The City Of God, By St. Augustine

During the major growth period of the Christian church in the 13th and 14th centuries, there were several figures that helped the church prosper. One important man, St. Augustine, is considered one of the few “Doctors of the Church,” a title given to those whose teachings had incredible influence. While a bishop, St. Augustine wrote The City of God, in order to enlighten those who perceived the empire’s conversion as a punishment, explaining two cities known as the earthly and heavenly city (Feduccia Jr., Wagner). He discusses the earthly city divided against it, and this idea can be seen in today’s society. Also, Pope Francis’ vision of today’s changing views of living out a holy life reflects St. Augustine’s views discussed in his book.

Augustine discussed in his book. People on earth create wars in order to have peace, fight injustice with justice, but with the wrong reasons, and sin because they do not live a life of holiness. In history, wars have been fought in almost every decade, either on a large or small scale. Although some may consider wars an affective solution in order to solve major problems, there is always one side that suffers. After World War I, the side that won against Germany punished the Germans so extremely that there was nothing left of the country, forcing them to find another way to survive. Thus, leading to World War II, damaging more cities and killing millions of people. If the winning side had not been so harsh, World War II could have possibly not occurred. Wars do not achieve peace, it causes more harm and destruction to both sides, and they are mostly caused by greed of power, wealth, or differences of opinion. Thus, St, Augustine stressed the consequences of war, as it is not an act of justice, rather of sin. Wars are often started because people see injustice, so they try to achieve justice with violence. This act does not help those who face injustice; it rather hurts more people than before. If people do face injustice, they must speak out but only with the right intentions, and practice it through a holy manner. Only those who live a holy life can fully understand and see that

Augustine provides an answer: to seek a life of holiness. Thus, a person can better enjoy heaven, even in today’s society. Instead of just going to church, a person can live more holy through performing service for those in need, especially since the number of increasing impoverished countries is astounding, “The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that nearly 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or one in eight, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012” (2013 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics by World Hunger Education Service). One influential man who is changing the concept of service is the new Pope Francis, as he is reaching out to the laymen and women everyday in a different way than before. He is going out and performing service, influencing the public, connecting with the everyday people, commenting on who is allowed into the church, and his views on the papacy. For him, Pope Francis believes that in order to live a holy life, one must go out and do the work of God, not just sit in a church and pray for them (Allen). He proves that everyone can live a holy life is all people go out and do the work of