Christ and the Just Society in the Thought of Augustine [Hardcover]

A new account of Augustine's political thought and ethics in relation to his theology.This is the first scholarly book in English for thirty years to consider Augustine's political thought and ethics in relation to his theology. It expands on earlier accounts of Augustine's political thought by focusing on the role of grace and the Bible, which Augustine saw as contributing to the soul's growth in virtue, leading him to revise the ancient concepts of heroism and the statesman. This book will be essential reading for scholars of Augustine, Christian theology, late Roman antiquity, the history of western political thought, and political ethics.This is the first scholarly book in English for thirty years to consider Augustine's political thought and ethics in relation to his theology. It expands on earlier accounts of Augustine's political thought by focusing on the role of grace and the Bible, which Augustine saw as contributing to the soul's growth in virtue, leading him to revise the ancient concepts of heroism and the statesman. This book will be essential reading for scholars of Augustine, Christian theology, late Roman antiquity, the history of western political thought, and political ethics.Considering Augustine's political thought and ethics in relation to his theology, this book expands on earlier works by Augustine. It focuses on the role of grace and the Bible, which Augustine saw as contributing to the soul's growth in virtue, leading him to revise the ancient concepts of heroism and the statesman. The volume will be essential reading for scholars of Augustine, Christian theology, late Roman antiquity, the history of Western political thought, and political ethics.1. Eloquence and virtue in Cicero's statesman; 2. Justice and the limits of the soul; 3. Christ and the formation of the just society; 4. Divine eloquence and virtue in the scriptures; 5. Wisdom's hidden reasons; 6. Eloquence and virtue in Augustine's statesman. Christ and the Just Society in thlsˆ