Confessions - Book Xii - Chapter Xiii
St. Augustine explores the profound theological meaning behind the creation narrative, emphasizing the distinction between the intelligible heaven and the invisible, unformed earth as a way to understand God's eternal creative act beyond temporal constraints.
In this profound exposition, St. Augustine delves into the opening verses of Genesis to reveal the deeper spiritual realities behind the creation narrative. He distinguishes between the eternal, intelligible heaven and the temporal heavens and earth, offering a timeless perspective on God's creative work. This sermon invites listeners to contemplate the nature of divine knowledge and the eternal truths that underpin Scripture.
Text
16. Meanwhile this is what I understand, O my God, when I hear thy Scripture saying, \"In the beginning God made the heaven and the earth, but the earth was invisible and unformed, and darkness was over the abyss.\" It does not say on what day thou didst create these things. Thus, for the time being I understand that \"heaven of heavens\" to mean the intelligible heaven, where to understand is to know all at once--not \"in part,\" not \"darkly,\" not \"through a glass\"--but as a simultaneous whole, in full sight, \"face to face.\"[472] It is not this thing now and then another thing, but (as we said) knowledge all at once without any temporal change. And by the invisible and unformed earth, I understand that which suffers no temporal vicissitude. Temporal change customarily means having one thing now and another later; but where there is no form there can be no distinction between this or that. It is, then, by means of these two--one thing well formed in the beginning and another thing wholly unformed, the one heaven (that is, the heaven of heavens) and the other one earth (but the earth invisible and unformed)--it is by means of these two notions that I am able to understand why thy Scripture said, without mention of days, \"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.\" For it immediately indicated which earth it was speaking about. When, on the second day, the firmament is recorded as having been created and called heaven, this suggests to us which heaven it was that he was speaking about earlier, without specifying a day.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Understanding the phrase 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth'
- Distinguishing between the 'heaven of heavens' and the created firmament
- Explaining the 'invisible and unformed earth' as timeless and without change
-
II
- The nature of knowledge as simultaneous and complete in the intelligible heaven
- Temporal change contrasted with eternal, unchanging creation
- The significance of the absence of 'day' specification in the initial creation
-
III
- Relating the second day's creation of the firmament to the earlier heaven
- Interpreting Scripture with attention to theological and philosophical concepts
- Implications for understanding God's creative work beyond time
Key Quotes
“It is not this thing now and then another thing, but knowledge all at once without any temporal change.” — St. Augustine
“Temporal change customarily means having one thing now and another later; but where there is no form there can be no distinction between this or that.” — St. Augustine
“When, on the second day, the firmament is recorded as having been created and called heaven, this suggests to us which heaven it was that he was speaking about earlier.” — St. Augustine
Application Points
- Reflect on the eternal nature of God’s creation beyond physical time and change.
- Seek to understand Scripture not only literally but also spiritually and philosophically.
- Recognize the difference between temporal realities and eternal truths in your faith journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Augustine mean by the 'heaven of heavens'?
He refers to the intelligible heaven, a realm of complete and simultaneous knowledge beyond temporal change.
Why does the Scripture not specify the day of creation for heaven and earth?
Because the initial creation refers to eternal realities not subject to temporal days or change.
How does Augustine interpret the 'invisible and unformed earth'?
As a timeless, unchanging reality that precedes the temporal, formed earth described later.
What is the significance of understanding creation beyond temporal constraints?
It helps believers grasp God's eternal nature and the spiritual realities behind physical creation.