CHRIST AND THE JUST SOCIETY IN THE THOUGHT OF AUGUSTINE

Christ and the Just Society in the Thought of Augustine is a fresh study of Augustine{u2019}s political thought and ethics in relation to his theology. The book examines fundamental issues in Augustine{u2019}s theological and political ethics in relation to the question {u2018}HowdidAugustine conceive the just society?{u2019} At the heart of the book{u2019}s approach is the relationshipthat Augustine outlines in his City of God and other writings between Christ and those believers who acknowledge him to be the only source of the soul{u2019}s virtue. The book demonstrates how Augustine sees Christ{u2019}s grace and the scriptures contributing to the soul{u2019}s growth in virtue, especially as these issues are framed by the Pelagian controversy. Finally, the implications which Augustine sees for Christ{u2019}s mediation of virtue are examined in relation to his revision of the ancient concepts of heroism and the statesman.