The City of God · Chapter
Book VIII: Natural Theology and the Platonists explained
Augustine turns to natural theology, engaging primarily with the Platonists, whom he considers the closest philosophical approximation to Christian truth.
What happens
Augustine turns to natural theology, engaging primarily with the Platonists, whom he considers the closest philosophical approximation to Christian truth. He refutes Apuleius and others who argue that demons serve as mediators between gods and men, demonstrating that demons, being vicious, cannot reconcile men to good gods. He also contrasts Christian veneration of martyrs with pagan worship of dead men, emphasizing that Christians offer sacrifice only to God.
Themes in this chapter
True Worship and the One God
Augustine contrasts Christian worship of the one God with pagan worship of demons and dead men.
Critique of Pagan Religion
Refutes the idea that demons can mediate between gods and men; condemns pagan theatrical and magical practices.
Sin, Grace, and Redemption
Implied in the discussion of demons as slaves of vice and the need for true mediation through Christ.
Characters to notice
- Augustine
Author and primary voice; engages with Platonists and refutes demonic mediation.
- Apuleius
Refuted for maintaining that demons should be worshipped as mediators.
- Plato
Founder of the Platonic school; his philosophy is considered the nearest to Christian truth.
- Pythagoras
Founder of the Italic school; credited with originating the term 'philosophy'.
- Hermes Trismegistus
Quoted as confessing that the land was full of sepulchres and dead men worshipped as gods.
- Socrates
Mentioned regarding his god; Augustine argues that Socrates' god could not be a demon.
Key passages
“For it is not with ordinary men, but with philosophers that we must confer concerning the theology which they call natural.”
Augustine states that the debate about natural theology must be conducted with philosophers, not common people.
Sets the stage for engaging with Platonists.
“But, nevertheless, we do not build temples, and ordain priests, rites, and sacrifices for these same martyrs; for they are not our gods, but their God is our God.”
Christians honor martyrs but do not worship them as gods; only God receives sacrifice.
Key distinction between Christian veneration and pagan worship.