Augustine City of God Outline

/ By / Augustine, history, philosophy, politics, theology / 11 minutes of reading

Quare Studere?

This Augustine City of God Outline was created because (in this dopamine-distracted age of social media) I needed a structured and disciplined way to tackle the important goal of reading this long and historically influential book.

Augustine’s City of God (De civitate Dei contra paganos – The City of God Against the Pagans) is a monumental work of Christian philosophy written in Latin in the early 5th century. (I’m using the 1887 English translation by Rev. Marcus Dods, available as a free eBook from Monergism.)

The Latin phrase “Quare studere?” can be translated “Why study?”

St. Augustine: The Man Who Shaped Western Thought

Here’s a 6 minute introduction to Augustine of Hippo, the North African philosopher and theologian whose ideas are foundational to historic western worldviews. (Podcast created with GenSpark on 20-July-2025)

Why Study The City of God?

Modern readers should dive into St. Augustine’s City of God because it tackles timeless questions about faith, morality, and the tension between spiritual and secular life, offering profound insights for today’s polarized world. This book provides a roadmap to navigate modern dilemmas like political division, moral relativism, and the search for meaning in a materialistic society. Its exploration of divine justice, the role of suffering, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil resonates with anyone grappling with the chaos of contemporary life, while its historical and philosophical depth challenges you to rethink the foundations of civilization itself.

A 10-Month Augustine City of God Outline

This outline provides a helpful study guide for breaking the reading of St. Augustine’s City of God into 10 manageable chunks. I’m using this outline for a 10-month study with my men’s group at Grace Presbyterian Church in Dearborn. It can also be used as a 10-week study schedule for an intensive Sunday School, college summer course, or other accelerated program.

Central Theme of St. Augustine’s City of God

The central theme of St. Augustine’s City of God is the contrast between two cities: the City of God, representing those who live according to God’s will and seek eternal life with God, and the City of Man, characterized by earthly desires and temporal pursuits. Augustine explores the relationship between Christianity and the secular world, arguing that history is guided by divine providence and that true fulfillment is found in the spiritual realm, not in earthly power or institutions. Written in response to the fall of Rome in 410 AD, the work defends Christianity against pagan criticisms and articulates a theology of history, emphasizing the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom over human societies driven by pride and sin.

Table Of Contents
  1. Quare Studere?
  2. St. Augustine: The Man Who Shaped Western Thought
  3. Why Study The City of God?
  4. A 10-Month Augustine City of God Outline
  5. Central Theme of St. Augustine's City of God
  6. Easy Links – Augustine City of God Outline
  7. Month 1 – Historical Context and Introduction (Books 1–2)
  8. Month 2 – Refuting Paganism, Part I (Books 3–5)
  9. Month 3 – Refuting Paganism, Part II (Books 6–8)
  10. Month 4 – Refuting Paganism, Part III (Books 9–10)
  11. Month 5 – Origins of the Two Cities (Books 11–13)
  12. Month 6 – Development of the Two Cities, Part I (Books 14–15)
  13. Month 7 – Development of the Two Cities, Part II (Books 16–17)
  14. Month 8 – Development of the Two Cities, Part III (Book 18)
  15. Month 9 – Destinies of the Two Cities, Part I (Books 19–20)
  16. Month 10 – Destinies of the Two Cities, Part II (Books 21–22) and Wrap-Up
  17. Tips For Using the Augustine City of God Outline
  18. Possible Improvements To This Outline
  19. Curiositates Iucundae
  20. Related Links and Resources
Cover art for the Augustine City of God Outline. A loose, flowing watercolor portrait depicts St. Augustine, an elderly man with a long, flowing white beard and thoughtful, gentle eyes. He is seated, holding a weathered leather-bound book displaying the title City of God clearly visible on its cover, his fingers resting lightly on the pages. Behind him, a softly blurred panorama of an ancient North African city with terracotta rooftops and winding alleyways stretches into the distance, bathed in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun. The overall composition evokes a sense of historical reverence and contemplative wisdom, with a muted color palette typical of watercolor artistry.
An imaginative portrait of St. Augustine, holding a copy of his magnum opus, The City of God. Digital art by Doug Vos via Ideogram.

Month 1 – Historical Context and Introduction (Books 1–2)

Month 2 – Refuting Paganism, Part I (Books 3–5)

  • Goal: Understand Augustine’s defense of Christianity and critique of Roman history.
  • Reading:
    • Book 3: Further exploration of Rome’s historical calamities before Christianity.
    • Book 4: Critique of Roman gods and the concept of earthly empires.
    • Book 5: Divine providence in history, with a focus on the rise and fall of empires.
  • Activities:
    • Compare Augustine’s view of history with pagan historians like Livy or Tacitus.
    • Highlight key arguments: Why does Augustine argue that Rome’s gods failed to protect the city?
    • Journal: How does Augustine redefine “success” for Christians in a declining empire?
  • Supplementary:

Month 3 – Refuting Paganism, Part II (Books 6–8)

  • Goal: Dive into Augustine’s critique of pagan religion and philosophy.
  • Reading:
    • Book 6: Critique of pagan theology and rituals.
    • Book 7: Examination of “natural theology” and its shortcomings.
    • Book 8: Engagement with Platonist philosophy and its partial alignment with Christian truth.
  • Activities:
    • Study Augustine’s references to philosophers like Plato and Varro — how does he both appreciate and critique them?
    • Chart: Compare pagan and Christian views on the divine as presented by Augustine.
    • Journal: Why does Augustine see Platonism as the closest pagan philosophy to Christianity, yet still insufficient?
  • Supplementary: Read Plato’s Timaeus or a summary of Neoplatonism (e.g., Plotinus) to understand Augustine’s philosophical influences.

Month 4 – Refuting Paganism, Part III (Books 9–10)

  • Goal: Conclude Augustine’s refutation of paganism and transition to the two cities.
  • Reading:
    • Book 9: Critique of pagan demonology and mediation.
    • Book 10: True worship and the role of Christ as the only mediator to God.
  • Activities:
    • Analyze Augustine’s argument for Christ’s unique role versus pagan mediators (e.g., demons, angels).
    • Reflect: How does Augustine’s view of worship contrast with pagan practices?
    • Journal: What does Augustine mean by “true happiness,” and why can’t pagans achieve it?
  • Supplementary: Read a commentary on Augustine’s theology of mediation (e.g., R.W. Dyson’s introduction to City of God).

Month 5 – Origins of the Two Cities (Books 11–13)

  • Goal: Explore the theological origins of the City of God and City of Man.
  • Reading:
    • Book 11: Creation, the fall of angels, and the beginning of the two cities.
    • Book 12: The nature of angels, human creation, and the origins of evil.
    • Book 13: The fall of man, death, and the consequences of sin.
  • Activities:
    • Study Augustine’s interpretation of Genesis—how does he use it to frame the two cities?
    • Note key concepts: original sin, free will, and the role of pride in the fall.
    • Journal: How does Augustine’s view of evil as a privation of good shape his theology?
  • Supplementary: Read Genesis 1–3 and Augustine’s Confessions (Book 7) for his views on creation and evil.

Month 6 – Development of the Two Cities, Part I (Books 14–15)

  • Goal: Trace the early development of the two cities through biblical history.
  • Reading:
    • Book 14: The role of love (caritas vs. cupiditas) in defining the two cities, and the fall of Adam and Eve.
    • Book 15: The history of the two cities from Cain and Abel to the flood.
  • Activities:
    • Create a timeline of biblical figures (e.g., Cain, Abel, Seth, Noah) and their roles in the two cities.
    • Analyze: How does Augustine use Cain and Abel as archetypes for the City of Man and City of God?
    • Journal: How does Augustine’s concept of love as the defining factor of the cities apply to human motivations today?
  • Supplementary: Read Genesis 4–9 to contextualize Augustine’s interpretations.

Month 7 – Development of the Two Cities, Part II (Books 16–17)

  • Goal: Continue tracing the two cities through the patriarchs and prophets.
  • Reading:
    • Book 16: From Noah to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the early history of Israel.
    • Book 17: The history of the City of God through the prophets and the foreshadowing of Christ.
  • Activities:
    • Map the progression of the City of God through key figures like Abraham and Moses.
    • Reflect: How does Augustine interpret Old Testament events as pointing to Christ and the City of God?
    • Journal: What role do the prophets play in Augustine’s understanding of divine providence?
  • Supplementary: Read selections from the Old Testament (e.g., Genesis 12, Exodus 3) for context.

Month 8 – Development of the Two Cities, Part III (Book 18)

  • Goal: Examine the parallel histories of the two cities in secular and sacred contexts.
  • Reading:
    • Book 18: The history of the City of Man (e.g., Assyria, Egypt, Greece, Rome) alongside the City of God up to Christ’s coming.
  • Activities:
    • Compare Augustine’s treatment of secular history (e.g., Rome) with sacred history (e.g., Israel).
    • Note: How does Augustine see the City of Man as inherently unstable compared to the City of God?
    • Journal: How does Augustine’s view of history challenge modern secular interpretations of progress?
  • Supplementary: Read a history of the ancient Near East (e.g., The Ancient Near East: A Very Short Introduction by Amanda Podany).

Month 9 – Destinies of the Two Cities, Part I (Books 19–20)

  • Goal: Analyze Augustine’s vision of justice, peace, and the end times.
  • Reading:
    • Book 19: The concept of true peace and justice, unattainable in the City of Man.
    • Book 20: The last judgment and the role of scripture in understanding the end times.
  • Activities:
    • Study Augustine’s definition of peace in Book 19—how does it differ from earthly peace?
    • Reflect: How does Augustine’s view of the last judgment shape his eschatology?
    • Journal: What does Augustine mean by the “eternal peace” of the City of God, and how does it contrast with the City of Man’s conflicts?
  • Supplementary: Read Revelation 20–22 for Augustine’s scriptural basis on the end times.

Month 10 – Destinies of the Two Cities, Part II (Books 21–22) and Wrap-Up

  • Goal: Conclude with the eternal destinies of the two cities and reflect on the text as a whole.
  • Reading:
    • Book 21: The eternal punishment of the City of Man in hell.
    • Book 22: The eternal glory of the City of God in heaven, including the resurrection and beatific vision.
  • Activities:
    • Summarize Augustine’s vision of heaven—how does the beatific vision fulfill human longing?
    • Reflect: How does Augustine’s eschatology influence Christian thought on eternity?
    • Final Journal: What is the most impactful idea from City of God for understanding the tension between faith and worldly life today?
  • Wrap-Up:
    • Review your notes and charts on the two cities (origins, development, destinies).
    • Write a short essay or discussion post: How does City of God apply to modern debates on religion, politics, and morality?
  • Supplementary: Read a modern theological reflection on Augustine (e.g., Augustine Our Contemporary by Willemien Otten).

Tips For Using the Augustine City of God Outline

  • Pace Yourself: Aim for 2–3 books per month, reading a few chapters per week to avoid burnout.
  • Engage Actively: Keep a journal for reflections and questions after each book to deepen your understanding.
  • Group Study (Optional): If possible, discuss with a study group monthly to share insights—e.g., schedule a discussion on the 15th or 20th of each month.
  • Modern Connections: Each month, consider how Augustine’s ideas apply to today (e.g., the role of religion in politics, the pursuit of happiness in a secular world).
  • Resources: Use an annotated edition of City of God (e.g., translated by Henry Bettenson or R.W. Dyson) for helpful notes and context.

The 10-month plan, following the Augustine City of God Outline ensures a thorough and reflective study of the book, (adaptable for other timelines) balances reading with analysis and supplementary materials for a deep understanding of Augustine’s work.

Possible Improvements To This Outline

  • Replace the supplementary readings with helpful YouTube videos.

Curiositates Iucundae

  • “Curiositates iucundae” – A Latin phrase meaning “pleasant curiosities”, “enjoyable trivia”, or “fun facts”
    • A rough translation of the phrase: “Augustine City of God Outline” into Latin is “De civitate Dei schema”, meaning “Outline of the City of God.”
    • The book was written over 13 years – Augustine started City of God in 413 AD and completed it in 426 AD, making it one of his longest projects.
    • Augustine’s concept of time influenced Einstein – His reflections on time in Confessions later inspired philosophical discussions that shaped modern physics.
    • Augustine’s handwriting was famously messy – Some scholars believe that his rapid writing pace led to difficult-to-read manuscripts, requiring careful transcription by scribes.
    • An AI tool called Grok was consulted to create the Augustine City of God Outline on May 21, 2025.

Originally published on 21-May-2025; Updated 10-Dec-2025

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