Most famous for writing his autobiography “The Confessions” and the philosophical treatise “The City of God,” Augustine also penned numerous sermons which were meant to both inspire remembrance throughout the generations and to persuade others. Sometimes convoluted and complex, his sermons were not even read by many common people at the time. 

Augustine’s writings focused on persecution, when he said that another person can kill your body, but never your soul, thus Augustine advised to fear God instead of persecutors and to beware the death of your soul, since God will kill it if you act unrighteously. Augustine’s sermon called “sheep and wolves” focused on serpents and doves. He spoke of old snakes shedding their skin and compared this with abandoning the “old man,” or old ways of sin, and Christians as peaceful like doves but also wise like serpents. 

Citing martyrs as a strong example to all other faithful, Augustine’s main point was that they accepted the death of their body in exchange for the life of their eternal soul; they wouldn’t betray Christ. Using Peter as an example, Augustine asserted that he represented the Church and the Christian people, because when one trusts Christ they will not sink. However, when trust in oneself is larger than trust in God, he will sink in the stormy sea as did Peter. Moreover, the world is the sea, pulling people into its dangerous water, with a great threat being tranquility in life. When times are good, people let their guards down to temptations. 

Although tribulations, hardships, and persecutions may seem like the most dangerous and likely ways one might break away from Christ, Augustine urged Christians to be on guard against the offenses of the world, including enticements from friends or family. When asked how to resist these pitfalls, Augustine advised to obey God’s law and avoid being pleased with oneself for good deeds, as this only happens because of God’s grace. So strong is God’s grace, that it can even transform heathens and barbarians into people of God. Augustine thought that the world was old and failing and Christians were pilgrims therein. Eventually, all of creation would pass away, he surmised that there was no possibility of the world improving throughout history.

The word “Renaissance” means a rebirth, or a renewal of interest in historical philosophy, literature, art, architecture, or law. Following the Renaissance of the 12th Century was the second major “rebirth,” following the Carolingian Renaissance in the 9th Century. 

In the early Middle Ages, ancient Roman literature had largely been forgotten due to the many wars and famines across Europe. Even during the 12th Century, ancient literature had not been the main focus, rather Roman philosophy, that enamored the thinkers, although there was some reading of Latin authors and poets including Virgil and Ovid. 

Unlike the Carolingian Renaissance, where old works were simply copied, the 12th Century involved the studying of ancient works and the writings of commentaries. Another focus was directed towards Roman law and history. 

One of the greatest translators of the 12th Century, Gerard of Cremona, translated the ancient mathematicians, astronomists, and doctors, Euclid, Ptolomy, Galen, Hippocrates, and Avicenna. These works were most commonly translated into Arabic or Latin, from ancient Latin and Greek.

In ancient Greece and Rome, there was an interest in education, with many schools and colleges being founded in their major cities, however by the early Middle Ages, there was little education, with most schools being destroyed during the Dark Ages. Starting in the 12th Century, major universities were founded, including: Oxford, Cambridge, Paris, and Bologna. Each university was known for different things. Paris was famous for theology and Bologna for law. Upon graduating from one of these prestigious universities, one would be able to teach almost anywhere in Europe. 

Interestingly, the university system was intertwined with the Church. For instance, a university needed a charter granted by the Pope in order to be established, while the universities depended upon the Church for protection. Many famous theologians from that time either studied or taught at major universities across Europe. Even St. Thomas Aquinas wrote an organization of theology that reflected on life there. The establishment of universities was a major step in education and gave many more people access to the studies of theology, law, literature, history, philosophy, etc.

Augustine was probably the most influential writer of his time, with his writings remaining relevant for hundreds of years, until at least the 1000s. His two most famous works: “The Confessions” and “The City of God” shaped Western thought and theology for generations. 

Written from 413-426, “The City of God” was Augustine’s response to the Visigoths’ sacking of Rome in 410. Rome had been called the “Eternal City,” although it became clear that this was not the case. The city’s annihilation in 410 was its first defeat in 800 years. Subsequently, the pagan Romans blamed the Christian’s for the city’s defeat. However, Augustine refuted this by saying it was due to the debauchery of Roman morals and identified Rome as a worldly model or ideal example for the “City of Man,” which is contrasted with the “City of God”: which was a spiritual and eternal institution, not of this world. 

Augustine also used the book to give advice to the Roman Christians, who were scattered by the barbarian invasions. Advising those who were captured by barbarians and he urged them to practice their faith the same way they would normally. For instance, Augustine thought that if you were a woman violated by barbarians, it was not a sin or a cause of shame. 

The main difference between the City of God and the City of Man is that the latter is not divinely everlasting, unlike what others had been saying Rome was. There was nothing unique about the sacking of Rome; this had happened many times in history with great empires coming and going. Although Augustine comforted Christians during the invasions, he also explicitly stated that suicide should not be used as an escape because it is counted the same as murder, citing Judas as an example. During the sacking some pagans had asked “Where is the Christian God?” In response, Augustine said “Where were your gods?” adding that Rome was not saved by God due to its outright and unapologetic immorality, and that any powerful kingdom or empire becomes strong due to bloodshed, invasion and theft. 

Augustine urged people to pursue tranquility instead, saying that the City of God is not found on earth, since it is not an institution. God is sovereign over all kingdoms, including the most formindable and powerful earthly empires. Man was not created in the City of Man, Augustine implied that Adam and Eve were instead members of the City of God. Moreover, the City of Man was not created by God but by Man when Adam and Eve committed the first sin. Now, when Man is born, they become members of the City of Man, and can only become members of the City of God after death. One can strive to be like Christ on earth, but can never actually part of the City of God until they enter heaven. Clearing the notion that God predestined Man to sin, Augustine said that God allowed the devil to rebel, but did not predestine his rebellion or Man’s, who had free will. The City of Man has self-love, but the City of God has love of God.