Books that Matter: The City of God

"The City of God"; its scale and structure; its many layers; why Augustine is writing this book and for whom; its impact on the world.

The paradoxical life of Augustine; his importance as a historical figure; his metaphysical dualism; his antidemocratic adherence to Church law; the real Augustine.

The sack of Rome; its impact; Roman elites view it as a turning point that changes the world forever; the event lasts three days; it serves as a catalyst for change than a cataclysm in its own right; how it inspires Augustine to write.

How Augustine co-opts Roman notions of city and glory and applies them to his divine purpose; Mathewes sets the stage with some context about the many audiences that Augustine is writing for; the arguments against Christians.

How Augustine's approach toward life differs from the Romans view; Book 1 opens by addressing civic-minded Roman citizens looking for happiness in this life; exploring the problem of evil and questions of suffering and suicide.

Studying Augustine's argument toward civic-minded Romans by reviewing his attacks on their morality and their sense of self-regard; Augustine teases out the logical and psychological implications of the Romans' quest for domination.