Augustine insists that all Christians affirm three central beliefs about the resurrection.  First, Christ himself has been raised from the dead and is alive in heaven.  Second, there will be a future resurrection of humanity.  And third, the human body itself is immortal.  Interestingly, the verse from which each of these fall out is, for Augustine, Romans 8:29. 

It is fitting that Christians should love the springtime of the soul, the bodily resurrection that will come in God’s time.  But how much do we really know about the resurrection?  Children often ask, “Will I know my mommy and daddy in heaven?”  Wives want to know what kind of relationship, if any, they will enjoy with their husbands (Matthew 22:23-33).  Some have concerns about cremation, while others are distressed over the bodily loss of a loved one due to some tragedy.  These, as well as other questions can be vexing but they need not be.  The resurrection is the great hope of the Christian not the great fear.  Let me introduce you to someone who might be of help.

Meet St. Augustine

We might describe Augustine as an untamed and rebellious fourth century youth.  However, his redeeming quality, which also led to great temptation prior to his conversion, was his intellectual ability.  Augustine had a keen mind and his pilgrimage of thought is sketched out in his autobiography, Confessions, but so are his many temptations leading up to his conversion.  Consequently, upon his conversion God added a mighty intellect to the Church.

So, how might Augustine provide answers to those resurrection “mind-benders?”  Well, let’s start with the barbarian invasion of Rome in 410 AD.  Rome had been the mistress of the world for many long years.  Some thought the Eternal City would stand forever!  However, when she fell those who followed the pagan gods, and it seems they were not a few, looked around for a scapegoat upon which to lay the guilt for this catastrophe. For some Christianity was the likely choice. So, in 413 AD Augustine took up his pen to prove the absurdity of such a charge.  The twenty-two books of The City of God were written slowly and appeared in parts over a thirteen-year period.  The last two books concern the resurrection of the wicked and the righteous.

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