambition. But
unscrupulous ambition has nothing to work upon, save in a nation corrupted by
avarice and luxury. Moreover, a people becomes avaricious and luxurious by
prosperity; and it was this which that very prudent man Nasica was endeavoring
to avoid when he opposed the destruction of the greatest, strongest, wealthiest
city of Rome's enemy.
He
thought that thus fear would act as a curb on lust, and that lust being curbed
would not run riot in luxury, and that luxury being prevented avarice would be
at an end; and that these vices being banished, virtue would flourish and
increase the great profit of the state; and liberty, the fit companion of virtue,
would abide unfettered.
For
similar reasons, and animated by the same considerate patriotism, that same
chief pontiff of yours—l still refer to him who was adjudged Rome's best man
without one dissentient voice—threw cold water on the proposal of the senate to
build a circle of seats round the theatre, and in a very weighty speech warned
them against allowing the luxurious manners of Greece to sap the Roman
manliness, and persuaded them not to yield to the enervating and emasculating
influence of foreign licentiousness. So authoritative and forcible were his
words, that the senate was moved to prohibit the use even of those benches
which hitherto had been customarily brought to the theatre for the temporary
use of the citizens.
How
eagerly would such a man as this have banished from Rome the scenic exhibitions
themselves, had he dared to oppose the authority of those whom he supposed to
be gods! For he did not know that they were malicious devils; or if he did, he
supposed they should rather be propitiated than despised. For there had not yet
been revealed to the Gentiles the heavenly doctrine which should purify their
hearts by faith, and transform their natural disposition by humble godliness,
and turn them from the service of proud devils to seek the things that are in
heaven, or even above the heavens.[1]
Strong men
create good times, good times create weak men, weak men create bad times, bad
times create strong men. We all know the saying. But this is not a modern phenomenon
at all. It has been observed all throughout history because it is a perennial
human problem.
Note especially
this passage,
“He
thought that thus fear would act as a curb on lust, and that lust being curbed
would not run riot in luxury, and that luxury being prevented avarice would be
at an end; and that these vices being banished, virtue would flourish and
increase the great profit of the state; and liberty, the fit companion of
virtue, would abide unfettered.”
Humanity is designed
to flourish in good boundaries. When we are exposed to too much prosperity,
ease and luxury we get slack, we get fat, dumb and happy and begin to decline
morally. Augustine and Scipio both knew that some level of opposition and an
external threat would help the Roman’s keep the wits about themselves.
As Christians
we have opposition there always, if we don’t forget it. The enemy stalks
like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. This is why the Bible tells
us to be ever watchful and ever on our guard. The problem is we become
enamoured with our prosperous ease and forget the real danger our souls are in.
Make sure
that you keep yourself in a forge of continual growth. Continually challenge
yourself physically, intellectually and in other ways. Make sure you keep your
spiritual wits about you. For just because our world looks peaceful does not
mean it is. There are enemies within and enemies without, and the enemies
within, or the spiritual ones near, are often the most dangerous enemies.
[1]
Augustine, City of God, Hendriksen Publishers p32-33.
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