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Broken Heroes: Brokenness and Grace in the Life of Basil of Caesarea by Pastor Charlie Handren

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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