Written between AD 413 and 426, The City of God is one of the great cornerstones in the history of Christian thought, a book vital to understanding modern Western society. Augustine originally intended it to be an apology for Christianity against the accusation that the Church was responsible for the decline of the Roman Empire. Indeed, Augustine produced a great amount of evidence to prove that paganism was responsible for this event. However, by the time the work was finished, the book had taken on a larger theme: a cosmic interpretation of history in terms of the conflict between good (the City of God) and evil (the Earthly City). Augustine foresees that, through the will of God, the people of the City of God will eventually win immortality, while those of the Earthly City will suffer destruction.
- Introduction and Book 1
- Book 2
- Book 3
- Book 4
- Book 5
- Book 6
- Book 7
- Book 8
- Book 9
- Book 10
- Book 11
- Book 12
- Book 13
- Book 14
- Book 15
- Book 16
- Book 17
- Book 18
- Book 19
- Book 20
- Book 21
- Book 22
St. Augustine
St. Augustine, also known as Saint Augustine of Hippo, was a highly influential figure in the Christian world. Aurelius Augustinus was born in Numidia (now Algeria), the son of Patricius and Monica.
As the bishop of Hippo from 396 to 430, Augustine played a crucial role in shaping Christian thought. His ability to merge classical philosophy with Christian teachings resulted in a powerful theological system that left a lasting impact, though second to the Lord Himself, the one who had the greatest impact on the life of Augustine was his mother, Monica. In his autobiographical conversion account, Confessions, Augustine writes of one of his penultimate conversations with his mother:
Not long before the day in which she was to leave this life, You knew which day it was to be O, Lord. Though we did not. My mother and I were alone, leaning from a window which overlooked the garden in the courtyard of the house where we were staying at Ostia. We were waiting there after our long and tiring journey away from the crowd to refresh ourselves before our sea voyage. I believe that what I am going to tell happened through the secret working of your providence. For we were talking alone together, and our conversation was sweet, and serene, and joyful. We had forgotten what we had left behind and were intent on what laid before us. We were wondering what the eternal life of the saints would be like, that life which eye has not seen, nor ear has heard, nor human heart has conceived. But we laid the lips of our hearts to the heavenly stream that flows from Your fountain. The source of all life which is in You. So that as far as it was in our power to do so we might be sprinkled with its waters, and in some sense reach an understanding of this great mystery. Our conversation led us to the conclusion that no bodily pleasure, however great it might be, and whatever earthly light might shed luster upon it was worthy of our comparison, or even of mention, beside the happiness of the life of the saints.
Shortly after this garden walk and fellowship with her beloved son, Monica passed from this life into the eternal rest and joy of Heaven.
Augustine's written works, of which over five million words have survived, showcased the brilliance of his mind. His writings possessed a unique ability to captivate and engage readers both in his time and in ours. Two of his most significant works are Confessions (c. 400) and The City of God (c. 413–426).