An Encapsulated View of the Best from Christian Publishers

Volume 4 . Issue 24 August 2008

C L A S S I C S

COUNCIL OF REFERENCE

Dr. Richard Averbeck Rev. D. Stuart Briscoe Dr. Paul Cedar Mr. Dave Coleman Dr. & Mrs. Larry Crabb Mr. Roger Cross Dr. Kenneth O. Gangel Rev. Samuel Farina Rev. & Mrs. Lud Golz Dr. Kenneth O. Gangel Dr. Howard G. Hendricks Rev. & Mrs. Lud Golz Dr.Mr. OlanG. Hendricks Howard Hendrix Dr. David Hendrix Mr. Olan Jeremiah Rev. Knute Larson Dr. David Jeremiah Dr. John C. Maxwell Rev. Knute Larson Dr. Bruce Maxwell Dr. John C.McNicol Mr. Dean Merrill Dr. Bruce McNicol Mrs. Dean Morgan Mr. Elisa Merrill Dr. Luis Palau Mrs. Elisa Morgan Dr. Dr. Ray Ortlund Gilbert A. Peterson Rev. Wes Roberts Dr. Luis Palau Rev. & Mrs. Jamie Dr. Gilbert A. Peterson Rassmussen Rev. Wes Roberts Mr. Jim Warren Rev. & Mrs. Jamie Dr. Rick Warren Rassmussen Mr. Jim Warren Dr. Rick Warren

The City of God

by Saint Augustine Public Domain From the Classics Collection

A Quick Focus
The Books Purpose
Clarify that Christianity was not to blame for the fall of the Roman Empire Reveal that even the most evil actions of fallen angels and sinful man cannot thwart the unfolding of Gods eternal plan Propose that the fall of the Roman Empire was insignificant in the context of the eternal plan of God Describe the choice we must all make~choose to occupy either the City of God or the City of Earth~the consequence of which is eternal

The Books Message

The year was A.D. 410 when King Alaric of the Vandals captured the city of Rome. The Romans thought the city would never fall, so the conquering of Rome shook them to the core and led to the collapse of the entire Roman Empire. Those of pagan beliefs quickly blamed the Christians~the Roman gods had abandoned them because so many had forsaken them and accepted Christ. Augustine refuted this idea. Using this historical moment as a springboard, he established that all of history is simply a record of the execution of Gods plans. God set in motion a plan that included free will and choices~ the consequences of which are eternal. With the fall of angels and the original sin of Adam, the earthly city was established. It was and is still occupied by those who strive for the glorification of self. Running parallel throughout time has been the heavenly city~the City of God. It was and is still occupied by those who strive to praise and glorify only the one true God. Every person must choose which city to occupy and serve.

Publishers Catherine & David Publishers Martin Catherine & David Martin Editors
Cheryl & Michael Chiapperino Editors Cheryl & Michael Chiapperino

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Book Book I I
Pagans claimed that Rome fell because the Christian religion had weakened it. In truth, the blessings and difficulties of life happened to good and bad alike~misfortune happened to everyone. In fact, the barbarians who stormed the city spared, for Christs sake, their adversaries. It was unusual that the conqueror would show mercy to the defeated out of respect for their gods. The Romans themselves, when conquering cities, did not spare the lives of the defeated. The cruelties that occurred during the capture of Rome were in agreement with the convention of war, but the acts of mercy were the result of the influence of the name of Christ. Although imprisoned and mistreated, the saints lost nothing by losing their earthly possessions. Even when subjected to violations during their captivity, their own will did not consent and their souls were not contaminated. was due to the virtue of the ancient Romans themselves, but ultimately to the counsel of God~He rewarded their virtue by increasing their dominion even though they did not worship Him. Totally ignorant of the true source of the success, the Romans boasted of their greatness. In contrast, Christians know they must be far from boasting, for they know the true source of their success. All they do is for love of their eternal home, whereas the Romans did all for human glory and an earthly dominion. There is a vast difference between true glory and the desire of domination. Although they did not acknowledge it, the Romans enjoyed a dominion that was granted by Him from whom all power emanates and by whose providence all things are ruled.

Book II II Book
Before the time of Christ, Rome had suffered hardships and tragedies. Although its people had worshipped false gods, they were not protected from misfortune. To the contrary, the Romans suffered the greatest calamity of all~they became weak due to moral and spiritual corruption. Their gods did nothing to protect them; instead, totally devoid of holiness of life, their worship lead them further into depravity. This was not, by any means, a unique event in human history. Since Christian beliefs result in healthy living, and since history shows many examples of the unhealthy consequences of paganism, it benefited Romans to renounce their pagan practices.

Book VI

Book VI

Book III Book III

Even when false gods were worshipped by the Romans, the world continually suffered. Why did they not defend Rome in the past? Before the advent of Christ, Romans were subjected to calamities~physical and bodily disasters. Consider the adultery of Paris, the fratricidal act of Romulus, the destruction of Ilium by Finbria, the wickedness of the war waged against the Albans~actions brought about by their own moral and spiritual degradation. Romans suffered incredible disasters during the Punic Wars~no protection was provided by their gods. Yet, these things are set aside in memory when considering the reason for Romes demise. It is effrontery to impute the present troubles to Christ and His followers, since even when the gods were worshipped, such calamities befell the people.

Book IVIV Book

The long duration of the empire of Rome is not to be attributed to the worshipping of the heathen gods, who failed to defend Rome throughout a history abounding with disaster. Have earthly kingdoms been aided or thwarted through intervention by these gods? Has the worship of these gods been of service to obtain or extend Romes empire? Or, is there one true God, the giver of virtue and felicity who held the past, present, and future in His hand? Consider the kingdom of the Jews; it was founded by the one and true God and preserved by Him as long as they remained steadfast in their worship of Him alone. The times of all kings and kingdoms are ordained by the judgment and power of the true God.

Are the heathen gods to be worshipped for the sake of eternal life? Through the worship of these gods, are we assured eternal happiness? Varro, the most esteemed writer on heathen theology, divides theology into three kinds~mythical, natural, and civil. Varro himself reveals that neither mythical nor civil theology can assure happiness in future life. Other pagan authors and teachers attempt to show natural explanations for their gods. But, once the vanity of these gods has been exposed, it becomes obvious that they are unable to bestow eternal life on anyone; they do not afford help even with respect to the present, the things of this temporal life.

Book VII

Book VII

Book V

Book V

The power and increase of the Roman Empire, and all other kingdoms, cannot be attributed to false gods. The cause is neither fortuitous nor does it consist in the position of the stars. In a sense, this power and increase

Can eternal life be obtained by the worship of Janus, Jupiter, Saturn, or other select gods of civil theology? Who are the select gods? For what reasons do they occupy offices above the commoner gods? According to Varro, god is the soul of the world and is manifested in various parts or souls whose
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Book VII
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nature is divine. Even Varro himself pronounced his own opinions of these parts, or souls~whether named Janus, Jupiter, Terminus, Pecunia, Saturn, Mercury, Mars, Apollo, Diana, Neptune, Salacia, or Venilia~ as ambiguous. He affirms Earth to be a goddess since that part of what he defines god to be encom-passes it. In reality, all of these things which the physical theologists refer to as parts, or souls, ought to have been recognized as characteristics of the one true God. Only by distinguishing the Creator from the creation can the truth of one Author be acknowledged.

Book VIII

Book VIII

Mythical and civil theologies are of no avail toward securing a blessed eternal life. Will the worship of the gods of natural theology secure blessedness in the life to come? To answer this question, philosophers of more excellent wisdom must be consulted. Plato, uppermost disciple of Socrates, provides a useful foundation in his threefold division of philosophy. So, it is the Platonists opinions, in particular, that are preferred in this ongoing dispute concerning matters of theology, since they excel in logic and rational thinking. Platonists also exude strength in moral philosophy, coming nearest of pagan philosophers to Christian faith, though the Christian religion is above all the science of philosophers. Even the Platonists, who often refer to one true God, continued to suggest that sacred rites were to be performed to honor many gods. Concerning these gods, Plato defined them as good, as friends of virtue. The Platonist Apuleius discussed the manner and actions of demons. They were to be worshipped and employed in order to gain favor in the eyes of the gods. What religion would believe such a thing? And, to the point of the gods using demons as messengers and interpreters, do they do so willingly or without their knowledge? In no way can men be reconciled to good gods by demons. Demons are the slaves of vice. They delight in and patronize what good and wise men abhor and condemn~blasphemous fiction and magical arts. Regardless of the opinion of Apuleius, we must reject the worship of demons! The superstitions and idolatry must be abolished.

Book IX

Book IX

Among the demons, are there distinctions between good and bad? Are there good demons who can assist the human soul to reach true blessedness? Apuleius ascribes no virtue to demons. He explains that it is gods who dwell in Heaven, demons who occupy the air, and men who inhabit Earth. Platonists suggest that the souls of men become demons upon vacating the body. Consider, since demons are not blessed like the gods nor wretched like men, can demons mediate between gods and men when they have nothing in common with either? Christ Jesus is the only true mediator between God and men, being both God and man. To obtain the blessed life and partake in the supreme good, man needs mediation not by a demon but by Christ alone. Though demons may make promises of godly intercession, their true goal is to turn men from the path of truth. Christ alone provides men with eternal blessedness.

true worship of God, evidenced by their ascribing divine honor to both good and bad angels, rather than understanding that sacrifice is due to the true God only. Angels~holy angels~motivated by love, desire that we not worship them but worship instead the one true God. Unfortunately, some Platonists, such as Porphyry, remain connected to demon worship. True miracles are created by the one true God and are delivered through the ministry of His holy angels. Men are to worship God for both eternal blessings and earthly prosperity because all things are ordered by His divine intervention. The purpose of holy angels is to fulfill the providence of God. No holy angel will demand divine honor for himself but only for God. As a fulfillment of the Ark of the Covenant, the promises, and the requirement of sacrifices, the supreme and true sacrifice, Jesus Christ, the mediator between God and men, was provided by God Himself. Only through Christ do saints derive power against demons and true purification of heart. The Platonists state principles by which the soul is purified, but there is only one true principle that purifies and renews the human soul~the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. Men are justified and made pure by faith in the mystery of Christs incarnation. Porphyry, whose mistakes are even worse than those of Apuleius, is weakened by his wavering between the confession of the true God and the worship of demons. How could he be so blind as to not recognize the truth~Christ Jesus? The grace provided through Christ has alone provided the universal way of the souls deliverance.

Book XI

Book XI

Book X

Book X

The angels of Heaven want only God, whom they serve, to be given divine honor through sacrifice or latreia. The Platonists believe that God alone can bestow happiness on men or angels, but it is yet to be decided whether the spirits want sacrifice offered to them or to the one God alone. Although Platonists have some knowledge of the Creator, they misunderstand

Herein begins the explanation of the origins, histories, and destinies of the two cities~the earthly and the heavenly~formed by the separation of the good and bad angels. First, let it be clear that there is no knowledge of God but through the mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus. It is not wise to attempt to understand
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Book XI
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There is no question, then, that if the angels are included in the works of God during these six days, they are that light which was called Day, and whose unity Scripture signalizes by calling that day not the first day, but one day. For the second day, the third, and the rest are not other days; but the same one day is repeated to complete the number six or seven, so that there should be knowledge both of Gods works and of His rest. For when God said, Let there be light, and there was light, if we are justified in understanding in this light the creation of the angels, then certainly they were created par-takers of the eternal light which is the unchangeable Wisdom of God, by which all things were made, and whom we call the only-begotten Son of God; so that they, being illumined by the Light that created them, might themselves become light and be called Day, in participation of that unchangeable Light and Day which is the Word of God, by whom both themselves and all else were made.

the infinite ages of time before the creation of the world nor the infinite realms of space. The world and time had one beginning; one did not precede the other. God created all and on the seventh day He rested. When it is said that God rested on the seventh day from all His works, and hallowed it, we are not to conceive of this in a childish fashion, as if work were a toil to God, who spake and it was done,~ spake by the spiritual and eternal, not audible and transitory word. But Gods rest signifies the rest of those who rest in God, as the joy of a house means the joy of those in the house who rejoice, though not the house, but something else, causes the joy. Although the Bible does not record the exact moment when the angels were created, we know that by their very nature they are light. God, the good and unchangeable Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is one God in whom substance and quality are identical. In this blessedness the angels were created. From all this, it will readily occur to any one that the blessedness which an intelligent being desires as its legitimate object results from a combination of these two things, namely, that it uninterruptedly enjoy the unchangeable good, which is God; and that it be delivered from all dubiety, and know certainly that it shall eternally abide in the same enjoyment. That it is so with the angels of light

we piously believe; but that the fallen angels, who by their own default lost that light, did not enjoy this blessedness even before they sinned, reason bids us conclude. Two different communities of angels existed, signified by the names Light and Dark. The wickedness of Dark is not nature, but contrary to nature, and has its origin, not in the Creator, but in the will. This was not a surprise to God, for He uses for good even the evil committed through the will.

But God, as He is the supremely good Creator of good natures, so is He of evil wills the most just Ruler; so that, while they make an ill use of good natures, He makes a good use even of evil wills. Accordingly, He caused the devil (good by Gods creation, wicked by his own will) to be cast down from his high position, and to become the mockery of His angels,~that is, He caused his temptations to benefit those whom he wishes to injure by them.

Book XII

Book XII

Regarding the angels, is there in some a good will and in others an evil will? The nature of angels, both good and bad, is the same. The difference between angels of light and angels of darkness lies not in a difference in their nature and origin, since God created them both, but in a difference in their wills and desires. Angels of darkness were not content to continue in the eternal truth and love of God. They, instead, became enamored with their own power and in so doing, traded the dignity of Gods
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Book XII
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eternity for pride and vanity, which lead to deception and envy. Regarding the creation of man, he is not from eternity, but was created by the one true God. In this first man, who was created in the beginning, there was laid the foundation, not indeed evidently, but in Gods foreknowledge, of these two cities or societies, so far as regards the human race. For from that man all men were to be derived~some of them to be associated with the good angels in their reward, others with the wicked in punishment; all being ordered by the secret yet just judgment of God.

As a result of sin, two cities were formed~the earthly and the heavenly. The earthly city is ruled by love of self; the heavenly city, by love of God and contempt of self. The first seeks glory from men; the latter from the Lord. The first delights in its own strength; the latter says, I will love thee, O Lord, my strength (Psalm 18:1). And therefore the wise men of the one city, living according to man, have sought for profit to their own bodies or souls, or both, and those who have known God glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened; professing themselves to be wise,~that is, glorying in their own wisdom, and being possessed by pride,~they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. For they were either leaders or followers of the people in adoring images, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. (Romans 1: 2125). But in the other city there is no human wis-dom, but only godliness, which offers due worship to the true God, and looks for its reward in the society of the saints, of holy angels as well as holy men, that God may be all in all (1 Corinthians 15: 28).

Book XIII

Book XIII

By Adams original sin did death come to be. Unlike the angels who cannot die, man was created to live by condition~if he lived in obedience to his Creator, he would enjoy angelic immortality and blessed eternity; if he disobeyed, he would experience death. What then is death? First, there is the death of the mortal body, but here the issue of death of the soul is addressed. The soul was created to be immortal, yet can experience a kind of death in itself when separated from God. The death, then, of the soul takes place when God forsakes it, as the death of the body when the soul forsakes it. And so, there are two deaths~the death of the body and the death of the soul. Of the first and bodily death, then, we may say that to the good it is good, and evil to the evil. But, doubtless, the second, as it happens to none of the good, so it can be good for none.

Book XIV

Book XIV

Through the original sin of Adam, all men would have been doomed to the endless misery of the second death had not God intervened, through His grace, by providing a Savior in Christ Jesus. This Savior is needed by all of mankind for all are sinners. The sin of men is not caused by the flesh but by the soul. The misery contracted from sin is not the sin itself but sins punishment. Despite the falling of angels and the sin of men, Gods will is still carried out.

The sins of men and angels do nothing to impede the great works of the Lord which accomplish His will. For He who by His providence and omnipotence distributes to everyone his own portion, is able to make good use not only of the good, but also of the wicked God was not ignorant that man would fall, why should He not have suffered him to be tempted by an angel who hated and envied him? It was not, indeed, that He was unaware that he should be conquered, but because He foresaw that by the mans seed, aided by divine grace, this same devil himself should be conquered, to the greater glory of the saints.

Books XVXVII Book XVXVII

Throughout the Old Testament we see the cities develop~the earthly by the children of the flesh and the heavenly by the children of the promise. The parallel courses of the earthly and heavenly cities were highlighted in Scripture, from Abraham to the Old Testament prophets, and then on to Christ.

Book XIXXXI Books XIXXXI

Regarding the two cities, what then is their destiny? The heavenly city, the City of Supreme Good, is destined for life eternal; the
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Books XIXXXI
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earthly city, for eternal death. David predicted the end of the world in his Psalms: In the beginning hast Thou laid the foundations of the earth, O Lord; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish, but Thou shall endure; yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; and as a vesture Thou shall change them, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail (Psalm 52: 2527). He makes it clear that the earthly city will end, but the heavenly city will go on for eternity. Those of the earthly city shall be judged justly and receive their eternal damnation. Those of the heavenly city will also be judged justly: And hence, when His saints have been gathered to Him and set at His right hand in the last judgment, Christ shall say, Come, ye blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat, (Matthew 25:34) and so on, mentioning the good works of the good, and their eternal rewards assigned by the last sentence of the Judge.

sacred song, in which I read or hear the words, Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, O Lord; they will be still praising Thee (Psalm 84:4). The saints will want for nothing and discontent shall be nonexistent. But who can conceive, not to say describe, what degrees of honor and glory shall be awarded to the various degrees of merit? Yet it cannot be doubted that there shall be degrees. And in that blessed city there shall be this great blessing, that no inferior shall envy any superior, as now the archangels are not envied by the angels, because no one will wish to be what he has not received, though bound in strictest concord with him who has received; as in the body the finger does not seek to be the eye, though both members are harmoniously included in the complete structure of the body. And thus, along with his gift, greater or less, each shall receive this further gift of contentment to desire no more than he has. They shall experience abundant free will. Neither are we to suppose that because sin shall have no power to delight them, free will must be withdrawn. It will, on the contrary, be all the more truly free, because set free from delight in sinning to take unfailing delight in not sinning. For the first freedom of will which man received when he was created upright consisted in an ability not to sin, but also in an ability to sin; whereas this last freedom of will shall be superior, inasmuch as it shall not be able to sin. This, indeed, shall not be a natural ability, but the gift of God. They shall carry no weight of guilt for their past sins. The saints shall forget their past ills, for they shall have so thoroughly escaped them all, that they shall be quite blotted out of their experience. But their intellectual knowledge, which shall be great, shall keep them acquainted not only with their own past woes, but with the eternal sufferings of the lost. For if they were

Book XXII Book XXII

The earthly city shall end. What will be the future of the heavenly city~the City of God? There will be an eternal happiness of the saints~the inhabitants of the heavenly city. There shall be a new heaven and a new earth: and the former shall not be mentioned, nor come into mind; but they shall find joy and rejoicing in it: for I will make Jerusalem a rejoicing, and my people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people, and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her (Isaiah 65:1719). The saints will experience the resurrection of the body~not just their earthly bodies, but bodies made new, bodies with all blemishes that marred human beauty removed.

Whatever, therefore, has been taken from the body, either during life or after death shall be restored to it, and, in conjunction with what has remained in the grave, shall rise again, transformed from the oldness of the animal body into the newness of the spiritual body, and clothed in incorruption and immortality. But even though the body has been all quite ground to powder by some severe accident, or by the ruthlessness of enemies, and though it has been so diligently scattered to the winds, or into the water, that there is no trace of it left, yet it shall not be beyond the omnipotence of the Creator,~no, not a hair of its head shall perish.
The saints, clothed in immortal and spiritual bodies, shall be occupied by praising and worshipping God. How great shall be that felicity, which shall be tainted with no evil, which shall lack no good, and which shall afford leisure for the praises of God, who shall be all in all! For I know not what other employment there can be where no lassitude shall slacken activity, nor any want stimulate to labor. I am admonished also by the

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Book XXII
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not to know that they had been miserable, how could they, as the Psalmist says, for ever sing the mercies of God? Certainly that city shall have no greater joy than the celebration of the grace of Christ, who redeemed us by His blood. The saints will throughout eternity carry out Davids words, Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).
Volume 4, Issue 24
Publishers

Catherine & David Martin

When we are restored by Him, and perfected with greater grace, we shall have eternal leisure to see that He is God, for we shall be full of Him when He shall be all in all ... This knowledge shall be perfected when we shall be perfectly at rest, and shall perfectly know that He is God.
CBS

Editors

Cheryl & Michael Chiapperino

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City of God, written in Latin by Augustine of Hippo in the early 5th century, deals with issues concerning God, martyrdom, Jews, and other Christian philosophies. Public domain Available at your favorite bookstore or online bookseller. It can also be downloaded free of charge at a variety of websites, including Christian Classics Ethereal Library (www.ccel.org). The author: Saint Augustine (354 430), Bishop of Hippo Regius, was a philosopher and theologian. Augustine, a Latin church father, is one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christianity. Radically influenced by Platonism, he framed the concepts of original sin and just war. When the Roman Empire in the West was starting to disintegrate, Augustine developed the concept of the Church as a spiritual City of God, distinct from the material City of Man. Summarized by: Bonnie Church is a website content manager, editor, freelance writer, and avid gardener. She and her husband, Doug, are proud parents of six and grandparents of ten. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. Bonnie, Doug, and their family live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.