St. Augustine

Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), a theologian and philosopher, made significant contributions to Western political philosophy, particularly through his seminal work "The City of God." Augustine's political thought emerged partly in response to the decline of the Roman Empire and the search for stability in a tumultuous time.

Here are key aspects of Augustine's political philosophy:

1. Two Cities: Augustine conceptualizes the existence of two "cities," the City of God (civitas Dei) and the Earthly City (civitas terrena). The City of God is characterized by people who forego earthly pleasures to dedicate themselves to the eternal truths of the Christian faith, while the Earthly City consists of people who pursue earthly peace and material comforts. The two cities are not literal places but represent two types of individuals and communities characterized by their ultimate loves—love of God versus love of self.

2. Human Sinfulness and the State: Augustine views the state as a product of human sinfulness. In his view, a political state is necessary due to the Fall of Man, which introduced sin and disorder into human relations. The state's role, therefore, is to maintain order and peace, albeit imperfectly, in a world marred by human sin.

Here is an allegorical image that illustrates Saint Augustine's concept of human sinfulness and the state. The artwork reflects the stark contrast between the turmoil of the Earthly City and the peace of the City of God, separated by a river that symbolizes the divide between human sin and divine grace.

1. The Role of Government: For Augustine, the government's role is to maintain peace and order. It is an institution that can do good by preserving the earthly peace, but it is not the ultimate solution to human problems, which can only be resolved by God.

2. Relative Justice: Augustine does not expect perfect justice in the Earthly City. Instead, he believes that justice in human societies is relative and limited. The perfect justice is found only in the City of God.

3. Divine Sovereignty: Augustine emphasizes that all authority comes from God, and thus rulers should govern in accordance with divine law. Leaders are responsible to God and should aim to reflect divine virtues in their governance.

4. Christianity and Citizenship: Augustine advocates for Christians to be good citizens, respecting earthly laws and authorities, but to do so understanding that their ultimate allegiance is to God. He also believes that the welfare of the City of God is ultimately independent of the earthly political order.

5. Pacifism and Just War: While Augustine is often associated with the development of the Just War Theory, recognizing the need for war under certain conditions, he also possesses a deep-seated respect for peace. He struggles with the tension between the desire for peace and the reality of the political world where sometimes force is necessary to maintain order and justice.

Augustine's political philosophy reflects his Christian worldview, with a focus on the transient nature of earthly life and politics in comparison to the eternal nature of the Christian life. His ideas have influenced numerous political theorists and remain relevant in discussions about the role of religion in politics, the nature of the state, and the quest for justice.

This visual represents the concept of Divine Sovereignty as interpreted from Saint Augustine's philosophy, depicting a divine throne and the relationship between celestial and earthly authority.

The Concept of Divine Sovereignty

Divine sovereignty, as discussed by Saint Augustine, particularly in "The City of God," refers to the idea that God is the supreme authority over all creation, including human affairs and political realms. For Augustine, all power and authority on earth derive from God, who is the ultimate ruler. This concept has several important implications in Augustine's thought:

1. Legitimacy of Earthly Rulers: Earthly rulers, in Augustine's view, are only legitimate insofar as they acknowledge that their power comes from God. They are to govern as stewards of God's authority, and their laws should be in alignment with divine law.

2. Moral Order: Divine sovereignty means that there is a moral order to the universe established by God. Earthly justice is a reflection, however imperfect, of this divine order. Human laws should aspire to reflect God's justice, and when they do, they have real authority.

3. Temporal vs. Eternal: While earthly governments have authority over temporal matters, their authority is not absolute. The eternal truths of God's kingdom take precedence over any earthly rule. This introduces a dual allegiance for Christians, who must navigate their duties as citizens with their duties as believers.

4. Providence and History: Augustine sees the hand of divine providence working through history. The rise and fall of empires are part of a divine plan that ultimately serves the purpose of God's will, even if this purpose is not immediately evident to human beings.

5. Peace and Order: The purpose of government, under divine sovereignty, is to maintain peace and order in the earthly city. However, true peace is only found in the City of God. Earthly peace is a reflection of the higher peace offered by a life aligned with God's will.

6. Humility of Power: Those in power should be humble, recognizing that their authority is granted by God and that they are accountable to Him for how they use their power. This is in stark contrast to the more hubristic, self-aggrandizing rulers who view power as an end in itself.

Divine sovereignty in Augustine's thought serves as a reminder of the limitations of human authority and the transitory nature of all earthly kingdoms compared to the eternal kingdom of God. It is a call for rulers to recognize their position under God and for citizens to understand the ultimate source of true justice and authority.