This explores the 'family biography' of the Augustinian tradition by looking at Augustine's work and its development in the writings of Hannah Arendt and Reinhold Niebuhr. Mathewes argues that the Augustinian tradition offers us a powerful, though commonly misconstrued, proposal for understanding and responding to evil's challenges. The book casts light on Augustine, Niebuhr and Arendt, as well as on the problem of evil, the nature of tradition, and the role of theological and ethical discourse in contemporary thought.

‘This sort of book is very much to be welcomed … an engaging book, from which much can be learned.’

Source: Theology

‘… I plan to re-read it soon, so full is it of lively wisdom and insight about material I thought I knew well already.’

Source: Church Times

‘In a sensitive, creative and beautifully written account of augustine … Matthewes presents an account of evil that is in part metaphysical (supra-personal), but conceived more as energy than substance …’

Source: Church Times

‘While constantly demonstrating the author’s impressive erudition and capacity for complex argumentation, this eloquent treatise never loses its readability. Whether or not they ultimately accept the book’s persuasive argument, readers will find their thought productively stimulated by this rich volume.’

Source: Reviews in Religion and Theology