*Psalm 51:10* _"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."_
THE AFRICAN WHO SHAPED THE WEST — AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO
He wrote a book that shaped western civilization for 1 000 years. Arguably, he is the most influential theologian after Apostle Paul because of his theological contribution to the universal church. He was an African.
Augustine of Hippo was born in AD 354 in Thagaste, in present-day Algeria, North Africa. His mother, Monica, was a praying African mother who never stopped crying for her son. And Augustine gave her plenty to cry about.
He was brilliant, but wild. He left home, lived with a woman without marrying her, had a son out of wedlock, and joined a false cult. He chased everything except God.
His famous prayer from those years tells you everything about him: "Lord, make me pure but not yet." He wanted God, but he wanted his sin too but Monica kept praying.
One day, Augustine heard a child's voice saying, _"Take up and read, take up and read."_ He picked up the Bible, opened to Romans 13:13-14, and his life broke open. God saved him. And what God did with that saved sinner changed the world.
Augustine went back to Africa and became Bishop of Hippo. He wrote _Confessions_ — the first Christian autobiography ever written. He wrote _City of God_ — a book so powerful it shaped Western civilization for 1,000 years.
Augustine elucidated on key doctrines like grace, original sin and other key doctrines of the Christian faith. These is what God did through an African. Western Christianity is built on African theology. It is safe to say Europe was evangelized by African thought.
If God used Africans in the past for His glory, He can use Africans today. Our history should not be about inter tribal wars, famines, corruption or colonialism. There is more to us than the negatives the media is projecting.
Acts 10:34 says, *"Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. [35] In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right*".
God is not a racist. He does not love some more and love us less. As long as our hearts are committed to Him, He will use us for His glory. This is the life I desire. What about you?
Father, you used Augustine, an African whose influence cut across continents, I yield myself to you. Use me Lord.