{"product_id":"the-essential-city-of-god-a-reader-and-commentary-paperback","title":"The Essential City of God: A Reader and Commentary - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eGregory W. Lee\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAugustine is the most influential thinker of Western Christianity, and \u003ci\u003eCity of God\u003c\/i\u003e is arguably his greatest work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter the sack of Rome in 410, many Romans despaired about the future of the empire. Critics of Christianity blamed the devastation on the empire's conversion to the faith. \u003ci\u003eCity of God\u003c\/i\u003e is Augustine's monumental response to these challenges, developed through analysis of Roman society, engagement with classical philosophy, and extended commentary on Scripture. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese sprawling discussions yield Augustine's theology of the two cities, according to which all people are divided into two communities according to their ultimate loves, whether of God or of self. Christians are called to love eternal goods over temporal goods even as they seek the peace of the earthly city.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe length and complexity of \u003ci\u003eCity of God\u003c\/i\u003e make its argument difficult to follow, even for specialists. This resource abridges Augustine's work and makes it accessible for a wide readership. The selections focus on his social and political thought while indicating the larger shape of his work. They are accompanied by explanatory notes, essays on critical and complex topics, and an outline of the entire text. These aids will enable readers to experience Augustine's work for themselves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Essential \"City of God\"\u003c\/i\u003e retrieves ancient wisdom for the modern world, offering an enduring vision for faithfulness and hope in times of social instability.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Lee has curated the best anthology of \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCity of God\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e that exists\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eCity of God\u003c\/i\u003e is Augustine's fullest treatment of church and society. This abridged edition includes commentary, essays, and other resources for readers to discover his work anew.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"An incredible resource. Lee has curated the best anthology of \u003ci\u003eCity of God\u003c\/i\u003e that exists, surrounded the primary readings with incredibly helpful notes and commentary, and left room for readers to wrestle with Augustine for themselves.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eJames K. A. Smith\u003c\/b\u003e, Calvin University\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eThe Essential 'City of God'\u003c\/i\u003e provides readers with the tools to approach this incandescent-if-intimidating work with confidence. This book is bound to become a must-read for Augustine afficionados and newcomers to his oeuvre alike.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eMaria E. Doerfler\u003c\/b\u003e, Yale University\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Lee has provided modern readers with an invaluable guide that will explain Augustine's social and intellectual context.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eJ. Warren Smith\u003c\/b\u003e, Duke Divinity School\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Lee is an eminently trustworthy guide. His judicious selections combined with his superb introduction, annotations, and essays on vexed topics represent the ideal starting point for engaging this greatest work of one of history's greatest authors.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eHan-luen Kantzer Komline\u003c\/b\u003e, Western Theological Seminary\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Lee's selection of passages from Augustine's masterpiece, \u003ci\u003eCity of God\u003c\/i\u003e, together with Lee's own astute commentary on those passages, makes for an exceptional work for students and interested general readers. Highly recommended.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eCharles Mathewes\u003c\/b\u003e, University of Virginia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Augustine notes that his \u003ci\u003eCity of God\u003c\/i\u003e is the result of 'great and arduous labor.' As anyone who has tried to read it knows, that can describe the reader's experience too. For those daunted by the prospect, Lee has created this intelligently abbreviated edition.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eJohn C. Cavadini\u003c\/b\u003e, University of Notre Dame\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Augustine desperately needs not just an editor but a wingman--someone to track his flight as he deep dives into cultural critique, metaphysical speculation, exegetical acrobatics, and otherworldly musings. Lee, one of the best of the new generation of political theologians, offers readers a framework for reading \u003ci\u003eCity of God\u003c\/i\u003e.\"\u003cbr\u003e--\u003cb\u003eJames Wetzel\u003c\/b\u003e, Villanova University\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGregory W. Lee\u003c\/b\u003e (PhD, Duke University) is associate professor of theology and urban studies at Wheaton College (Illinois) and senior fellow for The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies. He is the author of \u003ci\u003eToday When You Hear His Voice: Scripture, the Covenants, and the People of God\u003c\/i\u003e and several articles on Augustine. He also serves as teaching pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 464\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.2 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 01, 2025\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47378041438457,"sku":"9781540967107","price":43.18,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0789\/2782\/3097\/files\/b-GaF3FWao9781540967107.webp?v=1770039240","url":"https:\/\/bookscloud.io\/products\/the-essential-city-of-god-a-reader-and-commentary-paperback","provider":"BooksCloud Book Dropshipping","version":"1.0","type":"link"}