The City of God · Chapter
What the Scriptures Teach Us to Believe Concerning the Creation of the Angels explained
Augustine examines the biblical account of creation to determine when the angels were created.
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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter is the dramatic climax because it marks the irreversible psychological and spiritual turning poin…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes 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.
Characters to notice
- 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 passages
“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.
