The City of God, Volume I
In this monumental work, Augustine responds to pagan accusations that Christianity caused the fall of Rome. He contrasts the Earthly City, characterized by self-love and temporal ambition, with the City of God, characterized by love of God and eternal destiny. Volume I covers the refutation of pagan claims regarding temporal prosperity and the origins of the two cities.
Part I: Refutation of Paganism (Books 1-10)
Augustine addresses the immediate charge that Christian abandonment of pagan gods led to the sack of Rome. He reviews Roman history to show that disasters occurred even when the gods were worshipped, and argues that true worship is directed toward eternal life, not temporal gain.
Refutation of Worship for Temporal Prosperity (Books 1-5)
Augustine argues against those who believe pagan gods are necessary for worldly success. He demonstrates that Rome suffered calamities long before Christ and that the gods failed to protect Roman morals or the empire from disaster.
Book First
Augustine censures pagans who attribute the sack of Rome to Christianity. He discusses the indiscriminate nature of blessings and ills in life, affecting both good and bad, and rebukes the shamelessness of the pagans regarding the violation of Christian women.
Book Second
A review of calamities Rome suffered before Christ, proving that pagan worship did not preserve the city. Augustine argues that the gods actually corrupted Roman morals rather than protecting the state.
Book Third
Augustine continues his survey of Roman history, focusing on external and bodily disasters such as wars and plagues. He shows that these afflicted Rome even during the height of pagan worship.
Book Fourth
The extent and duration of the Roman Empire are ascribed not to Jove or the pagan gods, but to the one true God. Augustine argues that earthly kingdoms are founded and maintained by God's power and judgment.
Book Fifth
Augustine discusses the doctrine of fate and the compatibility of God's prescience with free will. He examines the manners of the ancient Romans and the true happiness of Christian emperors, distinguishing between virtue for glory and virtue for piety.
Refutation of Worship for Eternal Life (Books 6-10)
Augustine turns to the theological argument, refuting the idea that the pagan gods can grant eternal life. He critiques Varro's theology and the Platonic philosophers, distinguishing between the true God and demons.
Book Sixth
Introduction to the refutation of worship for eternal life. Augustine adopts Varro's division of theology into mythical, natural, and civil, and begins to show that neither the mythical nor civil theologies can lead to happiness.
Book Seventh
Augustine demonstrates that eternal life is not obtained through the worship of the 'select gods' of civil theology, such as Janus, Jupiter, and Saturn.
Book Eighth
Augustine examines natural theology, engaging with the Platonists. He refutes Apuleius and others who claim demons should be worshipped as mediators, arguing that demons are impure and delight in wickedness.
Book Ninth
Augustine addresses the distinction between good and bad demons, exploding this distinction and proving that Christ alone, not any demon, provides men with eternal blessedness.
Book Tenth
Augustine teaches that the good angels desire worship to be directed to God alone. He disputes with Porphyry regarding the principle and way of the soul's cleansing and deliverance, emphasizing the need for Christ as mediator.
Part II: The Origin of the Two Cities (Books 11-13)
Augustine begins the positive exposition of his theology, tracing the origins of the City of God and the Earthly City from the creation of the world and the fall of the angels.
Book Eleventh
The formation of the two cities is traced to the separation of the good and bad angels. Augustine treats the creation of the world as described in Genesis, interpreting the six days of creation.
Book Twelfth
Augustine inquires into the origin of good and evil wills in angels and the cause of their blessedness or misery. He then treats of the creation of man, affirming he is not from eternity but created by God.
Book Thirteenth
Augustine teaches that death is penal and had its origin in Adam's sin. He explores the nature of death, both for the soul and the body, and the consequences of the Fall.