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by Gregory W. Lee (Author)
Augustine is the most influential thinker of Western Christianity, and City of God is arguably his greatest work.
After the sack of Rome in 410, many Romans despaired about the future of the empire. Critics of Christianity blamed the devastation on the empire's conversion to the faith. City of God is Augustine's monumental response to these challenges, developed through analysis of Roman society, engagement with classical philosophy, and extended commentary on Scripture.
These sprawling discussions yield Augustine's theology of the two cities, according to which all people are divided into two communities according to their ultimate loves, whether of God or of self. Christians are called to love eternal goods over temporal goods even as they seek the peace of the earthly city.
The length and complexity of City of God make its argument difficult to follow, even for specialists. This resource abridges Augustine's work and makes it accessible for a wide readership. The selections focus on his social and political thought while indicating the larger shape of his work. They are accompanied by explanatory notes, essays on critical and complex topics, and an outline of the entire text. These aids will enable readers to experience Augustine's work for themselves.
The Essential "City of God" retrieves ancient wisdom for the modern world, offering an enduring vision for faithfulness and hope in times of social instability.
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"Lee has curated the best anthology of City of God that exists"
City of God is Augustine's fullest treatment of church and society. This abridged edition includes commentary, essays, and other resources for readers to discover his work anew.
"An incredible resource. Lee has curated the best anthology of City of God that exists, surrounded the primary readings with incredibly helpful notes and commentary, and left room for readers to wrestle with Augustine for themselves."
--James K. A. Smith, Calvin University
"The Essential 'City of God' provides readers with the tools to approach this incandescent-if-intimidating work with confidence. This book is bound to become a must-read for Augustine afficionados and newcomers to his oeuvre alike."
--Maria E. Doerfler, Yale University
"Lee has provided modern readers with an invaluable guide that will explain Augustine's social and intellectual context."
--J. Warren Smith, Duke Divinity School
"Lee is an eminently trustworthy guide. His judicious selections combined with his superb introduction, annotations, and essays on vexed topics represent the ideal starting point for engaging this greatest work of one of history's greatest authors."
--Han-luen Kantzer Komline, Western Theological Seminary
"Lee's selection of passages from Augustine's masterpiece, City of God, together with Lee's own astute commentary on those passages, makes for an exceptional work for students and interested general readers. Highly recommended."
--Charles Mathewes, University of Virginia
"Augustine notes that his City of God is the result of 'great and arduous labor.' As anyone who has tried to read it knows, that can describe the reader's experience too. For those daunted by the prospect, Lee has created this intelligently abbreviated edition."
--John C. Cavadini, University of Notre Dame
"Augustine desperately needs not just an editor but a wingman--someone to track his flight as he deep dives into cultural critique, metaphysical speculation, exegetical acrobatics, and otherworldly musings. Lee, one of the best of the new generation of political theologians, offers readers a framework for reading City of God."
--James Wetzel, Villanova University
Author Biography
Gregory W. Lee (PhD, Duke University) is associate professor of theology and urban studies at Wheaton College (Illinois) and senior fellow for The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies. He is the author of Today When You Hear His Voice: Scripture, the Covenants, and the People of God and several articles on Augustine. He also serves as teaching pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church.
