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his death. Nonetheless Constantine’s Edict of Milan in 313, which ended persecution

and granted tolerance, was a decisive moment for Christians. Churches were built
and the infrastructure of bishops was established, mapped onto the infrastructure of
the empire. Constantine was keen to intertwine the Christian church with the
imperial government of Rome. This included a network of Christian bishops in Roman
towns and cities, including the bishops of Rome, who in later centuries became the
Popes. They had a special place from the start. As well as being the capital of the
empire Rome was where the Christian founders St Peter and St Paul had been
martyred. In 380 Emperor Theodosius I made Christianity Rome’s official and only

religion, but it must have seemed ironic to Christians that in this moment of triumph
Rome itself was entering its terminal phase. Explaining this to the Christian
community was Augustine’s motive for writing the “City of God”.

What did “The City of God” say?
The “City of God” is not a straightforward book. It blends theology, Bible study,
history and political theory. Its key messages are:

1. Christians are not to blame for the decline of Rome. Rome had troubles
throughout its history. Rome’s basic problem is that for centuries it was not
based on the only sound foundation for a state, faith in the Christian God.
2. Christians should not despair at Rome’s decline, even if it falls. They represent
the Heavenly City, the City God. They alone live in the true faith. God will
protect them and grant them eternal life. This life is merely a passage to the
eternal life that is the true meaning of things for Christians.
3. The Heavenly City – the community of Christians and the church – is therefore

obviously superior to the earthly city – the realm of government and the
authorities who keep order and provide for people’s earthly needs.
4. Although Christians benefit from the earthly city, through the peace, order and
services it provides, in itself it has no value for them. Its only purpose is to
enable and support the existence of the Heavenly City which alone has
meaning and purpose, i.e. faith and joy in God and eternal life.

5. Those who live only for the earthly city miss the point of life. This is why Rome
is in trouble. Its rulers have been too devoted to earthly power, earthly success
and earthly rewards. Their pride in their achievements is misguided and empty.
God alone is the source of all joy and meaning. Only those who dwell in the
Heavenly City understand this.

In a nutshell, Augustine asserts the overwhelming superiority of the Christian life and
the primacy of the Heavenly City. His book seems almost to denigrate the “earthly
city”. If empires like Rome crumble, it doesn’t matter. Christians have a higher