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
The City of God
by Saint Augustine
Public Domain
From the Classics Collection
Mr. Dave Coleman
Dr. & Mrs. Larry Crabb
Mr. Roger Cross
Dr.
Kenneth
Gangel
Rev.
SamuelO.Farina
Rev.Kenneth
& Mrs. O.
Lud
Golz
Dr.
Gangel
Dr.
Howard
G.Lud
Hendricks
Rev.
& Mrs.
Golz
OlanG.
Hendrix
Dr.Mr.
Howard
Hendricks
Dr.
Jeremiah
Mr.David
Olan Hendrix
Rev.David
KnuteJeremiah
Larson
Dr.
Dr.
John
C. Maxwell
Rev.
Knute
Larson
Dr.John
Bruce
Dr.
C.McNicol
Maxwell
Mr.Bruce
DeanMcNicol
Merrill
Dr.
Mrs.
Elisa Morgan
Mr. Dean
Merrill
Dr.Elisa
Luis Morgan
Palau
Mrs.
Dr. Dr.
Gilbert
A. Peterson
Ray Ortlund
Rev.
Dr. Wes
LuisRoberts
Palau
& Mrs.
Jamie
Dr.Rev.
Gilbert
A. Peterson
Rassmussen
Rev. Wes Roberts
Mr. Jim Warren
Rev. & Mrs. Jamie
Dr.Rassmussen
Rick Warren
Mr. Jim Warren
Dr. Rick Warren
Publishers
Catherine & David
Publishers
Martin
Catherine & David
Martin
Editors
Cheryl & Michael
Chiapperino
Editors
Cheryl & Michael
Chiapperino
A Quick Focus
The Book’s 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 God’s 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 Book’s 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 God’s
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.
22
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 Christ’s 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.
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
BookIIIIII
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 Rome’s 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
BookIVIV
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 Rome’s 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.
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
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 VI
Book VI
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
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
continued on page 3
3
Book VII
continued from page 2
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.
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
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 Christ’s 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 soul’s deliverance.
Book XI
Book XI
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
continued on page 4
4
Book XI
continued from page 3
“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 God’s
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 God’s 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 God’s
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 God’s
continued on page 5
5
Book XII
continued from page 4
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
God’s 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.”
Book XIII
Book XIII
By Adam’s 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 sin’s punishment. Despite the falling of angels and the sin
of men, God’s 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
man’s seed, aided by divine grace, this same devil
himself should be conquered, to the greater
glory of the saints.”
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: 21–25). 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).
Books XV–XVII
Book XV–XVII
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 XIX–XXI
Books XIX–XXI
Regarding the two cities, what
then is their destiny? The heavenly
city, the City of Supreme Good,
is destined for life eternal; the
continued on page 6
6
Books XIX–XXI
continued from page 5
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: 25–27). 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.”
Book
Book XXII
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 65:17–19).
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
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
77
Book XXII
continued from page 6
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 David’s 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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readable summaries of noteworthy books
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The opinions expressed are
those of the original writers
and are not necessarily those
of Christian Book Summaries
or its Council of Reference.
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.