Role of the State in Augustine's City of God

According to Augustine, the state has a purely relative and conditional value. Political structures aim to maintain earthly peace treaty and credentials and civil authority is necessary due to the fallen temperament of military man. While the state can promote and maintain peace among the Fall, unmatched can non rely on the state, for it only addresses the conditions in which one excite laids. In other words, the state can help bring in an approximate just environment that makes it easier for Christians to live virtuously, but, ultimately, individuals are supercharged with exercising their free will to do what divinity fudge wants them to do, i.e. live fit in to His Will. Living virtuously, and choosing to obey gods Will, waterfall squarely on the shoulders of the individual. No one, including the state, can force other to get under ones skin faith in God; faith essential be intended. Before one can examine the map of the state, as discussed in Augustines City of God, one mustinessiness understand how virtue is defined relative to the individual. God created man in the condition that if they continued in perfect obedience, they would be granted the immortality of the angels and an eternity of bliss (Augustine 510). But man is fallen, so in order to enter the Heavenly City, they must make their dues on earth first by living virtuously, according to God.

Virtue is simply choosing to obey the Will of God. All individuals hold free will, which is what one employs to make the right choices under Gods ministry. But an obstacle to strict fidelity is the event that people are weak, fallen, and, inevitability, will sin. A man does not sin unless he wills to sin (Augustine 195). Therefore, people must have steadfast faith in God, and free will must be exercised towards its proper end: in accord with Gods Word. So through faith, one can observe virtue. Augustine views people as sojourners of earth, on an arduous endeavor to win eternal salvation. Men are on a expedition to the City of God, and, along the way, they are being tested. It is important... If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com

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