Augustine's Ordo and the Dawn of Just War: Seed...

Augustine's Ordo and the Dawn of Just War: Seeds of Legitimate Violence in the Early Middle Ages

Augustine of Hippo, a towering figure in Western thought, cast a long shadow over the early Middle Ages. His theological insights, forged in the crucible of the Roman Empire's decline, permeated virtually every aspect of intellectual life. This series will explore the intricate relationship between Augustine's political theology and the development of just war theory in the period between the 5th and 8th centuries CE, a time of immense political and social upheaval. This first post will delve into Augustine's concept of ordo – order – and its profound implications for understanding the legitimacy of violence in a fallen world.

The World Upside Down: Augustine's Diagnosis of Disorder

Augustine lived through tumultuous times. The sack of Rome in 410 CE, a devastating blow to the perceived invincibility of the Empire, profoundly impacted his worldview. He saw the inherent instability of earthly power, the corruption of human nature, and the constant struggle against sin as evidence of a fundamental disorder in the world. This disorder, stemming from the original sin, disrupted the ordo that God had intended for creation.

For Augustine, ordo was not merely a societal structure; it was a cosmic principle. It was the divinely ordained arrangement of all things, each occupying its proper place and fulfilling its intended purpose. This hierarchical order extended from the heavens to the earth, from the divine to the human, and from the ruler to the ruled. Justice, therefore, was inextricably linked to the maintenance of this ordo. In The City of God, Augustine argues that without justice, kingdoms are nothing more than "great robberies." This statement underscores his belief that legitimate rule is contingent upon upholding divine justice and maintaining a harmonious order.

The fall of humanity, however, introduced a pervasive element of disruption. Self-love, the pursuit of earthly glory, and the rejection of God's will became dominant forces, leading to conflict and chaos. This diagnosis of the human condition directly impacted Augustine's understanding of the state and its role in maintaining order.

The Sword as a Necessary Evil: Rulers and the Restoration of Order

Given his pessimistic view of human nature, Augustine saw the state as a necessary, albeit imperfect, institution. In a fallen world, the state, wielding the "sword" (symbolic of its coercive power), was tasked with maintaining a semblance of order and restraining the wicked. This perspective differed significantly from earlier Christian pacifism, which often rejected the use of violence under any circumstances.

Augustine believed that rulers had a divinely ordained responsibility to enforce justice and suppress evil. This duty sometimes necessitated the use of force, even war. However, Augustine was not advocating for unbridled violence. He insisted that the use of force must be guided by love and directed towards the restoration of ordo. This crucial caveat laid the groundwork for the development of just war principles.

In his letters, particularly those concerning the Donatist controversy, Augustine grappled with the justification of coercive measures against heretics. While he initially opposed the use of force, he later came to believe that the state had a legitimate right, and even a duty, to suppress heresy in order to protect the unity of the church and the souls of the faithful. This shift in his thinking, while controversial, highlights his commitment to maintaining order and preventing what he perceived as greater evils. He argued that even seemingly harsh measures, if motivated by love and aimed at correcting wrongdoing, could be justified.

Echoes of Augustine: Early Medieval Receptions of *Ordo* and Violence

The early Middle Ages witnessed a widespread adoption and adaptation of Augustine's concept of ordo. The disintegration of the Western Roman Empire left a power vacuum, and nascent kingdoms struggled to establish their legitimacy and maintain control. Augustine's writings provided a framework for understanding the role of the ruler, the justification for the use of force, and the importance of maintaining order.

Isidore of Seville (c. 560-636 CE), a prominent scholar and bishop, was deeply influenced by Augustine's thought. In his Etymologiae, Isidore emphasized the importance of law and justice for the well-being of society. He saw the king as the guardian of the laws, responsible for upholding justice and protecting the innocent. Isidore's emphasis on law and justice reflects Augustine's belief that legitimate rule is contingent upon maintaining a divinely ordained ordo.

Gregory the Great (c. 540-604 CE), another influential figure of the era, also drew heavily on Augustine's ideas. As Pope, Gregory faced numerous challenges, including barbarian invasions, famine, and plague. He stressed the importance of obedience to legitimate authority, even when that authority was imperfect. Gregory's emphasis on obedience reflects Augustine's belief that even flawed rulers could serve a purpose in maintaining order and restraining evil. While Gregory was known for his pastoral care and emphasis on peace, he also recognized the necessity of defending the church and its territories against external threats, thereby implicitly acknowledging the legitimacy of defensive warfare.

These early medieval thinkers, deeply immersed in Augustine's works, shaped the political and theological landscape of their time. They utilized his concept of ordo to justify the authority of rulers, the enforcement of laws, and the use of force in defense of justice and the common good. While Augustine's ideas were not always applied consistently or without controversy, they provided a crucial foundation for the development of just war theory in the centuries that followed.

Conclusion: Seeds of a Theory

Augustine's concept of ordo, born from the ashes of a declining empire, offered a powerful framework for understanding the role of the state and the legitimacy of violence in a fallen world. His belief that rulers had a divinely ordained duty to maintain order, even through the use of force, laid the groundwork for the development of just war principles. The early Middle Ages witnessed a widespread adoption and adaptation of Augustine's ideas, as thinkers like Isidore of Seville and Gregory the Great grappled with the challenges of establishing and maintaining order in a turbulent era. While Augustine's thought was complex and sometimes contradictory, it provided a crucial theological and philosophical foundation for the justification of warfare, setting the stage for the more elaborate just war theories that would emerge in later centuries. Subsequent posts will explore further nuances of Augustine’s thought and their impact on the just war tradition.