Christianity According to St. Augustine and Machia Essay Example

mercy is extended to both pious and ungrateful individuals.Augustine reflects on God's impartiality, stating that both the righteous and the wicked receive blessings from the sun and rain. He delves into God's patience with mankind and emphasizes the importance of personal choice in repentance. Augustine explores how individuals respond differently to God's patience, some accepting it while others await judgment after rejecting it. He also presents an intriguing viewpoint on the sanctity of mind and body. According to him, a virtuous mind that leads a noble life will have supremacy over the body, thus sanctifying it through holy willpower. This idea is exemplified in situations where determining a raped woman's purity; if her mind remains resolute but her body succumbs to force, her body maintains its sanctity. Conversely, if she is morally pure but weak in mind and gives in, then her body loses its holiness. Furthermore, Augustine addresses concerns about inconsistencies in the Old Testament concerning the commandment against killing. He argues that someone who kills under orders from another is not considered a murderer but rather an accomplice - citing Abraham sacrificing his son at God's command as an example. Lastly, Augustine advises Christians not to resist those who oppose the City of God because he believes many will eventually repent and become citizens of this city. However, it should be acknowledged that while Augustine holds steadfast moral convictions, his political theories may be influenced by his strong religious beliefs.

It is common for many pagans to attribute the moral decline of Roman citizens to the rise of Christianity. Nonetheless, Augustine argues that the moral decline of Rome actually began prior to the arrival

of Christ.

Niccolo Machiavelli presented contrasting ideas to those of Augustine regarding the ethics of politics, which led some to believe that he advocated for tyranny. In his book, Machiavelli titled the government as "the prince" and discussed various aspects of politics, particularly morality. According to him, the most crucial quality a ruler should possess is mastery in the art of war, which must be applied both during times of conflict and peace to ensure the stability of the state. Although he did not explicitly touch upon Christianity, this distinction showcases the differing priorities of Machiavelli and Augustine. Machiavelli argued that if a prince becomes overly focused on what many perceive as virtuous, it will ultimately result in the loss of his state. Conversely, if the prince prioritizes actions that many view as vices, it will contribute to his personal safety and that of his state. Machiavelli believed that a prince must learn how to set aside conventional morals and employ these qualities when necessary.

The Prince does not mention justice and injustice as virtues or vices that the prince should seek or avoid, suggesting Machiavelli's belief that justice cannot exist without God, aligning with his assertion that a ruler must ignore morals and faith to govern effectively. However, Augustine argues that one cannot have loose moral standards and disregard faith while being in God's presence. While Machiavelli acknowledges human imperfections throughout history, he criticizes Augustine, Plato, and Aristotle for envisioning ideal cities and emphasizes practical knowledge in city-building by learning from past mistakes. He praises King Ferdinand for expelling Jews and Muslims from Spain as a means to secure the state rather than relying on religion

for moral governance, indicating his lack of opposition towards Christianity since Ferdinand was the first Christian king.

While St. Augustine and Machiavelli have differing moral stances, it is clear that both writers are Christians. However, St. Augustine demonstrates a stronger connection to his faith and is less involved in politics. In contrast, Machiavelli does not separate man from his perceived natural state of morality; rather, he utilizes it for political advantage. When discussing Moses and the Israelites' escape to the promised land, Machiavelli alludes to the miracles of Christ to suggest that God has fulfilled His part and now humanity must take action. This implies that Machiavelli believes politics should not exclude God but instead work harmoniously with Him.

In comparison to Machiavelli, St. Augustine's education surpasses his own faith as he shows concern for how others are morally guided in their beliefs without discrimination. While some may perceive Machiavelli as an anarchist, I believe that upon thorough reading of his work, he possesses a deeper understanding of human nature and its universal application in politics.