Augustine Flashcards
What does Jean-Jacques Rousseau believe about human nature?
Humans are essentially generous and only act otherwise when circumstances cause them to do so.
Complete the quote by Rousseau: ‘Man is born free and everywhere he is in _______.’
chains
What does Rousseau’s metaphor of chains represent?
Competition for land, resources, and power resulting in a lack of freedom.
What is the purpose of life according to Rousseau?
To cut free from chains and rediscover the ‘state of nature’ by being more co-operative and appreciative of others.
True or False: Rousseau believes that some individuals are inherently masters over others.
False
What is the ‘state of nature’ according to Thomas Hobbes?
‘State of nature’ describes humans as not naturally co-operative but selfish and brutish
Hobbes suggests that in the absence of society, human behavior resembles that of animals.
In what vital respect are humans different from animals, according to Hobbes?
Humans possess the power of reason, enabling them to realize that cooperation makes life more tolerable
This reasoning capability is fundamental to Hobbes’ argument for social contracts.
What is the purpose of life as proposed by Hobbes?
The purpose of life is to conquer the brutish animal side of human nature and create just and fair societies
This reflects Hobbes’ belief in the need for structured governance and societal rules.
How does Hobbes describe the life of man?
‘The life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’
This quote encapsulates Hobbes’ view of life without societal structure.
What dual potential does human nature have according to Hobbes?
Human nature has the potential to act in completely opposite ways
This suggests the conflict between selfish impulses and the desire for cooperation.
What is the primary objective of studying Genesis 3?
To know and understand Genesis 3 and its context
Who is the key figure in the narrative of Genesis 3 that tempts the woman?
The serpent
What does the serpent question in Genesis 3?
Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’
What did the woman respond to the serpent’s question?
We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say…
What do Genesis 1-3 collectively represent according to some biblical scholars?
The key to unlocking the puzzle of human nature
How did Augustine interpret Genesis 1 and Genesis 2-3?
He read them as a continuous whole
What does Genesis 1 describe according to Augustine?
God created the world as a harmonious paradise
What does Genesis 2-3 explain according to Augustine?
Why the world is no longer a harmonious paradise
What claim does Genesis contradict according to Augustine?
The Manichean claim that the physical world was corrupt
What is depicted in Genesis 1 about creation?
An ordered, good creation that God carefully unfolds
What does Genesis 2 demonstrate about humanity’s role?
People are made in the image of God to rule over creation
What is the Hebrew term for ‘made in the image of God’?
Imago Dei
What does Imago Dei signify in the context of humanity?
Being capable of loving relationships
From what materials does God create man according to Genesis 2?
From dust
What dual nature of humanity is highlighted in Genesis 2?
Part of the physical world and made from the same material of nature
How does God breathe life into man?
By a life-giving force
Fill in the blank: According to Genesis 1-3, humans have a purpose of _______.
[stewardship]
True or False: Augustine believed that Genesis 1 and Genesis 2-3 were separate stories.
False
What was indispensable to human freedom according to Augustine?
The grace of Christ
Augustine believed that human freedom is reliant on the grace provided by Christ.
What doctrine did Augustine help formulate?
The doctrine of original sin
Augustine’s belief in original sin was central to his theological views.
How did Augustine describe the original sin of Adam and Eve?
An act of foolishness followed by pride and disobedience to God or that pride came first
This reflects Augustine’s exploration of the nature of sin and human fallibility.
When was Augustine of Hippo born?
13 November 354
Augustine’s birth date marks the beginning of his influence on Christian thought.
When did Augustine of Hippo die?
28 August 430
His death marked the end of a significant era in early Christian theology.
What position did Augustine hold?
Bishop of Hippo Regius
Hippo Regius is located in modern-day Annaba, Algeria.
Why is Augustine viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers?
For his writings in the Patristic Era
His contributions laid foundational ideas for Western Christianity.
Name two of Augustine’s most important works.
- The City of God
- Confessions
These works are critical to understanding Augustine’s impact on theology and philosophy.
What significant change occurred in Augustine’s life in 387?
His baptism and conversion to Christianity
This event catalyzed his theological development.
What was notable about Augustine’s approach to philosophy and theology?
He accommodated a variety of methods and perspectives
This adaptability reflects Augustine’s intellectual depth and openness to different ideas.
What did Augustine teach about the Original sin of Adam and Eve?
Original sin was either an act of foolishness followed by pride and disobedience to God or that pride came first.
This reflects Augustine’s view on the nature and sequence of human disobedience.
What are the effects of the fall on the human relationship with God according to Augustine?
The fall disrupted the harmonious relationship between humans and God, and also affected relationships with each other and creation.
Before the fall, Adam and Eve lived in complete obedience to God.
Describe the state of human nature before the fall.
There was perfect harmony between the human body, the human will, and reason.
This harmony led to relationships that were not based on lust.
What was the nature of sex before the fall according to Augustine?
Sex was not based on lust but by friendship and the will to reproduce.
This indicates a deeper connection beyond physical desire.
What event does Augustine identify as the turning point for the whole of creation?
The moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God.
This disobedience had far-reaching consequences for all of creation.
What does Augustine believe about God’s creation of the world?
God created the world perfectly, but the fall caused it to become imperfect.
This underscores the belief in a perfect creation that was marred by human sin.
How does Augustine view the role of Jesus in relation to the fall?
Jesus died for our sins, allowing the world to be redeemed and ultimately become perfect again.
This reflects the Christian belief in redemption through Christ.
Is Augustine’s interpretation of Genesis 3 traditionally accepted by Christianity?
Yes, it is traditionally accepted by Christianity.
Augustine’s views have significantly influenced Christian theology.
What is original sin?
Original sin is an Augustinian Christian doctrine stating that everyone is born sinful, with a built-in urge to do bad things and disobey God.
It is an important doctrine within the Roman Catholic Church and was formalized by the Councils of Trent in the 16th Century.
Who explained the concept of original sin in depth?
St Augustine
St Augustine’s teachings are foundational to the understanding of original sin in Christian theology.
What does original sin explain according to some Christians?
It explains the presence of evil in the world created by a perfect God and the need for salvation.
This perspective helps to justify the need for divine intervention in human affairs.
Is original sin considered a condition or an action?
A condition
Original sin is seen as the normal spiritual and psychological state of human beings, not merely as bad thoughts or actions.
What is the traditional Christian teaching about the origin of original sin?
It is the result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden.
This narrative is foundational in the Judeo-Christian explanation of humanity’s fallen state.
What are the effects of original sin on individuals?
It separates individuals from God and brings dissatisfaction and guilt into their lives.
This separation is a key theme in Christian teachings about the human condition.
How can individuals be cured of original sin according to some Christians?
Only by the grace of God.
This grace is received through accepting God’s love and forgiveness.
Fill in the blank: Original sin is not just an inherited spiritual disease; it’s also the _______ that goes with that fault.
condemnation
True or False: Original sin is something that people actively do.
False
It is a condition that affects all humans, including newborns.
What belief is associated with the need for salvation from original sin?
Belief that Jesus Christ died on the cross to redeem their sins.
This belief is central to Christian soteriology.
Predestination:
the idea that God chooses specific people to bring them to salvation
Grace:
God’s complete generous love given to humans who do not deserve it, seen primarily in the death and resurrection of Jesus to save people from their human nature.
Summum bonum:
the highest goods
‘Humans can never be morally good.’
• Augustine realised people would continue to sin even after they had accepted the grace of God.
• But God would elect some people for eternal life in heaven.
• Everyone is tainted by original sin, but God will allow some to go to heaven and he will
choose who. (Predestination)
• So for Augustine the only thing that saves people from eternal punishment for their human
nature is the grace of God
• He rejected the idea that human reason can lead to enlightenment
• He rejected the idea that good deeds could earn a place in heaven
• The grace of God was the only way to overcome the damage done by Adam and Eve’s act
of disobedience
