Augustine's teachings on the fall Flashcards
How did Thomas Hobbs agree with Augustine?
Hobbs believed that humanity by nature was sinful. He agreed with the idea that sexual desire is dangerous and should be limited. He came to this conclusion, agreeing with Augustine that sin was tranferable from Adam and Eve, so must be passed down through sexual acts. Therefore all of humanity must be lustful and selfish only working together in their best interests, like Adam & Eve were.
What is a counter-argument to Thomas Hobbs’ argument.
SIN IS NOT AND CANNOT BE TRANSFERABLE. His argument only works if one believes in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for humanities salvation as this is how we’d gain God’s grace. The sacrificial nature of salvation is key to understanding how to overcome human’s sinful nature, if a person is not religious, Hobbs’ and Augustine’s arguments fall apart.
What is Richard Dawkins’ argument against Augustine’s original sin.
His overall scientific beliefs condradict the entire idea of the fall and A&E as he disregards them as real people or real events all-together. He argues that humans have evolved from far less intelligent beings that do not have the ability to reason or make valuable decisions. The argument that we should recive forgiveness from people’s transgressions (who potentially did not even exist) proves that Christianity, and therefore Augustine, is too obsessed with guilt and sin. This is unjust and dangerous.
What was John Locke’s argument against Augustine.
John Locke, an early enlightenment figure, argued that humans are born with a ‘blank slate’ meaning that we have the choie to do good or evil and learn what the rght thing is to do. This moves away from Augustine’s pessimistic and elitist view that is God’s grace. IT is pessimistic as it suggests that we have only one way to be saved/enter heaven. According to Locke we have our own choices and free will.
What is a strength of Augustine’s views to do with the inclusion of himself in his ideas.
Augustine does not cast judgements from on high. He does not seperate himself from his own theory, recognising his own weaknesses and then seeking truth for humanities ones also. The personal challenges are truthful for humanity today not just for Augustine, they are convincing because of their sincerity.
What is strength of God’s grace?
-It is not pessimistic as God’s grace offers a way to be saved for the sinful nature of humantity.
-We also cannot always solve problems ourselves so perhaps he is right in thinking that we need’s God help to do so.
- Just because we dont like the idea of our own sinful nature doesnt make it untrue. We could be inherently sinful and corrupt.
- He suggests that we cannot reach moral perfection on our own as we do not have the capacity for it as God does. Rather than being naively optimistic about how things will work out for humanity its better to listen to Augustine and realise we need God’s Grace.
Why might being non-religious be an issue for believing God’s grace?
They will not take the fall or Adam and Eve as real life events so whywould they belive in the trangression of two potential people that equates to all of humanities sins for the rest of time. In this sense it makes no sense at all to talk about before or after the fall if it never occored.
What are the weaknesses of God’s grace
-Seems to argue that there is nothing we can do to repair the damage done by the fall ourselves as God predetermines heaven. This is very pessimistic and not entirely within the view of Christianity as Christians would potentially argue what there was every need to continue to strive for morality ourselves.
-Even if there is a possiblity of salvation trhough God’s grace it doesnt equate to our own sense of justice. People cannot be judged for the sins of others for this is unfair.
