Augustine + Human Nature DCT Flashcards
What is meant by ‘human nature’?
The set of dispositions humans are born with.
Is human nature shaped by culture or society according to the idea?
No, it is considered natural and independent of culture.
Which philosopher claimed human nature is corrupted by original sin?
Augustine.
Which book of the Bible influenced Augustine’s theory?
Genesis.
What was Augustine trying to explain with his theory?
The origin of sin.
What was the Garden of Eden?
A perfect place where Adam and Eve lived in harmony with nature and each other.
What command did God give Adam and Eve in Eden?
To go forth and multiply.
According to Augustine, how was sex before the fall?
Purely rational and not driven by desire.
What was the result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience?
They were banished from Eden and introduced sin into human nature.
What is the theological term for Adam and Eve’s disobedience?
The Fall.
What punishment did God give Eve after the Fall?
Pain in childbirth.
What punishment did God give Adam after the Fall?
He had to toil the land for food.
What is ‘original sin’?
A corrupted human nature inherited from Adam and Eve.
What does ‘seminally present in the loins of Adam’ mean?
All humans were present in Adam and inherited his sin.
What does ‘vitiated through sin’ mean?
Corrupted or spoiled due to sin.
What are the two types of love in Augustine’s theory?
Cupiditas and Caritas.
What is ‘Cupiditas’?
Love of selfish, temporary things.
What is ‘Caritas’?
Selfless, virtuous love aligned with God’s will.
What is ‘concupiscence’?
Bodily desires overpowering reason, especially sexual desire.
Why did Augustine view sexual organs as evidence of original sin?
They can act independently of the will.
What do geneticists say about the story of Adam and Eve?
Genetic diversity disproves descent from two people.
What scientific theory contradicts Augustine’s view of creation?
Evolution.
What is the homunculus theory?
A belief that tiny humans exist inside male semen.
Why is Augustine’s biological theory of reproduction incorrect?
He lacked scientific understanding and used outdated theories.
Can Augustine’s idea of original sin still hold without the Fall story?
Yes, based on observations of human nature.
What example did Augustine use to show human sinfulness?
The story of stealing pears.
What did Chesterton say about original sin?
You can see it ‘in the street’.
What did Niebuhr call original sin?
An empirically verifiable Christian doctrine.
What did Pelagius say influenced human evil?
Corrupt upbringing and habit.
What is ‘educated in evil’?
Pelagius’ term for how society trains people to sin.
What did Pelagius say about sin becoming nature?
Sin becomes so habitual it feels natural.
What does Pelagius believe about free will?
Humans have it and are responsible for their actions.
Why does Pelagius reject predestination?
Because it removes personal moral responsibility.
What does Pelagius say about God’s commands?
They imply we must be able to obey, so we must have free will.
What is Pelagius’ view on praise for good actions?
Humans deserve praise for choosing to do good.
What is ‘grace’ according to Augustine?
A gift from God that enables humans to be saved.
What is ‘election’?
God choosing some people to receive grace and be saved.
What is predestination?
The belief that our fate is predetermined by God.
What is double predestination?
Some are chosen for heaven, others for hell.
Why does Augustine think we need grace?
We are too corrupted by original sin to do good by ourselves.
What verse supports grace as a gift?
Ephesians 2:8 - grace is not something we can earn.
What verse supports God enabling good acts?
Philippians 2:13 - God works in us to act and will good.
Why does Augustine say predestination is not unjust?
Because original sin makes us deserving of punishment.
What does ‘massa damnata’ imply about humanity?
That all humans deserve damnation without grace.
What Psalm does Augustine quote to justify God’s justice?
Psalm 25:10 - ‘All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth’.
What does Augustine say about judging God’s justice?
It is inscrutable – beyond human understanding.
Why does original sin seem unfair?
Because it punishes people for Adam’s actions.
Why is it hard to accept Augustine’s view of justice today?
It contradicts modern ideas of love and fairness.
Why is a child with cancer a problem for Augustine’s view?
It’s hard to see how this could be just punishment for sin.
What does Pelagius think about God’s moral commands?
They mean we must be able to obey them.
What happens if humans are too corrupted to obey God?
It makes God’s commands pointless.
What attitude does Pelagius say original sin encourages?
A fatalistic and lazy attitude toward morality.
What does Pelagius say about God’s awareness?
God would not command what humans cannot do.
How does Pelagius define divine help?
God gives us free will to choose good.
What is the role of free will in doing good?
It is the human choice to act on the ability given by God.
What is Augustine’s view on good acts?
They result from divine love, not free will.
What Bible verse does Augustine use to argue love is from God?
Romans 5:5 - God’s love poured into our hearts.
Why does Augustine reject Pelagius’ praise of humans?
Because it overlooks God’s role in providing the ability to love.
What does Pelagius mean by ‘divine help’?
Assistance in choosing to do good.
Why does Augustine find Pelagius’ divine help inadequate?
It lacks clarity on what the help really involves.
What does Augustine say divine help includes?
God directly intervening in our will.
Why does Augustine reject the idea that we earn salvation?
Because salvation is only possible through grace.
Can good acts be credited to humans in Augustine’s view?
No, they are enabled by God’s grace.
What does Augustine argue about who Jesus’ teachings apply to?
That they were only for those who had received grace.
Why does Augustine believe not everyone can follow Jesus’ teachings?
Because original sin makes it impossible without divine grace.
Why does this argument fail according to critics?
Because Jesus addressed large crowds, not just the elect.
How does Jesus’ teaching in Luke 5:31–32 challenge Augustine?
Jesus says he came to call sinners, implying they can repent and be saved.
What does the Sermon on the Mount suggest about Jesus’ audience?
It was aimed at everyone, not just those predestined to be saved.
How does Pelagius use Jesus’ moral teachings to criticise Augustine?
He argues the Bible shows Jesus believed people could choose to follow him.
What contradiction does Pelagius point out in Augustine’s theory?
The Bible’s universal moral call contradicts Augustine’s idea that only the elect can respond.
What does Pelagius believe about Jesus’ moral commands?
They prove people must have the ability to follow them.
Why does Augustine struggle to explain biblical teachings?
Because they appear to offer salvation to all, not just the elect.
What is the implication of Jesus calling sinners to repentance?
That sinners have the capacity to respond and change.
