Augustine's Theodicy Flashcards
What did Augustine say was the definition of evil?
A privation (lack) of good e.g blindness
What did Augustine’s theodicy begin with?
Genesis 1 with Adam and Eve in the Garden of eden, which was perfect with no suffering
What is the Hierarchy of Beings?
Angels then humans then animals
What are humans made in?
The image and likeness of God
What caused natural evil according to Augustine?
The Fall of Adam and Eve. They chose to disobey God and give in to temptation and pick the apple from the tree. This is what caused the disharmony in nature.
What caused moral evil according to Augustine?
The Angel Lucifer choosing to rebel against God
Why are all humans punished?
All humans are ‘seminally present’ in Adam, therefore all humans inherit Adam’s ‘original sin’ of picking the apple and the tendency to do evil because they were all present
How did sin and death enter the world?
Through the disobedience of Adam and Eve
Why does God allow evil?
Because all humans deserve to be punished for the original sin. God continues to allow evil and sustains a world in which moral and natural evil flourish
How does God provide a solution?
In Jesus who dies (self sacrifice) to save the people from Adam’s sin
What did God give humans?
Free will so they can choose to reject evil and choose good IF they accept the salvation Jesus brings
What did Augustine say happens at the end of a persons lifetime?
Judgement day. They will either be rewarded with eternal happiness
What time of theodicy is Augustine’s theodicy?
A soul-deciding theodicy
What is free will?
A valuable part of being a human being which allows them to make choices between good and evil.
What is the aesthetic argument?
Allowing evil enables us to appreciate the good
