The City of God: Books 11-22 (I/7)

by Augustine of Hippo, William Babcock (Translator)

Along with his Confessions, The City of God is undoubtedly St. Augustine's most influential work. Following Augustine's critique of the Roman religious, political, and intellectual tradition in Books 1-10, Books 11-22 set out his great vision of the origins, the histories, and the ultimate destinies of the two cities: the earthly city, rooted in love of self as expressed in the pride and lust for domination that shatter human society, and the heavenly city, rooted in love of God as expressed in the humility and yearning for the supreme good that unite humanity in a just social order. For all those who are interested in the greatest classics of Christian antiquity, The City of God is indispensable.

This long-awaited translation by William Babcock is published in two volumes, with an introduction and annotation that make Augustine's monumental work approachable. The INDEX for Books 1-22 (both volumes of The City of God) is contained in this volume.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Classics, Religion, History, Christianity

1061 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 1955

About the author

Early church father and philosopher Saint Augustine served from 396 as the bishop of Hippo in present-day Algeria and through such writings as the autobiographical Confessions in 397 and the voluminous City of God from 413 to 426 profoundly influenced Christianity, argued against Manichaeism and Donatism, and helped to establish the doctrine of original sin.

An Augustinian follows the principles and doctrines of Saint Augustine.

People also know Aurelius Augustinus in English of Regius (Annaba). From the Africa province of the Roman Empire, people generally consider this Latin theologian of the greatest thinkers of all times. He very developed the west. According to Jerome, a contemporary, Augustine renewed "the ancient Faith."

The Neo-Platonism of Plotinus afterward heavily weighed his years. After conversion and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to theology and accommodated a variety of methods and different perspectives. He believed in the indispensable grace to human freedom and framed the concept of just war. When the Western Roman Empire started to disintegrate from the material earth, Augustine developed the concept of the distinct Catholic spirituality in a book of the same name. He thought the medieval worldview. Augustine closely identified with the community that worshiped the Trinity. The Catholics and the Anglican communion revere this preeminent doctor. Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider his due teaching on salvation and divine grace of the theology of the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox also consider him. He carries the additional title of blessed. The Orthodox call him "Blessed Augustine" or "Saint Augustine the Blessed."

Santo Agostinho

Reviews

[Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

What could I possibly say?

This is a masterful tome of Christian theology which meanders through philosophy, aesthetics, rhetoric, pagan theology, exegesis, hermeneutics, text criticism, church history, and much more. It is impossible to overstate its importance in church history—not to mention world history.

From the first book, there is a driving plot which works its way through world history, constantly resetting the timelines, adjusting them, plotting civilization on civilization. It is a work which takes learnedness and scripture seriously. Yet the consummation of all the work is XXII.30: the inexplicable bliss of eternal delight in God.

"And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time."
- T.S. Eliot

To have finished such a work is an accomplishment, a crown jewel of my seminary experience.

[Zack Clemmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already believe in God. Augustine helps me believe in theology.

[Jon Coutts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished Easter Sunday 2023. Books 16-18 are a slog, and one wishes for a longer Book 19, but it's easy to see why this has had such a lasting impact. I found allegations of Augustinian imperialism unwarranted, but his view of hell unconvincing.

[Michael Kenan Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this over the past 8 months together slowly and discussing every couple of weeks with a friend. I took Thomas Merton's advice and read Books 11-22 first before returning to Books 1-10, and I think it was definitely the right decision for a first, slow read through. I had no idea of the breadth of subjects and topics that Augustine covers in this work, including biblical overview and commentary, political theory, theology of other religions and demonology, angelology, apologetics, death & martyrdom, moral philosophy, eschatology. It really is unsummarisable.

[Kezscribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Augustine penned it as Rome was crumbling apart, yet his words have far-reaching implications. He doesn't merely defend Christianity; he exposes the constant battle at the centre of human existence. There are two cities: the City of Man, based on pride and ambition, and the City of God, where true peace can be found. This wasn't the politics I knew—petty, performative, and tedious. Augustine pushes us to look beyond it and question where our hearts truly reside. Am i truly seeking the City of God, or am I still clinging to Babylon's ruins?

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Augustine is a little long-winded sometimes, but his insights into Scripture, theology, history, philosophy, psychology, and every other field of human inquiry are worth any amount of effort or time.

[Caleb Rolling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy moly. There’s a good reason we’re still reading City of God. Truly epic.

[Josh Kannard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. Giving thanks not to Augustine, but with him, to God. Amen. Amen.

[Lukas Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magisterial, and actually worthy of that description. It’s a challenge but reading through the entire work carefully is crucial for seeing what Augustine is doing. There is a lifetime of gold to be dug up in this work. Fantastic, and a true gift this translation is to the church.