Why did St. Augustus think the Anti-Christ was in each of us?

Question

He read the book of Revelations as not so much a prophecy but as a word about the spiritual struggle within each of us. He thought, and taught that the anti-christ was simply not being true to your own ideals, kind of a yin yang thing if you will. So if a seventh century saint in the Catholic Church thought this, with the blessings of the Church, why do so many people today think the anti-christ is some other worldly being coming to destroy mankind?

Answer 1

8-track. I love your questions and I should star them more often. I may not answer them all but I DO read them all. YOu're one heck of a deep thinker and a very senstive person, as well. That's because you DO the work of looking at yourself and actually TRY to make yourself a little bit better each day. YOU have the Spirit inside of you, BUT you ALSO have the anti-spirit in ou as well. That side of you that's lazy and seeks answers from OUTSIDE sources. YOU, however, strive to overcome those tendencys. On the other hand, there are lots of folks who either can't or WON'T recognize that we HAVE the anti-spirit in us and insist on letting others determine what, why and how we live and feel in our everyday lives. Augustine, recognized that in himself AND in others as well.

Too many folks read that Bible and simply take it at face value and never bother to actualy DIG into the meanings and relevances that apply to them. Many are frightened bywhat they read because it requires that they actually examine themselves and they're terrified to face the monsters that are hiding deep within their minds and spirits. REading the Bible and LIVING the Bible are two completely different things. Reading it leads one to simply follow what's right there in print before them. Living it requires them to contemplate and then figure out how to apply what they've thought about in their dailyu life. Make the changes in themselves that WILL make them a better person, WIL make them more tolerant, more loving, more helpful to their fellow humans. And THAT, involves hard work and HARD self-examination. They'd MUCH rather use the Bible as a "Cookbook" rather than as a list of ingredients from which THEY have to derive their OWN recipes for living.

BB,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

It is not just the teaching of St.Augustine that the Church distorted for its own convenience, but even the very teaching of Jesus itself.

Jesus was very much against the clergy. (Quotation can be given from the Bible). But surprisingly the church exists on what Jesus had opposed to!

There is an Anti Christ as well as a Christ in each of us. But it seems that the church is happy to develop the anti-Christs in its sheeps for the reasons that will benefit them.

Answer 4

Yeah, I saw that tonight on the History channel. If I can guess it's because back then, they had very little to go on. God increases knowledge as time goes on:
Daniel 12:4
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

And we benefit from that knowledge as the later generations become the holders of the truth. So I understand what St. Augustus was saying, I think, and I think that there is some truth to what he said as it was portrayed in that show. John had his own rendition of what a 'spirit of antichrist' is. By his definition it is a tendency of other spirits to promote a denial of Jesus as the Christ. So Anti Christ. But there is to be a person, who leads a government, who is called THE Antichrist who is a leader of the world. He is different only in that He is an actual, demon possessed man. He will also be antichrist in his attitude towards God.

Answer 5

I've actually known others who thought the same thing. i don't think St. Augustine was incorrect, just incomplete. There are so many ways to look at the Book of Revelation it's unreal, but the main theme of it is very clearly end-time prophecy. i've heard a lot of catholics say they don't believe in that kind of thing, but ask them what they say in the creed every sunday; ''and He will come again to judge both the living and the dead.''

Answer 6

Because everyone has the capacity for good and bad, most actions are right down the line. You may do something you believe is good, but ultimately you are just trying to appease something, even if it is absolution of the thing the christians call, your immortal soul.

Answer 7

common misconception amongst christians. it's the difference between what their expectations are of an anti-christ and what the bible says.

anti-christs is what it says. plural. every one assumes that " the anti-christ" and the beast are one. they are not. an anti-christ is anyone who opposes christianity. for example, i am an anti-christ, because i i think christianity is a sham. but at least i know what the bible says unlike most people who are so endeared to it.

Answer 8

Incorrect interpretation happens when people interpret the Bible on their own.

The misunderstanding and misinterpretation of Revelation is a classic and most obvious example.

Answer 9

Nope... Antichrist would be vanquished because Jesus Christ is God and above him. The Antichrist will be spiritually possessed by Satan, who is a mere "prince", called the "Prince of the Power of the Air" and the "Prince of Darkness". Jesus, however, is the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords". Do you now see how His title and authority are way above Satan and the Antichrist?

Answer 10

Haha. Urban myth. The antichrist is the church. lol