Augustine's teachings on human nature Flashcards
(36 cards)
Who was Augustine’s mother?
Monica, a devout Christian
Who did Augustine follow as a young man?
The Manichees
What did the Manichees believe?
The world is in a cosmic battle of good and evil
People have two different souls (one good and one evil)
Recalls platonic ideas of our soul being trapped in a body of appetites
They looked to Jesus as a role model
(Mother Monica not pleased)
Who was Plotinus?
A neoplatonist
What did Plotinus believe?
There is only the Form of the Good- no evil
Negative views on the body
Our character is like a statue, we constantly chisel to become better
What did Augustine realise as a result of Plotinus?
Evil is not its own substance but a privatio boni
And the Manichees were wrong
What did Augustine question about Plotinus?
If human reason alone could understand the nature of good, there would be no need for Jesus and his guidance
What did Augustine conclude after hearing St Ambrose breath and St Paul’s letter to the Romans?
We cannot rely solely on our own reason
We need God’s grace
We need to turn away from bodily pleasure in order to concentrate on spiritual life
(Mother Monica much happier with this)
What did Mother Monica tell Augustine after his conversion back to Christianity?
That he needed to give up his mistress of 12 years (with a child) and marry someone else
Augustine refused to marry anyone else and instead barred himself from sexual pleasure
What did Augustine do in his time as a celibate bishop?
Destroyed tolerance and non-Christian places of worship
Persecuted heretics (different views on Christianity to him)
What did Augustine believe about human nature before the Fall?
God made Adam and Eve perfectly- but with free will
God commanded them to ‘be fruitful and multiply’ but not lust after one another
Lived in a spirit of loving friendship - concordia
Happy nudists
Prelapsarian ‘state of perfection’
What did Augustine believe about human nature after the Fall?
Evil resulted from the misuse of free will
Sin is ‘seminally present’
Only God has power- we cannot do anything to save ourselves, we need God’s grace
What is cupiditas?
The love of impermanent, changeable, earthly things
The love of self
Leads to spiritual disharmony
What is caritas?
Generous love of others
Latin equivalent of Greek ‘agape’
Leads to spiritual happiness and harmony
What are criticisms of Original Sin?
Christian interpretation that Jesus atoned our sins- pointless now? BUT if we could atone our own sin, the need for Jesus would be made redundant
Babies haven’t done anything? BUT this emphasises and validates the need for baptism
What did Augustine believe about himan will?
It is divided
What story does Augustine tell in his autobiography?
He stole a pear, even though he was not hungry and had plenty of good food at home
Used this as evidence for humans being inherently sinful
Is this a real story? If so, one account of sin cannot equate to every single human being sinful
What is a concupiscence?
Sexual desire and lust for material things which distract people from loving and obeying God
What did Augustine encourage married couples to do?
Once they had enough children, take a vow of celibacy
What did Augustine not allow in Hippo?
Didn’t allow women to visit his house- not even his sister
What did Augustine believe about women?
That they are created equal in God’s image (more sympathetic to his contemporaries)
Not inferior, but do take passive roles
What did Augutine believe about God’s grace?
God’s grace is generous and we are undeserving
It is the only thing that can save people from eternal punishment
God elects people for a place in Heaven
What are some strengths of Augustine’s teachings?
Very influential - doesn’t mean its right though
Realistic about temptation, employs his own (relatable) relatable experiences
Recongises imperfection, this can lead to moral progress
What are some weaknesses of Augustine’s teachings?
Rests on a literal interpretation of Genesis- many Christians believe it is a metaphor and not historically accurate
Many accept Darwinism- evolution and natural selection
Clash with ideas of a benevolent God- seems unjust to punish all of humanity
Is it fair that the only redemption comes through God’s election?
Today, sexual desire is approached in a more healthy and shame-free way (may be due to androcentrism)
