At the latest Brunch Talk event, philosopher Alberto Garzoni delved into the enduring tension between Christian identity and secular citizenship, examining it through the lens of political Augustinianism. Drawing on Augustine’s City of God (19.17), Garzoni unpacked the relationship between the earthly and heavenly cities, two intertwined yet distinct realms that shape human life and moral responsibility.
Tracing the intellectual legacy of Augustine, Garzoni discussed how modern thinkers such as Robert Markus, John Milbank, Peter Kaufman, and Robert Dodaro have reinterpreted this framework to address contemporary questions of neutrality, virtue, and faith in the public sphere.
He argued that Augustinian thought remains profoundly relevant today, especially in light of debates on immigration, religious freedom, and the revival of civil religion and Christian nationalism. The central challenge, Garzoni noted, is how to sustain cooperation with secular authority for the sake of earthly peace while preserving the transcendent vocation of the Christian community, a delicate balance that continues to define the moral landscape of modern citizenship.
