Early Church · 426

The City of God: Books 11 to 22

Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

The final twelve books unfold Augustine’s vision of two cities, one built on love of God to contempt of self, the other on love of self to contempt of God. Moving from the creation of angels and the origin of evil through the long sweep of sacred history, Augustine closes with the last judgment, eternal punishment, and the everlasting blessedness of the redeemed. City of God shaped Christian thought on providence, history, and the relationship between church and state for over a millennium.

22 hrs total · 12 chapters