1. St. Augustine:
The City of God

2. Overview
Who was Saint Augustine?
What are the two cities?
What lessons can we discern
from St. Augustine’s
conception of the two cities?

3. Aside: Context
Towards the end of the
Roman Empire, the Catholic
Church became a significant
political entity
The relationship between
Church and State became
increasingly problematic

4. Also known as the doctrine of
the two swords
The doctrine submits that there
are two swords of power:
Sacred
Royal
The Gelasian doctrine
sovereign in spiritual matters
sovereign in temporal affairs

5. St. Augustine (354-430)
African convert to Christianity
Baptized into the Christian faith
by St. Ambrose (387 AD)
Became Bishop of Hippo in
(396 AD)
Wrote numerous treatises
Recognized as a Father of the
Church

6. City of God: Assumptions
The City of God is a Catholic
treatise
Belief in one God
God is the architect of all
creation
God is infinite truth and
goodness

7. The Two Cities
Human society can be divided
into two cities depending on
how men choose to live
City of Man
•Men choose to live according to
themselves
City of God
•Men live according to God’s
design/laws

8. The City of Man
Those who live after the flesh
Love of self, even to the
contempt of God
Basis of rule: the love of ruling
Glories in human wisdom and
strength
Finite

9. The City of God
Those who live after the Spirit
Love of God, even to the
contempt of self
Basis of Rule: Love
“There is no human wisdom,
only godliness…”
Everlasting

10. On The Two Cities…
Both cities overlap
Both desire peace
The City of Man desires peace
to enjoy earthly goods
The aim of the City of God is
to achieve eternal peace
(eternal life in peace)

11. On The Two Cities…
Both use earthly resources to
attain their respective peace
For the City of Man, this
includes the waging of war
For the City of God, the use of
temporal things aids in the
attainment of eternal peace

12. Analysis
Both exhibit the fundamental
concepts of rule, peace and
justice
Rule in the City of God is
more constructive
Service to those who are ruled
Has its basis in duty

13. Analysis
The peace achieved in the City
of God is proper to man
No lasting peace has befallen
the City of Man
Peace in the City of God suits
man’s rational soul

14. Analysis
True justice is only proper to the
City of God
“That virtue which gives every
one his due.”
A republic cannot be
administered without justice
Justice is rooted in God’s divine
laws

15. Lessons
There have to be underlying
principles that govern human
affairs
Peace is a means to an end
Rule or authority should be
undertaken as a service or out
of duty to one’s fellows