Christ and the Just Society in the Thought of Augustine

Christ and the Just Society in the Thought of Augustine is a fresh study of Augustine’s political thought and ethics in relation to his theology. The book examines fundamental issues in Augustine’s theological and political ethics in relation to the question, ‘how did Augustine conceive the just society’? At the heart of the book’s approach is the relationship that Augustine outlines in his City of God and other writings between Christ and those believers who acknowledge him to be the only source of the soul’s virtue. The book demonstrates how Augustine sees Christ’s grace and the scriptures contributing to the soul’s growth in virtue, especially as these issues are framed by the Pelagian controversy. Finally, the implications which Augustine sees for Christ’s mediation of virtue are examined in relation to his revision of the ancient concepts of heroism and the statesman.

• The first book-length study to relate Augustine’s political thought to his broader theological views • The first scholarly re-examination of Augustine’s political thought and ethics in English in 30 years • A new scholarly treatment of Augustine’s classic City of God

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.

‘…takes us on a fascinating scholarly journey through this and other sources … meticulous analysis …‘ Church Times

‘… extremely well researched … this is a work of historical theology where, happily, meticulously researched history does not drive out a nuanced theological reading.‘ Themelios

\'This is a work of historical theology where, happily, meticulously researched history does not drive out a nuanced theological reading.\' European Journal of Theology

\'Through his meticulous contextualisation of Augustine\'s political thought, Dodaro has opened the way for a fresh appreciation of Augustine\'s contribution to the formation of western social institutions.\' Studies in Religion