The City of God – St. Augustine
1. Full Citation
Augustine of Hippo (c. 413–426) The City of God. Translated by Henry Bettenson (2003). London: Penguin Classics.
2. Introduction
The City of God is a monumental work of Christian apologetics, philosophy, and theology written by St. Augustine in response to the sack of Rome in AD 410. Addressing both pagans and Christians, Augustine contrasts the “City of Man” built on pride and earthly ambition with the “City of God” founded on grace and divine truth. The work offers a sweeping theological interpretation of history, politics, and eschatology. This review assesses its historical context, theological framework, and influence on Christian worldview, political thought, and ecclesiology.
3. Author Background and Credentials
St. Augustine (354–430) was Bishop of Hippo and a towering figure in Latin Christianity. After his conversion from Manichaeism and Neoplatonism, Augustine became a prolific theologian and philosopher. His works laid the foundation for Western Christian thought in areas such as original sin, divine grace, the nature of time, and just war theory. The City of God is regarded as one of his greatest achievements, written over a thirteen-year span as the Roman Empire faced decline.
4. Summary of Contents
The work consists of 22 books, divided into two main parts:
- Books I–X: Refute Roman paganism and its belief that Rome fell due to the abandonment of the traditional gods. Augustine critiques Roman religion, culture, and philosophy, especially Stoicism and Platonism, arguing that even Rome’s height was riddled with moral corruption.
- Books XI–XXII: Construct Augustine’s vision of sacred history and Christian eschatology. He traces the two cities—the earthly and the heavenly—through biblical history, culminating in the final judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and the eternal reign of God.
Key themes include providence, the fall of man, just war, grace, and the conflict between spiritual and temporal powers.
5. Critical Evaluation
a. Coherence and Argumentation
Augustine’s argument is expansive, rhetorically rich, and theologically unified. He moves seamlessly between critique and construction, classical sources and Christian revelation, philosophy and Scripture. Despite its length, the vision remains cohesive.
b. Originality and Intellectual Contribution
Augustine creates a Christian philosophy of history, fusing biblical theology with classical thought. His two-cities metaphor offers a dynamic framework for understanding politics, morality, and divine purpose. It influenced not only theology but also medieval political theory and Western civilisation.
c. Evidence, Sources, and Method
He extensively cites Scripture and classical authors like Cicero, Virgil, Varro, and Plato. His method is polemical, theological, and philosophical, weaving biblical exegesis into historical interpretation and metaphysical argument.
d. Style and Accessibility
The prose, though dense and formal, is deeply intellectual and rhetorical. While accessible in parts, the full work is most suitable for readers with some background in classical literature or theology. Modern translations help increase accessibility.
e. Limitations and Critiques
Critics sometimes find the division between the two cities overly dualistic. Others question Augustine’s pessimism about earthly institutions. His allegorical readings of Scripture and assumptions about history may not align with modern historical-critical approaches.
6. Comparative Context
The City of God stands with Plato’s Republic and Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica as one of the great works of political and moral philosophy. It counters Roman civil religion and Stoic cosmopolitanism with a Christian teleological view of history, paving the way for later works by Dante, Calvin, and modern political theologians.
7. Thematic or Disciplinary Relevance
This work is foundational for Christian theology, political theory, church history, eschatology, and cultural criticism. It shaped the just war tradition, dual citizenship theology, and medieval Christendom’s view of church and state.
8. Reflection or Practical Application
The City of God continues to inform discussions on Christian engagement with politics, culture, and society. Its long view of history encourages resilience and perspective in the face of cultural decline. Many leaders, scholars, and pastors draw on its vision to contrast eternal hope with worldly instability.
9. Conclusion
St. Augustine’s The City of God is an unparalleled theological and philosophical response to the collapse of a civilisation. It offers both critique and consolation, inviting readers to seek their true citizenship in God’s eternal city. Its grandeur, depth, and insight ensure its lasting relevance.
Recommended for: Scholars of theology, political philosophy, church history, and readers exploring how faith engages with the fall of nations and the hope of eternity.
10. Other Works by the Same Author
- Confessions – A spiritual autobiography blending theology and philosophy.
- On the Trinity – A profound exploration of God’s triune nature.
- On Christian Doctrine – A guide to interpreting Scripture and preaching.
- Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love – A compact summary of Christian belief.
11. Similar Books by Other Authors
- Thomas Aquinas – Summa Theologica
- Reinhold Niebuhr – The Nature and Destiny of Man
- Alasdair MacIntyre – After Virtue
- Richard John Neuhaus – The Naked Public Square
12. References (only if external works are cited)
- Plato (c. 375 BC) The Republic.
- Aquinas, T. (1265–1274) Summa Theologica.
- Niebuhr, R. (1941) The Nature and Destiny of Man. New York: Scribner.
- MacIntyre, A. (1981) After Virtue. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press.
Next up: Summa Theologica – Thomas Aquinas.