In the wake of the Vandals’ sack of Rome, St. Augustine authored City of God, a seminal work delineating his two-cities doctrine. This doctrine separates the earthly city from the City of God, reflecting a profound understanding of the interplay between church and state. Augustine acknowledged the divinely appointed role of the state to assist humanity, yet he was acutely aware of its inherent corruption.

The Earthly City: A Realm of Corruption

In Book IV of City of God, Augustine presents a stark view of earthly political realms. He argues that without justice, kingdoms are merely large-scale robberies. He writes:

Justice being taken away, then, what are kingdoms but great robberies? For what are robberies themselves, but little kingdoms? The band itself is made up of men; it is ruled by the authority of a prince, it is knit together by the pact of the confederacy; the booty is divided by the law agreed on. If, by the admittance of abandoned men, this evil increases to such a degree that it holds places, fixes abodes, takes possession of cities, and subdues peoples, it assumes the more plainly the name of a kingdom, because the reality is now manifestly conferred on it, not by the removal of covetousness, but by the addition of impunity.

Augustine highlights the parallel between bands of robbers and kingdoms, emphasizing that the latter’s legitimacy is a result of scale and impunity, not moral superiority. This view reflects his resignation to the reality that earthly jurisdictions will always be plagued by corruption and greed.

The City of God: A Divine Aspiration

Despite his critical view of earthly cities, Augustine does not dismiss their role entirely. He acknowledges that the earthly city has a purpose, albeit distinct from the City of God. He explains that the two cities cannot share common religious laws, necessitating a separation that often leads to conflict and persecution:

…it has come to pass that the two cities could not have common laws of religion, and that the heavenly city has been compelled in this matter to dissent, and to become obnoxious to those who think differently, and to stand the brunt of their anger and hatred and persecutions…

For Augustine, the City of God represents a spiritual reality where true citizenship is determined individually, based on one’s relationship with God. This city transcends earthly governance and is characterized by divine justice and peace.

The Christian’s Role in the Earthly City

Augustine’s doctrine underscores the duality of Christian existence: we are in the world, but not of it. Christians are called to respect earthly authorities but must prioritize their allegiance to the City of God. This means evangelizing through personal witness and moral integrity rather than coercive power.

Augustine’s perspective offers a timeless framework for navigating the complexities of faith and politics. It reminds us that while we engage with the earthly city, our ultimate aspiration is the City of God, where justice and righteousness truly reign.

Conclusion

St. Augustine’s two-cities doctrine provides a critical lens through which to view the relationship between church and state. It calls for a balance between respecting earthly authorities and maintaining a steadfast commitment to the principles of the City of God. In doing so, Augustine’s teachings continue to resonate, offering guidance for Christians navigating the challenges of contemporary society.