The City of God - Softcover

St Augustine Of Hippo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1598563378 ISBN 13: 9781598563375

Publisher: Hendrickson, 2009

Synopsis

"The human mind can understand truth only by thinking, as is clear from Augustine."
--Saint Thomas Aquinas
Saint Augustine of Hippo is one of the central figures in the history of Christianity, and this book is one of his greatest theological works. Written as an eloquent defense of the faith at a time when the Roman Empire was on the brink of collapse, it examines the ancient pagan religions of Rome, the arguments of the Greek philosophers and the revelations of the Bible. Pointing the way forward to a citizenship that transcends worldly politics and will last for eternity, this book is one of the most influential documents in the development of Christianity.
One of the great cornerstones in the history of Christian thought, "The City of God "is vital to an understanding of modern Western society and how it came into being. Begun in A.D. 413, the book's initial purpose was to refute the charge that Christianity was to blame for the fall of Rome (which had occurred just three years earlier). Indeed, Augustine produced a wealth of evidence to prove that paganism bore within itself the seeds of its own destruction. However, over the next thirteen years that it took to complete the work, the brilliant ecclesiastic proceeded to his larger theme: a cosmic interpretation of history in terms of the struggle between good and evil. By means of his contrast of the earthly and heavenly cities--the one pagan, self-centered, and contemptuous of God and the other devout, God-centered, and in search of grace--Augustine explored and interpreted human history in relation to eternity.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"This is a magnificent new translation, sure to be welcomed by readers of Augustine old and new. It is certainly worthy of a place among the great translations of this work, offering an eminently readable and accurate rendition. One forgets one is reading a translation -- isn't that the goal of all great translating? Highly recommended."
John Cavadini, Professor of Theology and Director of the Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame

"This lucid translation of Augustine's complicated Latin text, complemented by an expert introduction and helpful notes, is a remarkable achievement indeed. A new jewel in the crown of an already famous series that is highly appreciated worldwide."
Johannes van Oort, Editor of Vigiliae Christianae; Author of Jerusalem and Babylon (1991; paperback: Leiden-Boston 2012)

"All will be grateful for Babcock's new subheadings and summaries, which trace the articulations of Augustine's carefully connected argument. His long reflection and deep understanding, expressed in his outstanding Introduction, shape every sentence of this clear and thoughtful translation."
Gillian Clark, Professor Emerita, University of Bristol; Co-editor, Oxford Early Christian Studies

"William Babcock's City of God is likely to become the new standard thanks to a first-rate introduction, helpful scholarly aids, a substantial index, and a translation into a contemporary English that is clear enough for students to understand yet reliably close to the original."
Paul R. Kolbet, Lecturer in Early Christianity, Yale University; Author of Augustine and the Cure of Souls (Notre Dame 2010)

"The monumental City of God has astonishingly relevant things to say to an age of postmodernism, secularism, multiculturalism and globalisation. This affordable new translation with useful notes will make this masterpiece accessible to the 21st century reader."
Karla Pollmann, Professor of Classics, University of St. Andrews

About the Author

Aurelius Augustinus, Augustine of Hippo (November 13, 354-August 28, 430) is a saint and the pre-eminent Doctor of the Church according to Roman Catholicism; he was the eldest son of Saint Monica. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, which does not accept all of his teachings, he is usually called "Blessed Augustine." Many Protestants consider him to be a spiritual ancestor of Protestantism, in the sense that Protestantism's founder Martin Luther was deeply influenced by him (Luther was trained as an Augustinian monk).

Edition details

• Publisher: Hendrickson
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1598563378
• ISBN 13: 9781598563375
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 900