The City of God

Written between A.D. 413 and 426, The City of God by Augustine is a foundational text in Christian thought that addresses the Church's role amid the decline of the Roman Empire. Initially intended as a defense of Christianity against accusations of complicity in the Empire's fall, the work evolves into a broader exploration of history, portraying a cosmic battle between the forces of good (the City of God) and evil (the Earthly City). Augustine posits that, through divine will, the righteous will attain immortality, while those aligned with the Earthly City face destruction.