Augustine
...ation: “Why was their empire subjected to so many catastrophes?” (XIV-City of God) He replied to the question by explaining how the decline of Rome was part of a plan that God made to prepare the world for a divine kingdom on earth, however if the city fell, Augustine believed that it was better for the human race. He also supported his argument in his first ten books of the City of God as he attacked Greco- Roman philosophies and religions. Augustine was able to elaborate on his view of world history, which was based on Hebrew experience and Christian sources in his concluding twelve books of his work. The two cities in history that he was able to elaborate his argument of these philosophies were The City of God, and also The City of Man. Augustine’s main argument of The City of God was that they were “predestined” to be saved, whereas the City of Man were condemned of hell. Because of this, Augustine was able to predict that the future will eventually expose the nature of the cities. For example, The City of Man was looked at more in a negative manner and that it would be destroyed, however The City of God was more positive and the Christians would be sent to heaven. The Christians would also be considered saved and they would enjoy an eternal happiness that “paganism” promised but could not deliver. Because of Augustine’s views on history, his fame for his written work raised and he was venerated by the Christians as the supreme authority on every major theological issue. Another one of Augustine’s greatest works was the Confessions. This religious work was basically in search of intellectual and spiritual solace. The story portrays himself of living a sinful and sensual life, and he then came to believe that studying the Greco-Roman philosophy , literature, and religion would help him search for the ultimate truths. After reading a piece from Paul from the Bible, it directed him to arm himself with Christ. Augustine was then able to feel confident about himself and wrote, “The light of confidence flooded into my heart and all the darkness of doubt was dispelled.” (Augustine, Confessions pg. 176) This showed that Augustine was now confident with his faith, and adapted hims...