# Of the authority of the canonical Scriptures composed by the Divine Spirit explained — The City of God

> Chapter companion for The City of God by Augustine of Hippo.

## What happens

Augustine discusses the paramount authority of canonical Scripture, which was produced by the Divine Spirit through prophets, Christ, and apostles. He explains that for knowledge beyond our own senses, we must rely on trustworthy testimony, especially for spiritual truths perceived by the mind and spirit.

## Themes in this chapter

### True Worship and the One God

The chapter emphasizes the authority of Scripture as the foundation for true knowledge of God, contrasting with pagan reliance on human wisdom.

### Divine Providence and History

Augustine argues that God has providentially provided Scripture as a reliable guide for matters beyond human senses.

## Character check-ins

### Augustine

Author of the chapter, explaining the authority of canonical Scripture.

### Jesus Christ

Referred to as the Mediator who spoke through prophets, His own lips, and the apostles.

### Holy Scripture

Described as canonical and of paramount authority, produced by the Divine Spirit.

## Key lines

> This Mediator, having spoken what He judged sufficient, first by the prophets, then by His own lips, and afterwards by the apostles, has besides produced the Scripture which is called canonical, which has paramount authority, and to which we yield assent in all matters of which we ought not to be ignorant, and yet cannot know of ourselves.

Christ, the Mediator, communicated what was necessary through prophets, Himself, and the apostles, and also established the canonical Scriptures, which hold supreme authority and are trusted for knowledge we cannot obtain on our own.

_Augustine outlines the chain of divine revelation culminating in canonical Scripture._

> For if we attain the knowledge of present objects by the testimony of our own senses, whether internal or external, then, regarding objects remote from our own senses, we need others to bring their testimony, since we cannot know them by our own, and we credit the persons to whom the objects have been or are sensibly present.

Just as we rely on eyewitnesses for things we haven't seen, we must trust those who have directly experienced spiritual truths, since these are beyond our own sensory perception.

_Augustine draws an analogy between sensory testimony and spiritual testimony to justify faith in Scripture._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters/part-ii-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_city_of_god_se/chapters