Augustine and the city of God

Table of Contents

Introduction

Augustine’s life in the historical context

De Civitate Dei

Civitas dei

Foundation of the city of God and the city of Man

Humans/Saints and Angels

Humans on earth

City of God and Church

Civitas terrena

The intertwined cities

Concept of dualism

Stateism in Augustine’s thinking

Conclusion

Research Objectives and Themes

The essay explores the cognitive reasoning behind Augustine's composition of De civitate Dei, examining the historical, sociological, and philosophical influences that shaped his concept of the two cities and his theological view of history.

• Historical and sociological context of Augustine’s life
• Development of the "City of God" and "City of Man" concepts
• The role of the church and human pilgrimage on Earth
• Analysis of dualism and Neoplatonic influences
• Augustine's perspective on statehood and politics

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Introduction: This section outlines the essay's goal to explore the origins of Augustine's De civitate Dei and the historical background that motivated its creation.

Augustine’s life in the historical context: This chapter details Augustine's biography, his conversion to Christianity, and the impact of the fall of Rome on his intellectual development.

De Civitate Dei: This chapter examines the structure, themes, and specific objectives Augustine pursued in writing his 22-book work in response to Pagan allegations.

Civitas dei: This section defines the city of God as a transcendent society unified by love, contrasting it with the material world.

Foundation of the city of God and the city of Man: This chapter traces the conceptual origin of the two cities back to the creation of man and God’s prescience.

Humans/Saints and Angels: This section explores the hierarchy and composition of the cities, focusing on the relationship between angels and humans.

Humans on earth: This chapter discusses the earthly pilgrimage of believers who use the material world as an instrument for spiritual salvation.

City of God and Church: This section distinguishes between the transcendent city of God and the institutional Church on earth.

Civitas terrena: This chapter analyzes the City of Man as a finite, empirical entity originating from the fall of man.

The intertwined cities: This chapter examines how the two cities coexist and cooperate on earth despite their antagonistic natures.

Concept of dualism: This section evaluates the influence of Manichaeism and Neoplatonism on Augustine’s dualistic framework.

Stateism in Augustine’s thinking: This chapter addresses Augustine’s views on politics and the justification of the state.

Conclusion: The final section summarizes Augustine’s lasting impact on the theology of history and Western thought.

Keywords

Augustine, De civitate Dei, Civitas Dei, Civitas terrena, Christian history, Dualism, Manichaeism, Neoplatonism, Church, Pilgrimage, Fall of Rome, Theology, Stateism, Political philosophy, Faith.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core subject of this paper?

The paper examines the cognitive and historical motivations behind Augustine's writing of "De civitate Dei" and explores his central dualistic concepts.

What are the primary thematic fields covered?

The study covers the historical context of Rome's fall, the distinction between the city of God and the city of Man, and the philosophical roots of Augustine's thought.

What is the ultimate research objective?

The objective is to understand how Augustine developed his theory of two cities and how he justified the Christian worldview amidst a changing society.

Which scientific methodology is employed?

The essay uses a historical and interpretive analysis of Augustine's original texts, secondary theological literature, and sociological background research.

What content is addressed in the main body?

The main body treats the biographical context of Augustine, his definitions of the two cities, the concepts of dualism, the role of the Church, and his political philosophy.

Which keywords define this work?

The work is defined by terms like Civitas Dei, dualism, Neoplatonism, theology, pilgrimage, and historical progress.

How does Augustine define the "City of God"?

He defines it not as a physical city, but as a society of individuals unified by their love for God and their orientation toward the eternal hereafter.

What role does the "City of Man" play in history?

It represents the finite, empirical, and worldly society that will terminate after the Last Judgment.

How did Neoplatonism influence Augustine’s work?

It contributed to his dualistic framework, specifically in identifying the kingdom of God with the transcendent "mundus intelligibilis".

Does Augustine view the Church as identical to the City of God?

No, he differentiates the two, noting that the Church is a worldly institution containing both "bad" and "good" humans, whereas the city of God is a transcendent reality.