How to read Augustine

[John Nyberg]

This question is for those familiar with The City of God, or Augustine in general. I have tried to read CoG a few times, and found each reading quite difficult. I have not found him boring, per se but I have always become too busy to continue reading, forgotten all that I read before, then began at the beginning to catch back up. Being that it has sat on my shelf for several years, and I have only gotten through the first few hundred pages, I am turning to y’all for advice. Are there certain sections that are essential, as compared to other sections? Are there any commentaries that might help the modern reader engage with or appreciate Augustine more? Are there sections of CoG that the puritans or reformers especially quoted or appreciated? Thanks in advance!

 

[paranymph]

I used this. It may help:

https://paideiacenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Paideia-Center-Leadership-Guide-The-City-of-God.pdf

 

[John Nyberg]

I used this. It may help:

https://paideiacenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Paideia-Center-Leadership-Guide-The-City-of-God.pdf

That outline looks very helpful. I think 3-4 books a month is definitely manageable. Thank you, Pastor Drew.

 

[SolaScriptura]

How to read Augustine - I suggest go left to right, from top to bottom.

 

[John Nyberg]

How to read Augustine - I suggest go left to right, from top to bottom.

Pastor Ben, as a U.S. Marine, I appreciate the simple, straight forward instructions. Which flavor crayon should I use to highlight?

 

[SolaScriptura]

Pastor Ben, as a U.S. Marine, I appreciate the simple, straight forward instructions. Which flavor crayon should I use to highlight?

I heard that red tastes like cherry.

 

[RamistThomist]

The first 8 books or so of CoG are pretty good. It gets really challenging after Book 10. The material isn't particularly difficult, but Augustine's allegorical readings often strain credulity. And he isn't always a good writer. I recommend something like the Teaching Company's course on City of God.

 

[MW]

I used this. It may help:

https://paideiacenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Paideia-Center-Leadership-Guide-The-City-of-God.pdf

Looks like a useful guide. Months might want to be reduced to weeks, else one might lose the flow.

 

[John Nyberg]

The first 8 books or so of CoG are pretty good. It gets really challenging after Book 10. The material isn't particularly difficult, but Augustine's allegorical readings often strain credulity. And he isn't always a good writer. I recommend something like the Teaching Company's course on City of God.

Is This course the one you are referring to, Jacob?

 

[EmilyF]

Oh dear. I was hoping to start this at some point soon and now I'm intimidated!

 

[RamistThomist]

Is This course the one you are referring to, Jacob?

Yes. Some library streaming services carry it, so I would check there.

Oh dear. I was hoping to start this at some point soon and now I'm intimidated!

Don't be. The first half is quite interesting. Read 20-50 pages a day over several months and it's manageable.

 

[RamistThomist]

I did some brief summary notes years ago.

Outline of City of God, Books 1-10

Books 1-4 deconstruct the Roman civic theology narrative that the evils came upon Rome because the people abandoned the Roman gods for Christ. Augustine points out that by Roman standards, the Roma…

tentsofshem.wordpress.com

Outline of City of God, Book 11

Key ideas: God creates the world AND time. He does not create in time. Propositions: God speaks by truth in the mind (11.2).Time was created with the world. This one idea is crucial in the history …

tentsofshem.wordpress.com

 

[SojourningSøren]

It took me nearly a full year to get through the whole thing, but it was absolutely worth it. It sits on my bookshelf to my left even right now. If nothing else, I learned more about Roman cosmology in the first half of the book than I ever did at any other point in time.

I’d just say what others in here have said; don’t rush, don’t skim or skip. Reread a page if it’s needed. I found the greatest struggle I had reading this was my lack of patience; I had to develop that along the way, but it was well worth it.