Free «Time in Ancient and Medieval Times: Classics, Clocks, and Calendars» Essay Paper
Saint Augustine is a renowned Roman Catholic doctrine teacher who lived in the medieval times. In this chapter, Augustine reflects the amazing work done by God and how His love for mankind is exhibited through the gift of life and provision of all the things people require for their livelihoods. Saint Augustine refers to God as the highest being. It is argued that God is always aware of everything even before people seek it from Him. His love is great and requires people to not only seek whatever is good for their well-being only, but for others too. God teaches people to be there for each other. It is evident that people can hardly do anything for themselves without the mercy of God. According to Augustine, all earthly things are useless if one does not seek God’s kingdom and righteousness. The manner in which both the heaven and earth were created is amazing. No one has a clear idea of how the process was accomplished. The article points that people like Moses wrote about it, but could not express how God created the universe in a precise way that could be easily understood. Augustine questions the machines used to create the universe, but it is also clear that God only spoke and everything came into being.
The word of God is eternal and people are called upon to understand it. The manner in which the universe is beautifully created shows that God is also beautiful and well-organized. He is evidently perfect. Augustine beliefs that people should not continue questioning what God was doing before he created the universe. Having made the time himself, it is clear that there is no time when God has not made something. God is permanent while time is not since if time had been permanent, then nothing would have passed away and we would not have past times. He has given us the power to recognize time intervals. There is only the present time since both the past and future times are not in existence. It would be good if God granted humans the power to understand some of the universal truths regarding the earth. The assertion by some individuals that time may be measured by the movement of some physical objects such as sun and moon does not hold on since it is difficult for moving bodies to constitute time. God is the creator of all things and is therefore the only one who can make His people understand the universe better. Moreover, according to Augustine, it is apparent that people living in both the ancient and medieval times were God fearing and at the same time critical on how the universe had been made. Just like in the current society, ancient people knew that there was a supernatural being behind the creation of earth since everything appeared to be well-organized. The questions, which were difficult to answer, were often deemed to be a part of God’s plan, which people were not supposed to agonize about. This is clear on the aspect of time, which was controversial at the time, and St. Augustine argues it was a thing in the realm of God to know and not men. The fact that he asks for God’s mercy to be of help to other people means that he was aware that individual success would be useless if someone did not see the need to help others.
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The arguments in the article show that both ancient and medieval people tried to establish the manner in which God created the universe. This also reflects the concerns of the current mankind where people still wonder where God assembled the materials used in the creation of the universe. Although people read the scriptural work of Moses, they could still not understand how life began. Augustine points clearly in the article that he prays to God to give him the power to understand more about the beginning. It implies that people were quite reasonable in the ancient and medieval times since they were able to comprehend the writings made by prior individuals. However, it is clear that Augustine did not want to accept the fact that the most important thing was to simply adhere to the teachings provided and stop questioning how creation was made.
In addition, Augustine’s arguments show that people read the Bible and understood that interpreting it wrongly would have misled them. Having been written in parables, it shows that different people understood the Bible differently. It is said that God created the universe by simply commanding things to happen. Some of Augustine’s claims seem to be a bit devastating. For instance, asking the machine used by God in his works is baseless. The Bible is clear that God only said whatever he wanted and it happened. Therefore, even if the Bible suggested that there were exact tools used by Jesus, it would still be of no help since all that was necessary is for people to interact freely and focus on the best ways to uplift their lives rather than seek to know things that would be of no help. The Bible clarifies that no one should question the rationale behind the world’s creation, but Augustine is adamant to not just appreciate whatever is presented in the holy teachings, yet seeks further explanations that meet his own explanations. It shows that some of the people living during his time did not believe the teachings provided in the Bible.
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Some ancient people did not take the work of God seriously as exhibited by the jokes made in the article. Augustine corrects one of the individuals’ assertions that God was busy preparing the hell before he went on to create the heaven and earth. He shows that there are groups who respected the teachings provided regarding the certain of the universe while others did not mind. One similarity between the people living in Medieval and current times is that both are astonished by the images evident in the universe and the way in which it was established. However, the claim that there is no specific time when God had not created anything seems to be logical. This is because it is God who created everything and this shows that he is also the one who made time. According to the ancient people’s understanding, the world should have started at a certain time. As a result, it is God who existed before the creation of the universe began. As argued by the Bible, people should understand God’s word. It is argued that His word existed even when the universe was not there. Augustine further argues that there is nothing like past and future times since whatever people are aware of is the current time. This claim is illogical and shows some sorts contradiction. There is always past and future times since the justifications we have in mind that the world was created shows that the real event happened at a time in the past when it is only God alone who was in existence. Present time only refers to the current time an individual in doing something or thinking about. However, anything that had happened previously can only be said to have occurred in a past time.
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The article states clearly that God has given people the ability to distinguish between various time intervals. Therefore, claiming that there is only the present time is a bit contradicting since time intervals cannot occur concurrently. Augustine talks about making investigation to ascertain whether past and future times exist. It may imply that people living in the medieval period, which was between the 5th and 15th century, spent much of their time trying to know why certain things in the universe exhibited their current state. Although people should prepare themselves adequately for their future times, they should not let their souls get preoccupied by such anticipations to an extent that they cannot do anything constructive in the current lives. Much of Augustine’s arguments show how ancient people kept on seeking to understand the universe further. It should be understood that if God would not have wanted His creations to understand how He had made everything happen since people would try to imitate Him and make the universe unbearable. What earlier people should have been contented with was the gift of life and ability to comprehend His teachings as presented by the people He had inspired. God only wishes the best for His people who should in return learn how to live in harmony and help each other to overcome challenges. The manner in which people sought to known the rationale behind God’s creation of the universe and the events that took place before the creation seem to have been irritating based on Augustine’s claim that God needs to fill the minds of those people with the ability to realize that nothing would have happened before the universe came into being.
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Augustine’s assertions represent the thoughts that the pious living in his time had in their minds. The church at the time was clearly against any scientific ventures, even the attempt to explain time using calendars and clocks. It is apparent that Augustine discourages human innovations that would seem to contravene God’s perfect creation. On the contrary, he is more inclined to point out the weaknesses of human beings and the need for Gods redemption and mercy.
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"Kama ""Mwanzoni mwa Enzi za Kale na za Kati"" (Classics, Clocks, and Calendars) Augustine alikuwa Mkatoliki wa Roma aliyehudumu katika karne ya kwanza." Katika sura hii, Augustine anaonyesha kazi ya ajabu iliyofanywa na Mungu na jinsi upendo wake kwa wanadamu unavyoonyeshwa kupitia zawadi ya maisha na utoaji wa vitu vyote ambavyo watu wanahitaji kwa ajili ya maisha yao. Mtakatifu Augustine anataja Mungu kuwa kiumbe cha juu zaidi. Inasemekana kwamba Mungu anajua kila kitu hata kabla watu hawajaomba. Upendo wake ni mkubwa na unahitaji watu kutafuta tu kile kilicho bora kwa ajili ya ustawi wao tu, lakini pia kwa ajili ya wengine. Mungu anawafundisha watu kuwapo kwa ajili ya kila mmoja. Ni wazi kwamba watu hawawezi kufanya chochote kwa ajili yao wenyewe bila rehema ya Mungu. Kulingana na Augustine, vitu vyote vya duniani havina faida ikiwa mtu hataki ufalme wa Mungu na haki. Njia ambayo mbingu na dunia ziliumbwa ni ya ajabu. Hakuna mtu aliye na wazo la wazi la jinsi utaratibu huo ulivyotimizwa. "Mwanzo wa makala hiyo unasema kwamba ""watu kama Musa waliandika juu ya ulimwengu, lakini hawakuweza kueleza jinsi Mungu alivyoumba ulimwengu kwa njia sahihi ambayo ingeweza kueleweka kwa urahisi.""" Augustine anauliza mashine zilizotumiwa kuunda ulimwengu, lakini pia ni wazi kwamba Mungu alizungumza tu na kila kitu kilikuja kuwa. Neno la Mungu ni la milele na watu wanaitwa kulielewa. Jinsi ulimwengu ulivyoundwa kwa uzuri inaonyesha kwamba Mungu pia ni mzuri na mwenye utaratibu. Ni wazi kwamba yeye ni mkamilifu. Augustine anaamini kwamba watu hawapaswi kuendelea kuhoji kile ambacho Mungu alikuwa akifanya kabla ya kuumba ulimwengu. Kwa kuwa Mungu mwenyewe ndiye aliyeumba wakati, ni wazi kwamba hakuna wakati ambapo Mungu hajafanya kitu. Mungu ni wa kudumu, wakati wakati si, kwa kuwa kama wakati ulikuwa wa kudumu, basi hakuna kitu kingeisha na hatungekuwa na nyakati zilizopita. Ametupa uwezo wa kutambua vipindi vya wakati. Kuna wakati wa sasa tu kwa kuwa wakati uliopita na wakati ujao haupo. Ni vizuri Mungu awape wanadamu uwezo wa kuelewa baadhi ya kweli za ulimwengu kuhusu dunia. """Madai ya watu fulani kwamba wakati unaweza kupimwa kwa mwendo wa vitu fulani kama jua na mwezi, hayana msingi, kwa kuwa ni vigumu kwa vitu vinavyohama kuunda wakati." Mungu ndiye Muumba wa vitu vyote na kwa hiyo ndiye pekee anayeweza kuwafanya watu wake waelewe ulimwengu vizuri zaidi. Kwa kuongezea, kulingana na Augustine, ni wazi kwamba watu walioishi katika nyakati za kale na za kati walikuwa wakimwogopa Mungu na wakati huohuo wakishutumu jinsi ulimwengu ulivyoundwa. Kama ilivyo katika jamii ya sasa, watu wa kale walijua kwamba kulikuwa na kiumbe wa juu zaidi wa asili nyuma ya uumbaji wa dunia, kwa kuwa kila kitu kilionekana kuwa kimepangwa vizuri. Maswali hayo, ambayo yalikuwa magumu kujibu, mara nyingi yalionwa kuwa sehemu ya mpango wa Mungu, ambao watu hawangeweza kuugua. "Hii ni wazi katika suala la wakati, ambalo lilikuwa na utata wakati huo, na Mtakatifu Augustine anasema ilikuwa jambo katika ulimwengu wa Mungu kujua na si watu. """ Kwa kuwa aliomba rehema ya Mungu ili awe na uwezo wa kuwasaidia watu wengine, alijua kwamba mafanikio ya mtu binafsi yangekuwa ya bure ikiwa mtu hangeona uhitaji wa kuwasaidia wengine. Ofa ya Muda Mzunguko! "Kutoka kwa ""Mungu"" na ""Mungu"" ni maneno ya Mungu, ambayo ni maneno ya watu wa kale na wa enzi za kati ambao walijaribu kueleza jinsi Mungu alivyoumba ulimwengu." Hii pia inaonyesha wasiwasi wa wanadamu wa sasa ambapo watu bado wanajiuliza ni wapi Mungu alikusanya vifaa vilivyotumiwa katika uumbaji wa ulimwengu. Ingawa watu waliisoma kitabu cha Musa, bado hawakuweza kuelewa jinsi uhai ulivyoanza. Augustine anasema kwamba anaomba Mungu ampe nguvu ya kuelewa zaidi juu ya mwanzo. "Hii inamaanisha kwamba watu walikuwa na akili nzuri katika nyakati za kale na za kati kwa kuwa waliweza kuelewa maandishi yaliyoandikwa na watu wa zamani.""" Hata hivyo, ni wazi kwamba Augustine hakutaka kukubali ukweli kwamba jambo la muhimu zaidi lilikuwa tu kushikamana na mafundisho yaliyotolewa na kuacha kuhoji jinsi uumbaji ulivyofanywa. Kwa kuongezea, hoja za Augustine zinaonyesha kwamba watu walisoma Biblia na kuelewa kwamba kuifafanua kimakosa kungewapotosha. Kwa kuwa imeandikwa katika mifano, inaonyesha kwamba watu tofauti-tofauti walielewa Biblia kwa njia tofauti. Inasemekana kwamba Mungu aliumba ulimwengu kwa kuamuru tu mambo yatukie. Baadhi ya madai ya Augustine yaonekana kuwa yenye kuangamiza kidogo. Kwa mfano, kuuliza mashine inayotumiwa na Mungu katika kazi zake haina msingi. Biblia inaonyesha wazi kwamba Mungu alisema tu kile alichotaka na kilitukia. Kwa hiyo, hata kama Biblia ingedokeza kwamba kulikuwa na vifaa hususa vilivyotumiwa na Yesu, bado haingekuwa na msaada wowote, kwa kuwa yote yaliyohitajika ni kwa watu kuingiliana kwa uhuru na kuzingatia njia bora za kuinua maisha yao badala ya kutafuta kujua mambo ambayo hayangesaidia. Biblia inaeleza wazi kwamba hakuna mtu anayepaswa kutilia shaka sababu za kuumbwa kwa ulimwengu, lakini Augustine anasisitiza kwamba haithamini tu kile kilichoonyeshwa katika mafundisho matakatifu, lakini anatafuta maelezo zaidi yanayolingana na maelezo yake mwenyewe. Inaonyesha kwamba baadhi ya watu walioishi wakati wake hawakuamini mafundisho ya Biblia. Tunatoa msaada wa 24 7 na una maswali yoyote? Watu wa kale hawakuchukua kazi ya Mungu kwa uzito kama inavyoonyeshwa na vituko vilivyofanywa katika makala hiyo. Augustine anasafisha mojawapo ya madai ya watu kwamba Mungu alikuwa na shughuli nyingi za kutayarisha kuzimu kabla ya kuendelea kuumba mbingu na dunia. "Yeye anaonyesha kwamba kuna vikundi ambavyo viliheshimu mafundisho yaliyotolewa kuhusu ""maana ya ulimwengu"" wakati wengine hawakuona ubaya." "Kama ilivyo kwa watu wa enzi za kati na wa leo, watu wote wawili wanashangazwa na ""mifano"" inayoonekana katika ulimwengu na jinsi ulivyoanzishwa." Hata hivyo, madai ya kwamba hakuna wakati hususa ambapo Mungu hakuwa ameumba chochote yanaonekana kuwa yenye kupatana na akili. Hii ni kwa sababu Mungu ndiye aliyeumba kila kitu na hii inaonyesha kwamba yeye pia ndiye aliyeumba wakati. Kulingana na uelewa wa watu wa kale, ulimwengu unapaswa kuwa ulianza wakati fulani. Kwa hiyo, ni Mungu ambaye alikuwepo kabla ya kuumbwa kwa ulimwengu. Kama inavyotajwa katika Biblia, watu wanapaswa kuelewa neno la Mungu. Inasemekana kwamba neno lake lilikuwako hata wakati ulimwengu haukuwapo. Augustine pia anasema kwamba hakuna kitu kama wakati uliopita na wakati ujao tangu chochote watu wanajua ni wakati wa sasa. Madai hayo hayana maana na yanaonyesha aina fulani za kinyume. Wakati wote kuna wakati uliopita na wakati ujao, kwa kuwa uthibitisho tunao katika akili kwamba ulimwengu uliumbwa unaonyesha kwamba tukio halisi lilitokea wakati fulani katika wakati uliopita wakati Mungu peke yake alikuwapo. Wakati wa sasa inahusu tu wakati wa sasa mtu kufanya kitu au kufikiri kuhusu. Hata hivyo, jambo lolote lililokuwa limetukia hapo awali laweza tu kusemwa kuwa lilitukia wakati uliopita. "Kwa mfano, ""Kupunguza kwa 25%"" ni ""kuokoa 10% ya ziada"" kwa sababu tunatoa maneno 300 kwa ukurasa badala ya maneno 275 kwa ukurasa." Kwa hiyo, kudai kwamba kuna wakati wa sasa tu ni kinyume kidogo kwa kuwa vipindi vya wakati haviwezi kutokea kwa wakati mmoja. Augustine anasema kwamba ni muhimu sana kuchunguza wakati uliopita na wakati ujao. "Hii inaweza kumaanisha kwamba watu walioishi katika kipindi cha enzi za kati, ambayo ilikuwa kati ya karne ya 5 na ya 15, walitumia muda wao mwingi kujaribu kujua kwa nini vitu fulani katika ulimwengu vilionyesha hali yao ya sasa. """ Ingawa watu wanapaswa kujitayarisha kwa wakati wao ujao, hawapaswi kuruhusu roho zao kuzingatiwa na matarajio kama hayo hadi kiwango ambacho hawawezi kufanya chochote kizuri katika maisha ya sasa. Maelezo mengi ya Augustine yanaonyesha jinsi watu wa kale walivyoendelea kutafuta kuelewa ulimwengu zaidi. Ni lazima ieleweke kwamba kama Mungu hakutaka viumbe vyake kuelewa jinsi alivyofanya kila kitu kutokea, watu wangejaribu kumiga na kufanya ulimwengu usioweza kuvumilika. Watu wa zamani walipaswa kuridhika na zawadi ya uhai na uwezo wa kuelewa mafundisho yake kama yalivyotolewa na watu aliowaongoza. Mungu anataka tu mema kwa watu wake ambao kwa kubadilishana wanapaswa kujifunza jinsi ya kuishi kwa upatano na kusaidiana kushinda changamoto. "Kwa sababu ya jinsi watu walivyojaribu kujua sababu za Mungu kuumba ulimwengu na matukio yaliyotokea kabla ya uumbaji, inaonekana kuwa ilikuwa ya kukasirisha kulingana na madai ya Augustine kwamba Mungu anahitaji kujaza akili za watu hao na uwezo wa kutambua kwamba hakuna kitu ambacho kingeweza kutokea kabla ya ulimwengu kuanzishwa.""" "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika makala ya ""Uhakiki wa Uandishi wa Habari"" ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha ya Picha." Kanisa la wakati huo lilikuwa wazi dhidi ya juhudi zozote za kisayansi, hata jaribio la kueleza wakati kwa kutumia kalenda na saa. Ni wazi kwamba Augustine hupinga uvumbuzi wa kibinadamu ambao ungeonekana kupingana na uumbaji mkamilifu wa Mungu. Badala yake, yeye huelekea zaidi kuonyesha udhaifu wa wanadamu na uhitaji wa ukombozi na rehema ya Mungu. Je, unahitaji karatasi zilizoandikwa na mtaalamu? Weka agizo lako kwenye tovuti yetu ili kupata msaada kutoka kwa wataalamu wenye sifa!