Augustine + Human Nature DCT

Question 1

What is meant by ‘human nature’?

Answer 1

The set of dispositions humans are born with.

Question 2

Is human nature shaped by culture or society according to the idea?

Answer 2

No, it is considered natural and independent of culture.

Question 3

Which philosopher claimed human nature is corrupted by original sin?

Answer 3

Augustine.

Question 4

Which book of the Bible influenced Augustine’s theory?

Answer 4

Genesis.

Question 5

What was Augustine trying to explain with his theory?

Answer 5

The origin of sin.

Question 6

What was the Garden of Eden?

Answer 6

A perfect place where Adam and Eve lived in harmony with nature and each other.

Question 7

What command did God give Adam and Eve in Eden?

Answer 7

To go forth and multiply.

Question 8

According to Augustine, how was sex before the fall?

Answer 8

Purely rational and not driven by desire.

Question 9

What was the result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience?

Answer 9

They were banished from Eden and introduced sin into human nature.

Question 10

What is the theological term for Adam and Eve’s disobedience?

Answer 10

The Fall.

Question 11

What punishment did God give Eve after the Fall?

Answer 11

Pain in childbirth.

Question 12

What punishment did God give Adam after the Fall?

Answer 12

He had to toil the land for food.

Question 13

What is ‘original sin’?

Answer 13

A corrupted human nature inherited from Adam and Eve.

Question 14

What does ‘seminally present in the loins of Adam’ mean?

Answer 14

All humans were present in Adam and inherited his sin.

Question 15

What does ‘vitiated through sin’ mean?

Answer 15

Corrupted or spoiled due to sin.

Question 16

What are the two types of love in Augustine’s theory?

Answer 16

Cupiditas and Caritas.

Question 17

What is ‘Cupiditas’?

Answer 17

Love of selfish, temporary things.

Question 18

What is ‘Caritas’?

Answer 18

Selfless, virtuous love aligned with God’s will.

Question 19

What is ‘concupiscence’?

Answer 19

Bodily desires overpowering reason, especially sexual desire.

Question 20

Why did Augustine view sexual organs as evidence of original sin?

Answer 20

They can act independently of the will.

Question 21

What do geneticists say about the story of Adam and Eve?

Answer 21

Genetic diversity disproves descent from two people.

Question 22

What scientific theory contradicts Augustine’s view of creation?

Answer 22

Evolution.

Question 23

What is the homunculus theory?

Answer 23

A belief that tiny humans exist inside male semen.

Question 24

Why is Augustine’s biological theory of reproduction incorrect?

Answer 24

He lacked scientific understanding and used outdated theories.

Question 25

Can Augustine’s idea of original sin still hold without the Fall story?

Answer 25

Yes, based on observations of human nature.

Question 26

What example did Augustine use to show human sinfulness?

Answer 26

The story of stealing pears.

Question 27

What did Chesterton say about original sin?

Answer 27

You can see it 'in the street'.

Question 28

What did Niebuhr call original sin?

Answer 28

An empirically verifiable Christian doctrine.

Question 29

What did Pelagius say influenced human evil?

Answer 29

Corrupt upbringing and habit.

Question 30

What is 'educated in evil'?

Answer 30

Pelagius' term for how society trains people to sin.

Question 31

What did Pelagius say about sin becoming nature?

Answer 31

Sin becomes so habitual it feels natural.

Question 32

What does Pelagius believe about free will?

Answer 32

Humans have it and are responsible for their actions.

Question 33

Why does Pelagius reject predestination?

Answer 33

Because it removes personal moral responsibility.

Question 34

What does Pelagius say about God's commands?

Answer 34

They imply we must be able to obey, so we must have free will.

Question 35

What is Pelagius' view on praise for good actions?

Answer 35

Humans deserve praise for choosing to do good.

Question 36

What is 'grace' according to Augustine?

Answer 36

A gift from God that enables humans to be saved.

Question 37

What is 'election'?

Answer 37

God choosing some people to receive grace and be saved.

Question 38

What is predestination?

Answer 38

The belief that our fate is predetermined by God.

Question 39

What is double predestination?

Answer 39

Some are chosen for heaven, others for hell.

Question 40

Why does Augustine think we need grace?

Answer 40

We are too corrupted by original sin to do good by ourselves.

Question 41

What verse supports grace as a gift?

Answer 41

Ephesians 2:8 - grace is not something we can earn.

Question 42

What verse supports God enabling good acts?

Answer 42

Philippians 2:13 - God works in us to act and will good.

Question 43

Why does Augustine say predestination is not unjust?

Answer 43

Because original sin makes us deserving of punishment.

Question 44

What does 'massa damnata' imply about humanity?

Answer 44

That all humans deserve damnation without grace.

Question 45

What Psalm does Augustine quote to justify God's justice?

Answer 45

Psalm 25:10 - 'All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth'.

Question 46

What does Augustine say about judging God's justice?

Answer 46

It is inscrutable – beyond human understanding.

Question 47

Why does original sin seem unfair?

Answer 47

Because it punishes people for Adam’s actions.

Question 48

Why is it hard to accept Augustine’s view of justice today?

Answer 48

It contradicts modern ideas of love and fairness.

Question 49

Why is a child with cancer a problem for Augustine's view?

Answer 49

It's hard to see how this could be just punishment for sin.

Question 50

What does Pelagius think about God’s moral commands?

Answer 50

They mean we must be able to obey them.

Question 51

What happens if humans are too corrupted to obey God?

Answer 51

It makes God's commands pointless.

Question 52

What attitude does Pelagius say original sin encourages?

Answer 52

A fatalistic and lazy attitude toward morality.

Question 53

What does Pelagius say about God's awareness?

Answer 53

God would not command what humans cannot do.

Question 54

How does Pelagius define divine help?

Answer 54

God gives us free will to choose good.

Question 55

What is the role of free will in doing good?

Answer 55

It is the human choice to act on the ability given by God.

Question 56

What is Augustine’s view on good acts?

Answer 56

They result from divine love, not free will.

Question 57

What Bible verse does Augustine use to argue love is from God?

Answer 57

Romans 5:5 - God's love poured into our hearts.

Question 58

Why does Augustine reject Pelagius’ praise of humans?

Answer 58

Because it overlooks God’s role in providing the ability to love.

Question 59

What does Pelagius mean by 'divine help'?

Answer 59

Assistance in choosing to do good.

Question 60

Why does Augustine find Pelagius' divine help inadequate?

Answer 60

It lacks clarity on what the help really involves.

Question 61

What does Augustine say divine help includes?

Answer 61

God directly intervening in our will.

Question 62

Why does Augustine reject the idea that we earn salvation?

Answer 62

Because salvation is only possible through grace.

Question 63

Can good acts be credited to humans in Augustine’s view?

Answer 63

No, they are enabled by God’s grace.

Question 64

What does Augustine argue about who Jesus' teachings apply to?

Answer 64

That they were only for those who had received grace.

Question 65

Why does Augustine believe not everyone can follow Jesus' teachings?

Answer 65

Because original sin makes it impossible without divine grace.

Question 66

Why does this argument fail according to critics?

Answer 66

Because Jesus addressed large crowds, not just the elect.

Question 67

How does Jesus’ teaching in Luke 5:31–32 challenge Augustine?

Answer 67

Jesus says he came to call sinners, implying they can repent and be saved.

Question 68

What does the Sermon on the Mount suggest about Jesus' audience?

Answer 68

It was aimed at everyone, not just those predestined to be saved.

Question 69

How does Pelagius use Jesus’ moral teachings to criticise Augustine?

Answer 69

He argues the Bible shows Jesus believed people could choose to follow him.

Question 70

What contradiction does Pelagius point out in Augustine's theory?

Answer 70

The Bible's universal moral call contradicts Augustine’s idea that only the elect can respond.

Question 71

What does Pelagius believe about Jesus' moral commands?

Answer 71

They prove people must have the ability to follow them.

Question 72

Why does Augustine struggle to explain biblical teachings?

Answer 72

Because they appear to offer salvation to all, not just the elect.

Question 73

What is the implication of Jesus calling sinners to repentance?

Answer 73

That sinners have the capacity to respond and change.