ST AUGUSTINE ON HUMAN NATURE

Question 1

Original Sin

Answer 1

• Sin which everyone is born with; passed through sex
• It is gained from human’s misuse of God-given free will- God didnt cause original sin

Question 2

Caritas

Answer 2

• Generous love of human things
• Self sacrificing and divine

Question 3

Cupiditas

Answer 3

Selfish love of temporary material things

Question 4

Concordia

Answer 4

Loving friendship

Question 5

Privatio Boni

Answer 5

The world is flawed as it is filled with humans

Question 6

Concupiscence

Answer 6

Lust for the material world- we are inclined towards sin

Question 7

What did Augustine have to say about the creation of humanity? (4)

Answer 7

• Humans made perfect-imago dei (in his image) to be stewards of creation under God
• Adam and Eve lived in concordia
• There was no need for oppressive govs before the fall
• A + E had sex to reproduce but it wasnt tainted with lust

Question 8

The Fall

Answer 8

• The moment when Adam and Eve disobeyed God
• Original Sin is a consequence of The Fall- we use our free will for evil now because of OG sin

Question 9

What did Augustine have to say about Original Sin?

Answer 9

• Inherited from Adam and Eve
• Means humans are by nature inclined to disobey
• It permeates everything- even peace is sinful means of material gain
• Means we need oppressive govs to rule over us

Question 10

Augustine’s view on human nature and if we can be saved

Answer 10

• Humans are selfish and sinful- unable to do anything wholly good
• We cannot do anything to save ourselves except trust in Jesus’ sacrifice

Question 11

Augustine’s teachings about Love

Answer 11

• Humans are driven in two directions by love- cupiditas and caritas
• before fall they were perfectly balanced
• Now we are driven by selfish love

Question 12

Augustine’s view on Grace

Answer 12

• Humans cannot be reconciled with God through their own efforts- our reason cannot allow us into heaven
• Grace is only way into heaven and its not earned- gift from God
• Humanity is destined for hell but God has allowed some into Heaven

Question 13

Augustine’s teaching of 2 cities

Answer 13

• City of Man: plagued with sin, pulls people away from God
• City of God: sinless and divinely inspired, leading humankind to eternal goodness

Question 14

What is Augustine’s story- where is it found and summarise it

Answer 14

• Confessions; The Pear Tree story
• He picked pears off a tree to get the rush of stealing, not to get pears
• Augustine uses this to show humans are bad by nature

Question 15

Strengths of Augustine’s story

Answer 15

• it’s a human experience
• seems real and relatable

Question 16

Weaknesses of Augustine’s story

Answer 16

• very similar to the fall- seems fabricated
• Cherry picks one experience of his and applies it to everyone else

Question 17

Who opposes Augustine’s beliefs?

Answer 17

PELAGIUS

Question 18

Pelagius’ argument on human nature

Answer 18

• It’s neutral- we aren’t tainted by Adam and Eve’s sin and can choose to be good or bad
• In order to ‘live rightly’ we need God to educate us to follow his and Jesus’ teachings

Question 19

Grace for Pelagius

Answer 19

• A free gift from God when he sent Jesus down to atone for humanity’s sins
• In order to be saved, humanity needs to look up to both God’s law and Jesus’ teachings

Question 20

Critcism of Pelagius (including Augustine’s)

Answer 20

• If original sin doesn’t exist, Jesus’ sacrifice was for nothing. Lack of og sin and Jesus’ sacrifice cannot co-exist
• Augustine: pelagius doesnt give a biblical argument