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This volume concludes the series of translations of the Letters of St. Augustine in Fathers of the Church. The Letters recently discovered by Johann Divjak have not yet been translated. While many of the letters in this volume date from the closing decade of Augustine's life, the last thirty-nine cannot with certainty be assigned to a definite date. As to subject matter problems stemming from the Donatist schism and Pelagianism still claim a fair part of Augustine's attention. He is also obliged to defend himself against objections raised by ecclesiastics against his teachings on grace, free will and predestination. Problems of Church discipline continued to call for attention to the very end of the life of the bishop of Hippo. Very likely the best known letter is Letter 211, the so-called Rule of St. Augustine; it is also the most controversial. Occasioned by disturbances in a local community of sisters who apparently already had some norms to regulate their community life, the letter focuses on shortcomings in charity, observance of the common life, prayer, mortification, care of the sick, modest demeanor outside the convent, respect and obedience toward the superior. In the sense of a complete set of norms officially approved by the Church for a religious community, however, the Letter is not a rule.

The author examines the theological bases of just war theory and pacifism, espcially in the light of the concept of God, as that motif illuminates Chrsitian discipleship. Differences between the theory of just war and the practice of pacifism are highlighted in the overview of the history of Christian thought on the subject, and the inclusiveness of the ideal of the kingdom for pacifism is emphasized.

Most surveys of religious tolerance and intolerance start from the medieval and early modern period, either passing over or making brief mention of discussions of religious moderation and coercion in Greco-Roman antiquity. Here Maijastina Kahlos widens the historical perspective to encompass late antiquity, examining ancient discussions of religious moderation and coercion in their historical contexts. The relations and interactions between various religious groups, especially pagans and Christians, are scrutinized, and the stark contrast often drawn between a tolerant polytheism and an intolerant Christianity is replaced by a more refined portrait of the complex late antique world.

This book is ideal for those who wish to read some of the wisest and most wonderful sayings of Augustine. It will help all those who wish to pepper a speech, or a sermon, or an essay with the wisdom of Saint Augustine. The book is a valuable resource, too, for anyone who wants to find out "Did Augustine really say that?" and, if he did, in which of his voluminous writings it appeared. Drawn from the internationally acclaimed and successful series, the 'Fathers of the Church,' The Quotable Augustine presents a wide-ranging sample of the writings of a towering figure of the early church.