(128) He distinguished between two kingdoms: the civitas Dei (city of God) and the civitas terrea (city of Earth). In the latter kingdom, sin predominates. Augustine sees the influence of the Church on the state as the only means to ensure that the laws of the land are made with reference to divine laws, allowing people to live in the civitas Dei. The presence of such just laws distinguishes a state from a band of robbers. Robbers and pirates join together under a leader to steal from their neighbors. The robbers may have rules, but they are not just rules. However, Augustine further points out that even in a sinful civitas terrea, the authority of the state can ensure order through the rule of law, and that order is something we all have a reason to want.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 06:39:42 +0000