The Pilgrim City: St Augustine of Hippo and his Innovation in Political Thought

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In this book Miles Hollingworth investigates how Augustine's understanding of discipleship causes him to resist the normal tendencies of Western political thinkers. On the one hand, he does not attempt to delineate an ideal state in the classical fashion: to his mind, the Garden of Eden can be an archetype for nothing on earth. And on the other hand, he does not seek to achieve an ideological perspective on the proper relations between Church and State. In fact his Pilgrim City is shown to lie beyond utopianism, realism and the normal terms of political discourse. It stands, instead, as a singular challenge to the aspirations of politics in the West; and so standing it calls for a reassessment of his position in the history of political thought.

This book will be of interest to theologians as well as historians of political thought. It will also appeal to anyone with an interest in the history of ideas.

Reviews

In a period of flourishing interest in Augustine's political thought, Miles Hollingworth's Pilgrim City is a welcome contribution... wide ranging, impressively researched and provocatively presented... -- Theology Vol 114 No. 4
... This book will be of great value to all who have come to rely upon Augustine for insights into political thought and who still ponder the responsibility of Christians in civil society. -- Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology
Miles Hollingworths The Pilgrim City is a joy to read. His mastery and comfort with the body of Augustines work coupled with judicious and illuminating quotes of the primary sources makes Augustines political theology come alive to both new and seasoned readers. Hollingworth focuses on the impact Augustines thought has had on Western political theory and evaluates the authenticity of the various political theories that claim the Augustinian mantle. He does so by drawing on writers throughout history that parallel or serve as foils to Augustines ideas including Dostoyevsky, Rousseau, Luther, Marx, Shakespeare, Tolstoy, and others. This is a refreshing approach to Augustinian studies The Pilgrim City is a strong and unique contribution to Augustinian political theology. It can be used in graduate and upper level undergraduate courses on political theology, history (medieval through early modern), and political science. -- Mark J. Allman * Horizons: The Journal of the College Theological Society *
In a period of flourishing interest in Augustine's political thought, Miles Hollingworth's Pilgrim City is a welcome contribution...wide ranging, impressively researched and provocatively presented... Pilgrim City is full of insight and verve, and Hollingworth is clearly a scholar on the rise. * Theology *
Hollingworth contends that the failure of Augustine to leave behind a work of political theory has exposed the saint to serious misunderstanding... The book is well written, though occasionally obscure, and well researched... * Choice *
The Pilgrim City is written in an assured and authoritative style and deserves wide attention for its insights and the depth of its scholarship. * Political Theology *

Author Bio

Miles Hollingworth is the author of Saint Augustine of Hippo, an intellectual biography of Saint Augustine. He is a past winner of the Jerwood Award, the Elizabeth Longford Scholarship and has been shortlisted for the Gladstone History Prize.