1. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo 354-430

3. Background North Africa North Africa Home of Perpetua and Felicity (Carthage) Home of Perpetua and Felicity (Carthage) Serious, rigorous in faith Serious, rigorous in faith Dominant presence of Donatists Dominant presence of Donatists Violent conflict in Augustine’s time Violent conflict in Augustine’s time But “backwaters” of Empire But “backwaters” of Empire

4. Augustine’s life Ambitious pagan father Patricius, pious Christian mother Monica Ambitious pagan father Patricius, pious Christian mother Monica Well-educated, career in rhetoric (law) Well-educated, career in rhetoric (law) Spent his youth “searching” Spent his youth “searching” For love: lived with a woman for 15 yrs, had a son For love: lived with a woman for 15 yrs, had a son For meaning: read philosophy, joined different religious/philosophical groups For meaning: read philosophy, joined different religious/philosophical groups For God: unsure about Christianity as a youth For God: unsure about Christianity as a youth Confessions 1: “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you” Confessions 1: “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you”

5. Influential ideas Human condition Human condition Created to love Created to love Deeply influenced by sin (“original sin”), especially “pride” (RWCH, 200) Deeply influenced by sin (“original sin”), especially “pride” (RWCH, 200) Love Love Two loves: for God, for people/creation Two loves: for God, for people/creation People become unhappy when loves are confused People become unhappy when loves are confused Challenge of life: order loves properly Challenge of life: order loves properly “enjoy” God for God’s own sake “enjoy” God for God’s own sake “use” things of creation to get to love of God “use” things of creation to get to love of God “love” neighbor in God (“use with delight”) “love” neighbor in God (“use with delight”) Church and society Church and society Human nature is mixed, church is mixed Human nature is mixed, church is mixed “Two loves founded two cities” (Chidester, 134) “Two loves founded two cities” (Chidester, 134)

6. City of God Response to pagan critique and Christian triumphalism Response to pagan critique and Christian triumphalism Contrasts “earthly” and “heavenly” city Contrasts “earthly” and “heavenly” city Founded on two desires, therefore: Founded on two desires, therefore: proper to human nature proper to human nature But must be ordered correctly But must be ordered correctly Heavenly city Heavenly city “pilgrim” in earthly life “pilgrim” in earthly life Not identical to church, but Christians have dual citizenship Not identical to church, but Christians have dual citizenship Challenge for Christians: sort through their duties to both cities (202, ch. 14) Challenge for Christians: sort through their duties to both cities (202, ch. 14) “Common cause” for mortal human life for both cities (203, ch. 17): civil law “Common cause” for mortal human life for both cities (203, ch. 17): civil law

7. Questions Is he right, that peace is the purpose of waging war? (p199) Is it the highest good? Is he right, that peace is the purpose of waging war? (p199) Is it the highest good? Would anyone disagree, in Aug’s time or today? How/why? Would anyone disagree, in Aug’s time or today? How/why? What might Augustine’s voice contribute to contemporary discussions of religion and politics? What might Augustine’s voice contribute to contemporary discussions of religion and politics? Common good (203) Common good (203) Best use of temporal goods for both cities (202) Best use of temporal goods for both cities (202) WWAD re: views of church? WWAD re: views of church?