# What the Scriptures Teach Us to Believe Concerning the Creation of the Angels explained — The City of God

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

## What happens

Augustine examines the biblical account of creation to determine when the angels were created. He argues that the angels are implicitly included in the 'light' created on the first day, and that they were created as partakers of the eternal light of God, becoming 'Day' through participation in the unchangeable Wisdom of God. He also addresses the nature of evil as the loss of good, not a positive substance.

## Themes in this chapter

### True Worship and the One God

Augustine emphasizes that angels are created beings who receive light from God, not sources of light themselves, underscoring the sole worship of the Creator.

### Sin, Grace, and Redemption

Discusses the fall of angels who turned away from God, becoming impure spirits, and defines evil as the privation of good.

## Character check-ins

### Augustine

Author and theologian interpreting Scripture regarding the creation of angels.

### Jesus Christ

Referred to as the only-begotten Son of God, the unchangeable Wisdom by whom all things were made.

### Holy Scripture

Cited as the authoritative source for the creation narrative and the existence of angels.

## Key lines

> For evil has no positive nature; but the loss of good has received the name 'evil.'

Evil is not a substance in itself; it is merely the absence or privation of good.

_Augustine articulates the privation theory of evil, a key theological concept._

> The true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, this Light lighteth also every pure angel, that he may be light not in himself, but in God.

Just as Christ illuminates every human, He also illuminates the angels so that their light comes from God, not from themselves.

_Augustine explains the dependent nature of angelic holiness._

## Links

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