Episode 10: The City of God: A User’s Guide for the End of Civilization

Hot Takes on the Classics

Description

In this episode of Hot Takes on the Classics, Tim McIntosh and Emily Maeda explore St. Augustine’s monumental work, City of God. Written in response to the Visigoth sack of Rome in 410 AD, this profound text examines the relationship between the City of Man and the City of God, offering reflections on war, virtue, and the Christian response to suffering. Emily’s hot take reframes Augustine as an early advocate for justice and equality, sparking a lively discussion about his enduring influence on Western thought.

Show Guide

00:00 Opening Quote from City of God and Episode Introduction

01:09 The Sack of Rome and Its Historical Significance

03:42 Augustine’s Views on Actors and Civic Virtue

06:35 Who Was Augustine? A Biographical Overview

10:23 Augustine’s Intellectual Journey: From Manichaeism to Christianity

13:20 The Scope of City of God: Theology, Philosophy, and Just War Theory

18:08 Augustine’s Response to Pagan Critics and Christian Doubters

22:10 The End of Honor Culture: Augustine on Women and Purity

28:12 The Rape of the Sabine Women and the Foundations of Roman Violence

31:29 The City of Man vs. the City of God: Augustine’s Vision

33:30 Emily’s Hot Take: Augustine as a “Woke” Philosopher

41:02 Closing Remarks and Teaser for Upcoming Episodes

Key Topics & Takeaways

• The City of God vs. The City of Man: Augustine contrasts the eternal city, characterized by humility and peace, with the temporal city, marked by pride and ambition.
• Just War Theory: Augustine introduces the foundations of just war, grappling with the ethics of violence and the role of Christian soldiers.
• Defending the Faith: Augustine rebuts pagan claims that Christianity caused Rome’s downfall, using history, rhetoric, and theology to dismantle their arguments.
• Raising the Status of Women: Augustine’s revolutionary stance on women’s honor challenges Roman values, laying the groundwork for modern ideas of equality.
• Critique of Empire: Augustine critiques Rome’s imperial ambition, arguing that smaller, peaceful nations are preferable to empires built on constant warfare.

Questions & Discussion

• What does Augustine mean by the City of Man and the City of God?
  Discuss the implications of Augustine’s dual framework for understanding human society and divine order.
• How does Augustine’s background shape his views in City of God?
  Reflect on how his journey from a Romanized African upbringing to a Christian bishop informs his critiques of Rome and its values.
• What is the relevance of City of God to modern discussions of war and justice?
  Explore Augustine’s contributions to just war theory and how they inform ethical debates today.
• Why does Augustine reject Rome’s honor culture?
  Analyze his defense of women’s dignity and his critique of Roman violence as incompatible with Christian values.

Suggested Reading

• City of God by St. Augustine