As human beings, we are often faced with the question of our purpose in the world. We wonder what our place is, and whether we are fulfilling that purpose. The pursuit of meaning is a fundamental part of being human, and it can be a challenging journey.

However, one book that has stood the test of time and offers great insights into our purpose is The City of God by St. Augustine. Written over 1500 years ago, this book explores the idea of two cities: one earthly and one heavenly, and how they interact with each other.

Through his reflections on this topic, St. Augustine invites us to re-evaluate our understanding of what it means to be human. He reminds us that our ultimate goal is not just happiness in this life but rather an eternal joy that comes from living in harmony with God’s will.

Augustine’s City of God

Augustine’s City of God is an idea that there are two distinct cities in the world: the City of God and the City of Man. The City of God is composed of those who seek to pursue the will of God through faith, love, and righteousness, while the City of Man is composed of those who seek to pursue their own will through power, greed, and selfishness. The City of God is eternal and is the ultimate destination of all who live according to the will of God, while the City of Man is temporal and seeks to control its own destiny apart from the will of God. Augustine argued that by choosing to live in the City of God, people can enjoy a life of peace and joy in the presence of God, while those who choose to live in the City of Man can only experience temporal pleasure and pain.

Man’s Natural End

At the heart of Augustine’s City of God lies his understanding of man’s natural end. He argues that all human beings desire happiness, but this cannot be found in earthly pleasures alone. Instead, true happiness can only be found by seeking and loving God above all else. Augustine also emphasizes that humans are social creatures who need community and order to thrive. The city of man is a place where people are driven by selfish desires and base instincts. It is a society where moral values are often compromised in favor of material gain or personal gratification. In many ways, it represents everything that goes against what Christians stand for – love, compassion, and selflessness.

Yet despite its flaws, Augustine recognized that the city of man was still necessary for our existence. It provides us with a platform to grow as individuals and develop our skills and talents. 

Temporal vs. Eternal Happiness

The city of man represents all things earthly: wealth, fame, power that people often chase after in search of happiness. Augustine asserts that this pursuit only leads to disappointment because these things are temporary and ultimately unsatisfying. In contrast, eternal happiness is not dependent on material possessions or social status but rather on an individual’s relationship with God. Augustine believes that by seeking truth through faith and living a virtuous life according to Christian principles, one can attain this eternal happiness. In order to achieve eternal happiness, Augustine suggests that we must turn our attention away from earthly desires and towards a higher power. He believes that true fulfillment can only be found in God, and encourages readers to seek Him out through prayer and devotion. While it may be difficult to resist the temptations of worldly pleasures, Augustine maintains that the rewards for doing so are immeasurable.

Sin and Redemption in The City of God

The idea of sin plays an essential role in Augustine’s City of God. He believed that much like Adam and Eve’s original sin in the Garden of Eden; all humans are born with original sin on their souls. This means that every person is predisposed to committing immoral acts without divine intervention. However, Augustine also believed in redemption through grace and faith in Christ, where individuals can overcome their sinful nature and become closer to God. Augustine argues that all human beings are born into sin because they are descendants of Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. This original sin has tainted every aspect of humanity, including our desires, motivations, and actions. As such, humans are incapable of achieving true happiness or peace without divine intervention.

Seeking the Mind of Christ

One key theme in Augustine’s work is the contrast between the City of God and the city of man. The former represents the Kingdom of Heaven, while the latter represents earthly concerns and worldly values.

To better understand this dichotomy, Augustine asks readers to consider what it means to seek the mind of Christ. For him, this involves transcending our own desires and inclinations in order to align ourselves with God’s will. This requires a deep humility that recognizes our limitations as finite beings and an openness to receiving divine guidance through prayer and meditation.

In light of these teachings, we can see how Augustine’s concept of two cities can help us discern how best to live in today’s world.

Modern Implications for Human Purpose

The modern implications for human purpose are vast when considered in light of Augustine’s interpretation. One can’t help but draw parallels between his thoughts on human nature and society to today’s world. In contemporary times, there exist parallel societies with varying values systems that have somewhat become entrenched within different individuals or groups’ identity ideologies.

Augustine’s City of God is a timeless work whose teachings are still relevant today. It speaks to the human condition and provides a roadmap for spiritual growth and understanding. It reminds us that our lives, while important, are part of something much larger than ourselves. By focusing on cultivating virtue, we can strive towards the kingdom of God and bring peace into our own lives and in the world around us.