For here we do not have an enduring city, but we look forward to the city that is to come.  – Hebrews 13:14

In A.D. 410, the Vandals, under the leadership of their king, Alaric, laid siege to the Eternal City. Rome (capital of the Roman Empire) acquired that title because it had existed as a republic for nearly 500 years, and most people felt that it was so powerful, so established, so dominant, that it could never be defeated. It could be shaken, and its frontiers might be breached, but no army would ever march through the city gates. The year 410 shook this belief to its foundations and ultimately led to the collapse of the empire itself. To many Romans, the world itself seemed to be coming unhinged. Even Christians wondered what might become of their faith without the establishment of the empire to undergird it. Many in Rome were seeking answers about what to do and what to believe in. The few pagans who remained loyal to the pantheon of Roman gods were quick to blame the Christians, claiming that the gods had abandoned Rome because so many Romans had forsaken them and placed their hope and aspirations in the new religion.

To these pagans, Christianity had become a by-word, since the gods had clearly allowed for the defeat of Rome as punishment (or the Christian god had proven to be very weak). After all, the Emperor Constantine had declared the God of Christianity to be the only true God a century earlier. If this were true, why had he not protected Rome as the Roman gods had done so well for so many centuries? Was it not true that Christ-followers advocated peace over war, love over hate? Did they not teach that it was more important to serve God than to serve the republic? Were they not quick to forgive enemies rather than smite them? The angry wrangling between the two communities prompted Augustine, the bishop of the great African city of Hippo, to begin writing his classic work, The City of God, in 413.

It is not within the scope of my Jym Shorts article to evaluate Augustine’s entire work, but as an overview we can say that Augustine broke down his argument into twenty-two “books” (we might call them “chapters” today). Methodically, yet precisely, Augustine presented his argument that Rome had not been successful because of its pagan past, rather, it was God’s will to prosper the empire for the sake of his future plans and for his glory. In so doing, he attacked the practice of worshipping false gods and demonstrated the futility in doing so.

By the time Augustine reached book ten, he was ready to begin his discussion of the difference between his “two cities,” the city of God and the city of man (or the heavenly city and the earthly city). For the rest of his work, Augustine demonstrated God’s activity in creation, his work in the history of Israel and the nations, right up to what he viewed as the end times, and his sovereign plan for humanity. His final assessment was that the church is a divinely established institution that leads humankind to eternal goodness, which is found only in God. The state (in this case, the Roman Republic) adheres to the virtues of politics and of the mind, formulating a political community. Although Augustine felt that both of these institutions seek to do good and are part of God’s plan, behind the scenes are two invisible institutions: the “city of heaven” reserved for those who are saved (and who will be saved), and the city of man, for those who are not (and will not) be saved. Through it all, Augustine attempted to demonstrate God’s justice and called on all people to pursue God and the heavenly city for the betterment of human society, and for a lasting peace.

So, why write about such an old book in my article? Because it mirrors so closely what is occurring in our own nation today. Tensions are clearly rising between those within the church and those without, leading to many accusations and, in some cases, to violence. What is needed is not more anger and angst but a realization that God is still in control. We may feel that the very fiber of our nation is stretching to the breaking point, but nothing is taking place that God has not ordained, and everything is working toward the conclusion he has firmly established. There is nothing that humankind can do to change that reality. Our call has not changed—to seek peace whenever it is possible, to love others (including our “enemies”), and to remain loyal to the city of God. We are to do so even to the exclusion, if necessary, of the city of man.

Brothers and sisters, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who are within the family of God (Gal. 6:10). This is our clear biblical mandate. We will not advance the city of God unless we live like people who are no longer motivated by the city of man.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jym

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