J E S U S , A U G U S T I N E A N D AQ U I N A S

CHRISTIANITY & POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

JOURNAL

Jesus said to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” -Matthew 7:12

What do you think of this definition of justice? Is it good enough for your life? Is it good enough to govern a community? How could you build a government around this definition?

MORE BIBLICAL DEFINITIONS OF JUSTICE

• Old Testament • mishpat: giving everyone their due (protection, care,

punishment)• tzadeqah: “primary justice”: living in right relationships• 10 Commandments

• New Testament• Jesus – the Golden rule: anticipating the needs of others

in determining our behavior toward them• Paul – justice: restoring humanity’s broken relationship

with God and each other through salvation (via Jesus)

TWO THINKERS – TWO APPROACHES

AugustineNeo-Platonist

AquinasAristotelian

ST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO

• 354-430 Roman provinces in Africa (modern day Algeria)

• Studied philosophy• Rhetoric teacher (in Rome,

Naples)• Converted to Christianity

later in life• Monk, Priest, Bishop of

Hippo• Up until Aquinas: is

preeminent thinker in Christian church

FROM AUGUSTINE’S CITY OF GOD

• In response to the excerpt:• For your highlighted question only, answer

both #1 and #2 in COMPLETE SENTENCES. You have 8 minutes!

WHERE HIS OPINIONS COME FROM -

Augustine’s Theology:• original sin• true justice = love of and submission to God• human will (after the fall) is defective – pursues love of

self at all times

• Predestination• God is omniscient• for the elect: grace to put love of God before love of self

is given

• City of God vs. Earthly City

WHERE HIS OPINIONS COME FROM -

Augustine’s Political Philosophy:• Humans (before the Fall) in their natural state =

cooperative, exist in harmony and equality with each other

• Humans (after the fall) = social cooperation is impossible; avarice and greed rule and are at their peak in the desire to rule others (i.e. the State)

• 3 Things to Know about the State:1. product of sin2. means of limiting human destruction3. tool for discipline on Earth• State serves a divine purpose rebellion is never okay

THOMAS AQUINAS

• 1225-1247; Italian Dominican Friar

• Academic (in some capacity) all his life:

tutorprofessorwriter

• Most famous work: Summa Theologiae• explanation of church

theology• reasons for the beliefs• History of philosophy• Christian ethics• Discussion of Law

• The most influential writer in Catholic church.

AQUINAS ON GOVERNMENT

• Man is social and cooperative (because of his reason/rationality) and NEEDS good society• There are many suitable governments; best are

ones guided by wise rulers dedicated to common good• Best government = kingship because it mirrors

God’s relationship with humanity• About kings:• Job = create a kingdom that encourages virtue• Not necessarily instruments of God’s will if they are

tyrants then they should be overthrown • Should submit to the spiritual guidance of the pope

FOUR KINDS OF LAW

Eternal – divine providenceNatural – natural inclination and reasonHuman – created by statesDivine – revealed in the Bible

What’s the purpose of each kind of law?

PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT

How does Augustine view the role of a state?

How did Plato view it?How did Aristotle view it?

Which view most closely matches your own?