God's Will and Ours

I was preparing lectures for the course I am teaching at DC this term (History of Christianity I) a couple of days ago and was really challenged by some of the things I was seeing. The primary text we are using is Justo González's The Story of Christianity (Volume 1 this term and Volume 2 next term). We are also using the updated edition of Bettenson's reader of historical documents. González has done an excellent job of telling the fascinating story that is the history of Christianity in a way that is accessible to the non-specialists, but still rooted in the excellent historical knowledge that he has gained throughout a productive and respected career.

One of the key elements that I noticed as I was reviewing the material for the Nicene (and soon following) era, was the reluctance that many of the most respected leaders in the Church of the time had. Most of the leaders were more interested in pursuing their own philosophical, theological, mystical, and monastic ventures than in rising to ecclesiastical heights. Many of them were appointed as bishops against their will. Ambrose of Milan, who was the governor of the city at the time, tried every political maneuver he could imagine and then attempted to run away from the city a few times, before finally relenting and having an impactful ministry of his own, as well as leading Augustine of Hippo, the most important Western theologian (at least until Thomas Aquinas and/or Martin Luther both of whom were greatly influenced by him), to his spiritual conversion. Basil of Caeserea, Athanasius, and even Augustine each fought against their advancement in church leadership. Gregory of Nazianzus avoided leadership for multiple reasons, including his own sense of insufficiency, pointing out that while it is difficult to obey, it is even more difficult to lead (the direct quote is my new computer background - a reminder to this leader).

It struck me that if these men (Cappadocian Mother Macrina didn't seem to have the same reluctance for some reason...) had in the end allowed their own will to supersede that of God, the course of Christian history would be vastly different. Would we have had a strong-willed Bishop Athanasius who was more interested in seeking after God in the desert than pleasing the political powers who, because of this, was able to boldly stand in the face of Caesar and challenge him? If Ambrose had run one more time from ordination, would we have the spiritual classics that have influenced people for centuries: The City of God and The Confessions later written by the young rhetorician he baptized in the pool below?

Since it is easier to learn things from hindsight, perhaps we can look to these examples for our own lives and our own pursuit of our role in life...not that we are all called to be bishops against our will, though.