Augustine's Significance for Theorists on War, Justice, and Peace | Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P.

Nov 15, 2024

Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P., a professor at the Dominican House of Studies and an expert on patristics, dives deep into St. Augustine's profound impact on concepts of war, justice, and peace. He unpacks Augustine's transformation from Manichaean to influential bishop, highlighting a pivotal conversion moment. The discussion emphasizes Augustine's beliefs on peace, the moral necessity of just causes in war, and critiques modern interpretations of his doctrines. His insights reveal Augustine's legacy as a cornerstone of moral theology in contemporary discourse.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

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The Journey of St. Augustine: From Manichaean to Influential Bishop

02:24 • 7min

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Augustine on Peace and Warfare

09:35 • 12min

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Augustine and the Justness of War

21:27 • 15min

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Exploring Augustine's Theology on War, Justice, and Peace

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Epistle 229

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Epistle 138 to Marcellinus

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The Cambridge Companion to Augustine's Sermons

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book 6, question 10 on Joshua

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Frederick Russell

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Edidit commentario instruxit Albertus Grilli.

Cicero

Cicero's Hortensius is a lost work of philosophy that is believed to have played a significant role in Augustine's conversion to Christianity.

De Doctrina Christiana

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Augustine's De Doctrina Christiana is a foundational text on Christian doctrine, offering insights into the interpretation of Scripture and the nature of Christian teaching.

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Confessions

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Written in Latin between AD 397 and 400, 'Confessions' is a blend of autobiography, philosophy, theology, and critical exegesis of the Christian Bible. The first nine books are autobiographical, tracing Augustine's life from his birth to his conversion to Catholicism. He recounts his sinful youth, his involvement with Manicheism and Neoplatonism, and his eventual conversion in a Milanese garden. The last four books focus on philosophical and theological issues, including memory, time, eternity, and the interpretation of the Book of Genesis. The work is structured as a series of prayers to God, reflecting Augustine's journey of redemption and his understanding of God's grace and providence.

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Augustine of Hippo

Written between 413-426 CE, 'The City of God' is a response to pagan claims that the sack of Rome by barbarians was a consequence of the abolition of pagan worship by Christian emperors. Augustine argues that Christianity saved the city from complete destruction and that Rome’s fall was due to internal moral decay. The book divides humanity into two metaphorical cities: the City of God, characterized by devotion to God, and the City of Man, characterized by self-love. It also outlines Augustine’s theological interpretation of human history, from the Creation to the Second Coming of Christ, and critiques paganism and pagan philosophy while presenting the true history of the City of God.

This lecture was given on June 10th, 2024, at the Catholic University of America.

For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events.

About the Speaker:

Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P., (Ph.D. Notre Dame) is professor of patristics and ancient languages at the Pontifical Faculty of the Dominican House of Studies where he serves as the director of the doctoral program. He authored Christ in the Life and Teaching of Gregory of Nazianzus (Oxford University Press, 2013) and The Power of Patristic Preaching: The Word in Our Flesh (Catholic University of America, 2023). He co-authored A Living Sacrifice: Guidance for Men Discerning Religious Life (Vianney Vocations, 2019). Editor-in-chief of the academic journal The Thomist, Hofer is editor or co-editor of several volumes including The Oxford Handbook of Deification, The Cambridge Companion to Augustine's Sermons, and Thomas Aquinas and the Greek Fathers. He enjoys speaking with students about their theological and spiritual questions.

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