Defending natural theology through reason against original sin Flashcards
Q: How could natural theology through reason be defended against the concept of original sin?
Natural theology through reason could be defended
A: By denying the existence of original sin.
Q: Which theologians are known for rejecting the doctrine of original sin?
Natural theology through reason could be defended
A: Pelagius and some liberal Christians.
Q: What argument do liberal Christians use against the literal interpretation of the Genesis creation story and the fall?
Natural theology through reason could be defended
A: Scientific evidence suggests that we cannot take the Genesis story of creation, including the fall, as literal events.
Q: If the Genesis story and the fall are not literal, what implication does that have on Augustine’s doctrine of original sin?
Natural theology through reason could be defended
A: Augustine cannot be correct in claiming that humanity was cursed by original sin.
Q: How do Aquinas and Bruner approach the reconciliation of natural theology with the doctrine of original sin?
Natural theology through reason could be defended ,
A: They attempt to reconcile original sin with natural theology rather than denying original sin.
Q: Do all theologians who disagree with Augustine about a literal fall reject the doctrine of original sin?
Natural theology through reason could be defended However,
A: No, many still hold to the doctrine of original sin even if they don’t agree with Augustine about a literal fall or inherited original sin.
Q: How can Augustine’s views on human nature be defended?
Natural theology through reason could be defended However,
A: Augustine’s views on human nature can be derived from his observations of himself and his society.
Q: What childhood story did Augustine use to illustrate his belief in original sin?
Natural theology through reason could be defended However,
A: Augustine told a story about stealing a pear from a garden as a child, not out of hunger but for the pleasure of sinning.
Q: What conclusion did Augustine draw from his childhood experience of stealing a pear?
Natural theology through reason could be defended However,
A: He concluded that even children desire to sin and therefore must be born with a sinful nature.
Q: What does Augustine observe as evidence for original sin in human behavior?
Natural theology through reason could be defended However,
A: Augustine observed concupiscence, where people’s will is overwhelmed by bodily desires, as evidence for original sin.
Pelagius: Augustine’s observations reflect his society, not human nature.
Q: What is Pelagius’s view on Augustine’s observations of human nature?
Pelagius: Augustine’s observations reflect his society, not human nature.
A: Pelagius argues that Augustine’s observations reflect his society, not human nature.
Q: How does Pelagius’s view differ from that of Aquinas and Brunner regarding original sin?
Pelagius: Augustine’s observations reflect his society, not human nature.
A: Pelagius completely denies the Augustinian doctrine of original sin, while Aquinas and Brunner attempt to reconcile it with their beliefs.
Q: What does Pelagius believe about the inclination towards evil in humans?
Pelagius: Augustine’s observations reflect his society, not human nature.
A: Pelagius believes that the inclination towards evil is due to our upbringing and not our natural state.
Q: According to Pelagius, why does it seem that humans have a nature inclined towards evil?
Pelagius: Augustine’s observations reflect his society, not human nature.
A: It seems that way because of the way we are raised and thoroughly corrupted by our upbringing, which Pelagius calls “educated in evil.”
