Basil
of Caesarea (ca. 330-379) was a fourth-century scholar, bishop, and leader who,
along with several other prominent figures, shaped the life and thinking of the
church for many generations. His parents were genuine lovers of Jesus who
taught him the ways of Jesus, and who also funded a world-class education that
both shaped Basil and gave rise to his life-long nemesis.
Perhaps
the primary manifestation of brokenness in Basil’s life was his unbearable
arrogance. In the course of his studies it became apparent to all that he
possessed unusual skills in reason and rhetoric, and this fact was not lost on
Basil. Indeed, he was rather impressed with himself and unafraid to flaunt his skills
and exalt his grandeur. This kind of brokenness may seem relatively tame to us,
but let us remember that Satan himself fell because he turned his eyes from the
gracious Creator who had granted him such favor and toward himself as if he was
the source of his own beauty, power, and skill. Pride is deadly serious, and
Basil was bursting with it.
But God,
being rich in mercy and because of the great love with which he loved Basil,
was faithful to provide people and circumstances to humble him and render him
useable in the Kingdom. Above all, God used his believing sister, Macrina, to
confront and focus him. Consider this report from their brother, Gregory of
Nyssa. “[T]he great Basil, brother of [Macrina], returned from school where he
had been trained in rhetoric for a long time. She indeed detected that he was
enormously puffed up with pride over his rhetorical abilities; he despised all
the worthy people and exalted himself in self-importance above the illustrious
men of the province. Yet she drew him with such speed to the goal of philosophy
that he renounced worldly renown. He expressed contempt at being an object of
marvel on account of his rhetoric. He deserted to this laborious life of manual
labor to prepare himself by complete poverty and unfettered life directed
toward virtue” (Life of St. Macrina).
Being
thus humbled, God then also used circumstances to shape Basil’s life. First,
God allowed him to teach at the University of Caesarea where he became
disillusioned with the academic world and gripped by a vision of total devotion
to Jesus. Second, God allowed Basil to enjoy several years of relative seclusion
where he could come to know the Jesus he thought he knew. Third, during a
severe famine, God called Basil up to lead, speak, and write, and he was so
successful in guiding the church in those days that they appointed him Bishop
of Caesarea, a very prominent position.
Having
thus risen to prominence, Basil used his position to advance an approach to
biblical interpretation that shaped biblical orthodoxy and helped guide the
church for centuries, even down to our own day. And therefore, the story of
Basil’s life is that God granted him unusual skills, Basil puffed up with
pride, God graciously humbled his pride, and God powerfully used him to shape
and protect his precious Bride, the church. Basil of Caesarea is a broken hero
for whom we should give thanks and praise to God.
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