Augustine's teachings on human nature Flashcards
Describe human nature according to the content.
Human nature is the set of dispositions that humans are born with, representing the way the mind operates naturally, without cultural influence or socialization.
Explain Augustine’s view on original sin.
Augustine believed that human nature is corrupted by original sin, which he attributed to the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
How did Augustine arrive at his theory of original sin?
Augustine contemplated the origin of sin by observing himself and others, concluding that humans have a natural predisposition to sin, which raised questions about God’s creation.
What is ‘the fall’ in Augustine’s theory?
‘The fall’ refers to the event when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, leading to their banishment from the Garden of Eden and the corruption of human nature.
Define the consequences of the fall according to Augustine.
The consequences of the fall include pain in childbirth for Eve and the necessity for Adam to toil for food, along with the corruption of human nature leading to an irresistible desire to sin.
Explain the concept of ‘massa damnata’ as per Augustine.
Augustine claimed that due to original sin, humanity is considered ‘massa damnata’, meaning the mass of the damned, as all humans inherit this corrupted nature.
What does Augustine mean by ‘seminally present in the loins of Adam’?
Augustine suggested that all humans were ‘seminally present in the loins of Adam’, meaning that all future generations were inherently part of Adam’s nature and thus share in the original sin.
Describe the two types of love according to Augustine.
Augustine identified two types of love: Cupiditas, which is the love of earthly, impermanent things and selfishness, and Caritas, which is a higher, selfless love.
How did Augustine view the relationship between rationality and sexuality before the fall?
Augustine believed that before the fall, rationality had perfect control over bodies, and sexual acts were purely rational, not driven by desire.
What role does the Genesis story play in Augustine’s theory?
Augustine looked to the Genesis story as an explanation for the origin of sin and the subsequent corruption of human nature.
Describe the concept of Caritas in relation to Agape.
Caritas is the Latin version of the Greek word Agape, meaning love of others due to virtue as an expression of God’s will.
Explain the role of concupiscence in original sin according to Augustine.
Concupiscence is a defining feature of original sin, where bodily desire overpowers reason, particularly evident in sexual desire.
How did Augustine view the relationship between the mind and sexual desire?
Augustine believed that sexual organs can be active when the mind does not want them to be and inactive when the mind desires them.
Summarize the scientific perspective on the Fall as presented in the content.
Geneticists argue that genetic diversity indicates humanity could not have descended from two people, suggesting evolution over creation, making the story of Adam and Eve unscientific.
Define Augustine’s homunculus theory in the context of reproduction.
Augustine’s homunculus theory posits that there are little people inside men, leading him to claim that all future generations are ‘in the loins of the father’.
How can Augustine’s views on original sin still be defended despite his errors?
Augustine’s observations of human nature and society, such as his personal experiences, can still support the idea that human nature is corrupted by original sin.
What did G. K. Chesterton and R. Niebuhr contribute to the discussion of original sin?
G. K. Chesterton agreed that evidence for original sin can be seen in everyday life, while R. Niebuhr described it as the one ‘empirically verifiable’ Christian doctrine.
Describe Pelagius’ argument against Augustine’s view of human nature.
Pelagius argued that Augustine’s observations reflect societal influences rather than inherent human nature, suggesting that corruption comes from upbringing rather than original sin.
Explain Pelagius’ view on the habit of doing wrong.
Pelagius believed that the long habit of doing wrong, which starts in childhood, corrupts individuals over time, making it seem like a natural inclination.
How does contemporary evidence support Pelagius’ argument?
Contemporary historical and sociological evidence suggests that humans have progressed since Augustine’s time, supporting Pelagius’ view on the influence of upbringing.
What did Martin Luther King say about the moral universe?
Martin Luther King stated, ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice’, indicating a belief in moral progress over time.
Describe the relationship between human reason and violence according to Steven Pinker.
Steven Pinker attributes the decrease in violence to the power of human reason, suggesting that the average human life is more secure now than at any prior point in history.
Explain Augustine’s view on original sin and its impact on human behavior.
Augustine believed that original sin corrupts humanity to the extent that genuine faith in Jesus is only possible with God’s help, implying that human behavior has morally improved despite this corruption.
Define exclusivism in the context of Augustine’s theology.
Augustine’s exclusivism posits that due to original sin, genuine faith in Jesus can only be achieved through God’s grace, which predestines some individuals to be among the ‘elect’ who will be saved.
How does Augustine view the concept of grace in relation to salvation?
Augustine views grace as the essential gift that saves humans and allows them to enter heaven, emphasizing that it cannot be earned by human effort.
What is the significance of election in Augustine’s theology?
Election refers to God’s choice to grant grace to certain individuals, which Augustine believes is necessary for salvation due to the corruption of original sin.
Explain the concept of predestination as understood by Augustine.
Predestination, according to Augustine, is the belief that an individual’s fate in the afterlife is already fixed, either for heaven or hell, based on God’s will.
What is double predestination in Augustine’s theology?
Double predestination is the view that God has predestined some individuals for heaven and others for hell, a belief that follows from Augustine’s understanding of original sin and grace.
Describe Pelagius’s argument against predestination.
Pelagius argued that predestination makes punishment unjust, claiming it is unethical to blame all humanity for Adam and Eve’s actions, as it undermines moral responsibility.
How does Pelagius view free will in relation to original sin?
Pelagius believed that free will allows individuals to avoid evil, suggesting that without coercion from original sin, moral responsibility and God’s judgment make sense.
What is Augustine’s stance on punishment for sinful beings?
Augustine contends that punishment is just for sinful beings, asserting that while God does not blame humanity for Adam’s sin, the consequence of that sin is the infection of all future humanity with original sin.
Explain Augustine’s view on predestination and original sin.
Augustine argues that predestination is not unjust because humans are corrupted by original sin. If they go to hell, it is deserved due to this corruption.
Describe Augustine’s perspective on God’s judgment.
Augustine believes in a ‘secret yet just judgment of God’ that is inscrutable to humans, suggesting that while it may seem unfair, we should have faith in its justice.
How does Augustine reconcile God’s justice with the existence of suffering, such as a child with cancer?
Augustine would argue that God’s justice is beyond human understanding and that suffering can be part of God’s plan, maintaining that God is still omnibenevolent.
What is Pelagius’s argument regarding moral action and original sin?
Pelagius argues that if God commands moral actions, humans must have the capacity for moral goodness, suggesting that original sin does not inhibit our ability to obey God’s commands.
Define Pelagius’s stance on free will and moral goodness.
Pelagius believes that while God enables humans to do good, the actual choice to do good comes from human free will, making humans responsible for their actions.
How does Pelagius critique Augustine’s view on human nature and morality?
Pelagius critiques Augustine by stating that claiming humans cannot follow God’s commands due to original sin implies that God is ignorant of human frailty.
Explain the implications of Pelagius’s belief in free will for moral responsibility.
Pelagius’s belief in free will implies that humans are to be praised for their choices to do good, as they have the ability to act morally despite original sin.
What biblical evidence does Pelagius use to support his argument?
Pelagius points to instances in the Bible where God commands humans to perform morally good actions, arguing that these commands presuppose human capability to obey.
Discuss the potential conflict between Augustine’s and Pelagius’s views on divine justice and human suffering.
Augustine’s view suggests that suffering can be justly allowed by God, while Pelagius argues that such suffering contradicts the notion of a benevolent God if humans are incapable of moral action.
How might a 21st-century interpretation of love challenge Augustine’s views?
A modern interpretation of love may view Augustine’s ideas as contradictory to the concept of an all-loving God, especially in the context of innocent suffering.
Describe Augustine’s view on human ability to perform good actions.
Augustine argues that humans can desire and accomplish good actions, but not by their own free will; rather, they can only do so with the help of God’s grace.
Explain the significance of Philippians 2:13 in Augustine’s argument against Pelagian free will.
Philippians 2:13 states that ‘it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose,’ highlighting that the ability to will and do good acts comes from God’s power, not human power.
Define Pelagius’ perspective on free will and good actions.
Pelagius believed that all humans possess free will and that when choosing good works, their will is always assisted by divine help.
How does Augustine interpret the relationship between love and free will in his argument?
Augustine posits that love, which is a gift from God, is greater than knowledge and free will. Therefore, good actions stemming from love are ultimately due to God’s grace, not human free will.
Explain Augustine’s critique of Pelagius’ view on the praise due to humans and God.
Augustine argues that if Pelagius’ view is accepted, it implies that humans deserve more praise for their good actions than God does for granting free will, which lacks theological credibility.
What does Romans 5:5 contribute to Augustine’s argument against Pelagianism?
Romans 5:5 states that ‘God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the holy spirit,’ suggesting that love is a divine gift, and thus good actions motivated by love are ultimately thanks to God.
How does Augustine respond to Pelagius’ explanation of divine help?
Augustine finds Pelagius’ explanation inadequate because it does not clarify what God’s help entails, arguing that biblical evidence shows divine help involves God’s direct intervention in our will.
Discuss the implications of Augustine’s argument for the concept of salvation.
Augustine’s argument implies that without divine help, humans cannot choose to do good, and thus, the ability to choose good and merit salvation is contingent upon God’s grace.
What is the main argument Augustine presents against Pelagian free will?
Augustine argues that all good actions are a result of God’s grace and love, and without divine intervention, humans cannot perform good acts, negating Pelagius’ view of independent free will.
Summarize Pelagius’ response to Augustine’s criticisms.
Pelagius responded by asserting that while humans have free will, their choices for good works are always supported by divine help, though he did not specify what this help entails.
