Augustine's teaching on human nature (DCT)

Who was Augustine?

• 4-5th century Christian theologian and philosopher (354 - 430) who writing shaped Western Christian though, especially on sin, grace and human nature

What is Augustine’s view of human nature before the Fall?

Humans made imago Dei (image of God) - rational, morally pure. Live in perfect harmony with God and creation

What does imago Dei mean for Augustine?

Humans share characteristics with God e.g. reason, free will, love, but are different and depend on Him

What was the Garden of Eden like for Augustine?

Prelapsarian (before Fall) - harmony between soul, body and will. Adam and Eve had free will but chose to love God

What is concupiscence?

Disordered desire/inclination to sin that entered human nature after the Fall; particularly linked to sexual desire and self-love (cupiditas) over God-love (caritas)

What happened during the Fall (Genesis 3)?

Humanity misused free will, Adam and Eve’s disobedience corrupted human nature, leading to original sin and a separation from God

What is original sin?

Inherited state of sinfulness and moral weakness passed from Adam to all humans, affecting will and reason

What are the 2 key aspects of human will for Augustine?

• Cupiditas - self-love, earthly desire

• Caritas - selfless, God-centred

• After Fall, Cupiditas dominates human nature

What is the divided will?

Humans know what is right, but are unable to act on it consistently because the will is weakened and corrupted by sin

How is salvation possible for Augustine?

Divine grace - humans cannot save themselves, God’s grace restores what was lost through sin

What is grace for Augustine?

Free and unearned gift from God that enables humans to turn towards Him and be saved from sin

What is the role of Christ in restoring human nature?

Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection make it possible for grace to heal the damage caused by sin and restore the relationship with God

How does Augustine’s view of human nature influence views on free will?

Humans have free will, but it is enslaved to sin - true  freedom comes through God’s grace

What does massa damnata mean?

Mass of the damned - humanity’s collective fallen state deserving punishment

What are criticisms of Augustine’s teachings on human nature?

• Pelagius - humans responsible for their actions, not born sinful

• Modern thinkers - evolution undermines historical Fall

• Feminist critique - blaming Eve promotes sexism

• Psychology - Freud and others suggest guild and desire are natural, not sinful

What were Augustine’s key influences?

• Bible - Genesis, Romans 7

• Platonism/neo-Platonism - soul's longing for the Good

• Manichaeism - dualism between good and evil (later rejected)

How does Augustine’s view affect Christian ethics?

Emphasises humility, dependence on God, need for grace rather than human achievement for moral goodness

How does Augustine link human sexuality to the Fall?

Sexual desire became a symbol of disordered love and the loss of control over the body after Fall

What is the eschatological hope in Augustine’s view?

Restoration through God’s grace in the afterlife - City of God where humanity’s nature will be perfected and sin overcome

How can Augustine’s teaching be seen as both pessimistic and hopeful?

Pessimistic - human nature’s corruption

Hopeful - salvation through divine grace possible