Augustine Flashcards
Who was Augustine
A theologian from the 4-5th century
Influenced western philosophy and Christianity
converted to Christianity later in life then became a bishop
Key works are the confessions and the city of god
Lived at a time of political change as the roman empire was beginning to disintegrate
Harmony prior to the fall
Augustine pictures harmony prior to the fall with
-God
-Creation
-Each other
-Oneself
(Caritas and cupiditas are perfectly balanced)
Adam and eves relationship
They experienced perfect friendship
Their friendship included reproduction (go forth and multiply)
Their sexual union was driven by friendship rather than lust
Adam cold use his body, will and reason to make his body have sex when he wanted
The fall
To Augustine the fall was a turning point for humanity
The perfection of the garden of Eden was lost and all harmony disappeared into imbalance
He says the fall is motivated by pride
Relationships post fall
Friendships between genders can still exist but are a struggle to maintain
This is because will is corrupted and tried to pull people away from goodness towards lust
Concupiscence rules over humans now so we choose our own selfish desires over unselfish ones
Concupiscence
Humanity’s inclination to sin and be influences by lust, desires and selfishness
Original sin
Everyone is born sinful - born with a built in urge to do bad things and to disobey God
Original sin post fall
The effects of Adams sin can be seen in the continued rebellious state of the human will
As every act of sex is driven by concupiscence, original sin is passed on through sex so every human since Adam and eve has been born into a state of sin
2 illustrations of original sin
Illustration 1 - double death ( first death caused by Adams rebelliousness is the death of the relationship between humans and god, second death is the mortality of every human )
Illustration 2 - transmission of sin ( just as a bad tree bears rotten fruit, Adams children also bear his rebellious nature )
Procreation before and after the fall
Before - sex is a rational response to gods commands to reproduce, body will and reason act in harmony, sex is a part of friendship relationships where caritas and cupiditas are balanced
After - Concupiscence drives man to lustful desires, sex is about passion rather than rationality, humans use one another for sexual gratification dominated by self love
Dawkins on original sin
The idea that all human nature relies on two individuals is absurd
Symbolic representation of genesis is still flawed, shows an unhealthy obsession with sin, guilt, violence and repressed sexuality
The idea that to repair this problem is through more death (e.g. death of Jesus) is sadomasochistic and irrational
Pinker on original sin
Doctrine of original sin has been responsible for violence, suffering and debasement of humanity
This has only changed in recent years with the decline of capital punishment and torture etc. as humanist principles have emerged in a post enlightenment period
We would be better off working by the humanitarian principle (taking into account interest of others)
Niebuhr on original sin
Optimism of the post enlightenment period was flawed
Humans need to properly understand their capacity for evil
In relationship with God humans can properly understand the limitations and possibilities of human nature (good people can do bad things and bad people can do good things)
Grace
Gods total, generous love that is given to humans though we do not deserve it
Grace post fall
The effects of the fall make it impossible for humans to restore their relationship with god by their own initiative
We need the direct action of God to restore harmony
Gods grace is shown in the death of Christ
Even those who receive grace continue to turn away from God, yet Gods generosity is shown in allowing some to go to heaven
Parable for Grace
The lost / prodigal son
The summum bonum
The highest good (is available for those who have faith and whom God has chosen)
Augustine thought the summum bonum was a state of absolute and eternal happiness which can only be achieved through gods presence in a restored relationship
It is not the same as being in heaven - its the state someone has when in heaven
Predestination
The idea that God chooses specific people to bring them to salvation
Augustine on predestination
Although humans are born with free will, concupiscence acts as a secondary human nature which pre determines us to sin
Therefore without Gods initiative nobody would be saved
By grace God elects some to salvation even before they are born
Challenges of predestination
Do humans still have genuine free will?
Can God elect people to not be saved?
Are people morally responsible for things they were predestine to do?
Pelagius
Clashed with Augustine over the topic of original sin and free will
Book - On nature and Grace
How does Pelagius contradict Augustine?
Argues we cant have a flawed nature as sin must be freely chosen
Humans do not have to sin and are capable of doing good
We are only sinners when we actually sin not at birth
Death is a biological necessity not a punishment
Gods grace shows us what’s right but humans carry out the actions
Humans use their free will to choose God which brings about the reward
The city of god
Augustine wrote this in response to the fall of the roman empire and the blame on christianity
He argues about the city of god and the city of man - everyone is a citizen of one but we do not know which until judgement day
The state is a necessary consequence for fallen humanity
Can there be a city of god on earth
It is too simple to say that the church is the same thing as the city of god
He spoke about the pilgrim city - citizens of the city of god who in this life are away from their true home in heaven
These people seek to find ways of living for god
No earthly city can ever be the true city of god
