Greek, Roman, and Hebrew Cultures’ in The City of God
In the ancient world Rome was known as the Eternal City because the Romans thought it would last forever. However, the empire of Rome fell in 410. The pagans were quick to blame the new found religion of Christianity for the city’s demise. This led to the Bishop of Hippo, St. Augustine, to develop the concept of a distinction from a materialistic Earthly City and Heavenly City. St. Augustine theorized this concept in his book The City of God. His book soon became a staple for Christians all over, as it greatly influenced Christian philosophy and the development of Christianity in Western Civilization. The City of God is full of sophisticated passages that challenged readers and their beliefs. …show more content…
Augustine defined Rome as a non-ideal political state because it lacked justice. Augustine explains that other cultures believe that evil will ruin a city as well. In Book Four, Chapter Two, he uses an excerpt from Apuleius’ book De Mundo that says, “all earthly things are subject to change, overthrow, and destruction”. The destruction comes from injustice. Later on in Chapter Four, Augustine compares the lack of justice within a city to a robbery. Therefore, a city cannot survive without some sort of judicial support. In Book 13, Augustine relates to Hebrew Culture and how the Hebrew God deals with justice. He uses the example of Adam eating the forbidden fruit. In Chapter 15, Augustine paraphrases scripture to explain that if Adam disobeys God and eats the fruit, God will desert him in justice. Ultimately, justice is received by obedience to God. Augustine appropriates two stories in Roman culture. One of them shows obedience, which would earn justice, while the other one does not. Regulus was obedient and accepted death. On the other hand, the virgins committed suicide even though their life was still valued. Although, both examples result in death only one of them was obedient. Augustine encourages obedience in God to seek justice. If a population is obedient and earns justice, they form a Heavenly …show more content…
St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, challenged his readers by his unique viewpoints. He challenges readers to pick either The Worldly City or The Heavenly City. Also, he advises his readers to obey God and avoid worldly, materialistic items. By appropriating Greek, Roman, and Hebrew cultures Augustine relates to society. Augustine believes that creation was initiated by God, and in the big picture the fall of Rome is irrelevant. To him, the only true thing humanity should strive for is The Heavenly City to seek salvation from
In the ancient world Rome was known as the Eternal City because the Romans thought it would last forever. However, the empire of Rome fell in 410. The pagans were quick to blame the new found religion of Christianity for the city’s demise. This led to the Bishop of Hippo, St. Augustine, to develop the concept of a distinction from a materialistic Earthly City and Heavenly City. St. Augustine theorized this concept in his book The City of God. His book soon became a staple for Christians all over, as it greatly influenced Christian philosophy and the development of Christianity in Western Civilization. The City of God is full of sophisticated passages that challenged readers and their beliefs. …show more content…
Augustine defined Rome as a non-ideal political state because it lacked justice. Augustine explains that other cultures believe that evil will ruin a city as well. In Book Four, Chapter Two, he uses an excerpt from Apuleius’ book De Mundo that says, “all earthly things are subject to change, overthrow, and destruction”. The destruction comes from injustice. Later on in Chapter Four, Augustine compares the lack of justice within a city to a robbery. Therefore, a city cannot survive without some sort of judicial support. In Book 13, Augustine relates to Hebrew Culture and how the Hebrew God deals with justice. He uses the example of Adam eating the forbidden fruit. In Chapter 15, Augustine paraphrases scripture to explain that if Adam disobeys God and eats the fruit, God will desert him in justice. Ultimately, justice is received by obedience to God. Augustine appropriates two stories in Roman culture. One of them shows obedience, which would earn justice, while the other one does not. Regulus was obedient and accepted death. On the other hand, the virgins committed suicide even though their life was still valued. Although, both examples result in death only one of them was obedient. Augustine encourages obedience in God to seek justice. If a population is obedient and earns justice, they form a Heavenly …show more content…
St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, challenged his readers by his unique viewpoints. He challenges readers to pick either The Worldly City or The Heavenly City. Also, he advises his readers to obey God and avoid worldly, materialistic items. By appropriating Greek, Roman, and Hebrew cultures Augustine relates to society. Augustine believes that creation was initiated by God, and in the big picture the fall of Rome is irrelevant. To him, the only true thing humanity should strive for is The Heavenly City to seek salvation from