Augustine’s Teachings on Human Nature Flashcards
What was the world like before The Fall?
Humans were made in God’s “image and likeness.” God looked upon his creation and all was “good.” Adam and Eve lived in complete obedience to God and nothing would threaten them. Perfect harmony between human reason, human body and human will.
Adam and Eve had a friendship. The two were married as friends and enjoyed a friendship with God. Harmony.
What was Adam and Eve’s relationship like sexually?
God told them to “go forth and multiply,” so it was likely a sexual relationship, but Augustine says they had perfect rational control over genitalia. We were ‘seminally present’ in the loins of Adam, which caused the spread of Original Sin.
According to Augustine, why did Original Sin corrupt us even to this day?
Because we were “seminally present” inside Adam when he sinned, we became “vitiated” by the sin, which is why we are born in sin. After The Fall, we inherited an irresistible inclination towards sin.
What is cupiditas and caritas and how were they affected by Original Sin?
Cupiditas - selfish love
Caritas - love of others
They used to be in balance but Original Sin gave us an inclination towards selfish love.
What is concupiscence?
When our bodily desires overrun our reason. Arousal/lust cannot be controlled.
“For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” - Romans 7:15-18
Why would science reject Augustine’s views on the Fall?
- We evolved, Genesis can’t be all true because of genetic diversity.
- Misunderstands reproduction; we weren’t all present in the loins of Adam.
- Original Sin not being factual undermines the rest of Augustine’s conclusions.
How could one defend Augustine’s ideas empirically?
We can observe Original and innate sin in humans.
- Augustine’s Pear. He stole a pear as a child, not because he was hungry, but because he wanted to steal. Original Sin manifests in children.
- Chesterton argues we can see sin on the street.
- Hobbes has observed human behaviour and noted our inclination towards evil.
- Psychological proof: Stanford Prison Experiment, power corrupts people easily.
Why would moral progression be a criticism of Augustine’s beliefs on Original Sin?
Humans have shown moral improvement since Augustine’s time. Less people condone things like the death penalty, mass murders, pillaging etc. If Augustine was right in assuming Original Sin caused a permanent temptation to sin, how have we improved?
Martin Luther King: “The arch of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.”
How does Augustine view God’s grace and predestination?
- The corruption of Original Sin means we can’t get to Heaven through our own efforts. So sin damns us to hell.
- God is merciful and ‘elects’ a few people to go to Heaven even though nobody deserves it.
- God’s grace allows people to receive the summum bonum (highest good.)
- Receiving grace allows people to be good and do good things.
Why would Pelagius argue against Augustine’s views on predestination?
If we are punished for our sin and we can’t help it, surely it makes God unjust and non-benevolent? It’s not ethical for all of humanity to be blamed for Adam and Eve’s sin. People being responsible for others’ actions is particularly bizarre.
Thus, only our having free will without coercion from Original Sin makes sense of Biblical teachings of God’s judgement.
How would Augustine respond to Pelagius’ criticisms of his views on predestination?
God doesn’t punish us because of Adam and Eve, he punishes us because we are sinful beings. It was a factual consequence that Adam’s sperm became infected with sin.
It’s Adam’s fault, not God’s. Therefore, predestination is not unjust because we are sinners.
This may seem unfair but Augustine puts it down to the “secret yet just judgement of God.”
What biblical quote supports the idea that God is merciful despite punishing us for sin?
“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth.” - Psalm 25:10
Why would Pelagius argue that Augustine’s views on Original Sin are unbiblical?
- Augustine’s ideas suggest humans are incapable of doing good.
- The bible is full of God and Jesus commanding/telling us how to do good.
- If we were so corrupted, God wouldn’t bother trying to steer us towards goodness.
- By commanding us to do good, God shows that human nature must be able to follow that command. Hence, humans aren’t irretrievably broken after the Fall.
How would Augustine respond to Pelagius’ claims that his views of Original Sin are unbiblical.
Humans CAN do good - if they have received grace! The commands of the Bible are for those who have been given grace. The rest of humanity is irretrievably damaged by sin.
What is Philippians 2:13 and why is it significiant?
“God… works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose.”
It is God’s grace working in us, not our own power to do good.
