The City of God

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LARGE PRINT EDITION with an easy-to-read layout and complete footnotes (>1000). "The City of God, for those who can understand it, contains the secret of death and life, war and peace, hell and heaven." -Thomas Merton. "Of all the saints, Augustine is possibly the one who, as the Quakers phrase it, 'speaks most clearly to our condition.' Today as fifteen hundred years ago." -Anne Fremantle. Written by Saint Augustine between 413-426 CE, this philosophical treatise defends Christianity and aims to solidify its influence in the Roman world. Augustine's mastery of rhetoric and philosophical inquiry has shaped his enduring legacy, impacting theologians like Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin. The first half (Books I-X) critiques Roman religion and philosophy, representing the Earthly City. The second half (Books XI-XXII) defends Christianity through Augustine's philosophy and theology of history. Key excerpts highlight the contrast between the two cities formed by two loves: the earthly city, driven by self-love and pride, and the heavenly city, founded on love for God and humility. The former seeks glory from men, while the latter finds glory in God. In this dichotomy, the earthly city is marked by human wisdom and vanity, while the heavenly city embodies godliness and true worship, aspiring for divine communion.