3. Why does Augustine "interrupt" his narrative to tell us about how Alypius became addicted to the violence of the gladiatorial contests.
Augustine's friend Alypius is a base and prime example of the process of any kind of addiction, and therefore any form of idolatry. Augustine is not sidetracking in the slightest telling the story of Alypius. In fact, rather than "interrupting" his broader narrative, he is making a great addition, further supporting what the image of a good Christian might look like. Alypius went to a gladiatorial fight unwillingly, yet he went but only after closing his eyes for the duration of the fight. This is a great demonstration of how even when we blind ourselves to temptation and are even perfectly aware of sin's evil nature, we are still vulnerable to being completely overtaken by worldly things. Before, Augustine has given his audience personal examples, but in this instance perhaps he cannot recall or cannot relate a life event to this particular idea. Calling on Alypius's story is another kind of experience, not personal, but still quite effective.
Augustine's friend Alypius is a base and prime example of the process of any kind of addiction, and therefore any form of idolatry. Augustine is not sidetracking in the slightest telling the story of Alypius. In fact, rather than "interrupting" his broader narrative, he is making a great addition, further supporting what the image of a good Christian might look like. Alypius went to a gladiatorial fight unwillingly, yet he went but only after closing his eyes for the duration of the fight. This is a great demonstration of how even when we blind ourselves to temptation and are even perfectly aware of sin's evil nature, we are still vulnerable to being completely overtaken by worldly things. Before, Augustine has given his audience personal examples, but in this instance perhaps he cannot recall or cannot relate a life event to this particular idea. Calling on Alypius's story is another kind of experience, not personal, but still quite effective.
Insightful response, Luke. You are exactly right in the way you link the addiction to idolatry--a wrong, "sinful" connection with created things. You also make the important point that Alypius's story demonstrates self-sufficiency is not enough to effect a conversion. Despite Alypius's determination to not participate in the games, once he is engaged in the action, it proves too compelling to withold his gaze. As with the pear theft incident, knowledge of the evil of an action does not necessarily mean that one will not participate in that action.
ReplyDeleteGreat pic of the colosseum by the way!!
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