Politics and the Earthly City in Augustine's City of God
Politics and the Earthly City in Augustine's <I>City of God</I>
In this volume, Veronica Roberts Ogle offers a new reading of Augustine's political thought as it is presented in City of God. Focusing on the relationship between politics and the earthly city, she argues that a precise understanding of Augustine's vision can only be reached through a careful consideration of the work's rhetorical strategy and sacramental worldview. Ogle draws on Christian theology and political thought, moral philosophy, and semiotic theory to make her argument. Laying out Augustine's understanding of the earthly city, she proceeds by tracing out his rhetorical strategy and concludes by articulating his sacramental vision and the place of politics within it. Ogle thus suggests a new way of determining the status of politics in Augustine's thought. Her study clarifies seemingly contradictory passages in his text, highlights the nuance of his position, and captures the unity of his vision as presented in City of God.
- Explains and traces out Augustine's rhetorical strategy and presents a framework for interpreting the tone of difficult and seemingly contradictory passages in City of God
- Pays attention to the theological worldview that animates Augustine's mode of writing about politics
- Draws on classical political philosophy, Christian theology, Christian political thought, moral philosophy, and semiotic theory
Reviews & endorsements
'Veronica Ogle's monograph is a brave venture into well-trodden, contested ground … [It] provides a valuable service and a trustworthy guide.' Gregory W. Lee, Modern Theology
'This book is a must-read for understanding the complexities of Augustine's political thought.' Michael Lamb, The Review of Politics
Product details
November 2022Paperback
9781108829496
211 pages
229 × 152 × 12 mm
0.351kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. The parodic city: Augustine's account of the earthly city and its logic of self-love
- 2. The sack of Roma Aeterna: Pride, custom, and the possibility of cultural renewal in book
- 3. Exposing the worldly worldviews of empires, patriots, and philosophers: Augustine's psychagogic strategy
- 4. Roman history retold: Situating Augustine's political pessimism within his psychagogic argument
- 5. The sacramental worldview and its anti-sacramental distortion: Exploring Augustine's theory of signs and its implications for the two cities doctrine
- 6. The status of politics: re-reading City of God 19 in light of Augustine's sacramental vision
- Conclusion.
