Augustine teaching on human nature Flashcards
What must you know for Augustine
His interpretation of the fall in genesis 3
Gods grace and how it saves some people
Original sin and how its passed through sex
Relationship before and after fall
before: harmony, peaceful, Adam and Eve were married as friends, no lust,
after: shame, naked, lust, corrupt, selfish desires
What does Augustine think about people
We’re all corrupt and all have original sin as we are from the loins of Adam. We have no control over our behaviours and we have lust.
What does Paul say
Romans 7: ‘I do not understand what I do. for what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do’
What’s the effects on the fall in human societies
Slavery, lust and war is the effect of the fall on societies. Augustine argues that we require better self control
Weakness with Augustine’s view on human nature
It’s unfair to say that humanity is flawed based on an interpretation of a story.
There’s no chance for humans to find good in their own way
What about evolution
Strengths with Augustine’s view on human nature
Sexual desires do play a role in human life
The Roman Catholic Church says that humans are divided and need the help of God to develop
Freuds theory of the libido
What is the only way Augustine thinks humans can be redeemed
Through Gods grace (summum bonum, meaning highest or greatest good)
What is Gods grace
Humans can’t choose right from wrong, Gods grace allows that
Is Gods grace available to all?
No, only a select few.
Why is Augustine’s views pessimistic
We are tainted
We cannot self develop
We aren’t truly free
Why is Augustine’s view optimistic
Gods grace is given to those who need it
Jesus died on the cross for us
Faith points people to summum bonum
Who is Pelagius
Some guy who countered Augustine in everything, he believed that suffering was part of a greater plan, that everyone receives Gods grace and that we have free will
Can the fall be seen as symbolic
Yeah because it may just show the relationship between man and God and how we must develop to do good
