Question

Why is so hard for Augustine to change his life? What finally cusses his return or conversion to Christianity? Is this reason satisfying to you?

Answer 1

The autobiographical account of Augustine's life is Confessions. In his story, Augustine recalls the sinful times he had growing up, several revelations, and the moment he finally gave in the Christianity. It was so hard for Augustine to change his life because he did not completely understand the religion. He struggled with the notion of who God is and how he existed. He only prayed to avoid punishment and did not fully understand what he was doing.

In the year 386, Augustine and his friend were spending time in Milan. They heard a voice of a child singing a song, the words of which were, "Pick it up and read it. Pick it up and read it." He thought at first that the song was related to some kind of children's game, but could not remember ever having heard such a song before. Then, realizing that this song might be a command from God to open and read the Scriptures, he located a Bible, picked it up, opened it and read the first passage he saw. It was from the Letter of Paul to the Romans. Augustine read: Not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual excess and lust, not in quarreling and jealousy. Rather, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh. Reading this scripture, he felt as if his heart were flooded with light. He turned totally from his life of sin.