City of God - (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Augustine
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2006-12-01
Features: The City of God consists of 22 volumes, which can be divided into two main parts. The first part includes the first 10 volumes, primarily refuting the accusations of pagans against Christ and reevaluating Roman history, arguing that the fall of Rome was self-inflicted and unrelated to Christianity. The second part covers volumes 11 to 22 and systematically addresses historical perspectives. Specifically, volumes 11 to 14 elaborate on the origins of human society, or the source of "The City of God" and "The City of Man"; volumes 15 to 18 discuss the development of human history; and volumes 19 to 22 explore the conclusion of human history. The City of God is a massive work with recurring themes and occasional contradictions in its ideas, making it difficult to judge whether it presents a rigorous philosophical system by today's academic standards. Augustine's varied life and complex intellectual journey are significant factors contributing to this phenomenon. He himself once described himself as "a writer who progresses with life and progresses through writing." Nevertheless, this is a late work by Augustine, incorporating his main ideas throughout his life. Therefore, it can be said that The City of God is the "mature flower of Augustine's thought," the culmination of his intellectual legacy.