Final answer:
Augustine of Hippo defended theological orthodoxy by arguing that all creation is inherently good and evils are part of God's providential plan. He upheld the concept of free will with divine grace and reassured Christians through his work 'The City of God' that the Kingdom of God would outlast earthly kingdoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Augustine of Hippo, despite the challenges of heresies like Pelagianism and Manichaeism, staunchly defended theological orthodoxy by arguing that all of creation was good as it was the work of God and even evils were part of God's plan. He also debated the concept of free will against determinism, affirming that humans could choose good with divine grace's help. Central to his works is The City of God, where Augustine reassured Christians that although kingdoms like Rome could fall, the Kingdom of God would persist forever, highlighting the transient nature of earthly life compared to the eternal Christian faith.
Augustine of Hippo, amidst the challenges posed by heresies like Pelagianism and Manichaeism, steadfastly defended theological orthodoxy. He argued that all of creation, despite the presence of evils, was inherently good as it was the divine work of God. Augustine grappled with theological concepts such as free will and determinism, asserting that humans, with the assistance of divine grace, could choose the path of good. His magnum opus, "The City of God," serves as a cornerstone of his teachings. In this work, Augustine consoled Christians facing the decline of kingdoms like Rome, assuring them that the Kingdom of God would endure eternally. This emphasized the transient nature of earthly realms in contrast to the enduring and eternal nature of the Christian faith. Augustine's profound theological contributions significantly influenced Christian doctrine and philosophy.