RS a level DCT - st augustine on human nature

content and evaluation

how does Christianity view humanity? summarise in three points

created by God

“fallen” in nature

can be redeemed

three things that Genesis 1 shows about human nature

humans have a special relationship with God

dominion

stewardship

three things that Genesis 2 shows about human nature

women made after men

Adam names all the animals so he has dominion

humans are innocent and good

three things from Genesis 3 about human nature pre-fall

humans living in a “state of perfection”

special friendship with each other and God

lived without shame

what is concupiscence

human inclination to sin and be driven by lust, desires and selfishness

three aspects of post-fall human nature

concupiscence, original sin, no free will

what is caritas

agape. an expression of God’s eternal law, a respect and love for mankind. leads to spiritual happiness

what is cupiditas

love of changeable, earthly things. leads to unhappiness

what did Pelagius argue, regarding human nature

humans have the free will to be morally pure if they try to be

quote from Romans about sin. state the verses

“I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” Romans 7:14-25

what did society look like pre and post fall?

pre-fall it was harmonious

post-fall people needed a forceful political authority to prevent them from acting on their sinful desires

what was Augustine’s opinion on women

they should take passive roles in the home, but did not criticize them for being evil or weak because of Eve’s sin

what is earthly peace

the compromise between human’s sinful will which everyone should strive towards

an earthly society must be ruled by force, promoting self-control

what is heavenly peace

a perfect way to live, known after death through the grace of God

what is ecclesia

heavenly society

does Augustine believe in limited election

yes

what is grace

God’s love and mercy which is undeserved by humans

what is summum bonum

the state of eternal happiness which comes from being in the presence of God. this is only awarded to those who set their hearts on God and accept his grace

how does Augustine think sin is carried down

through intercourse as everyone was seminally present in Adam

why can we now access God’s grace, post-fall?

Jesus’ sacrifice

four limitations of Augustine’s argument

Barclay argues that we do not have free will for different reasons

science shows that not all humans were seminally present in Adam

Irenaean theodicy suggests humans are moving towards perfection rather than away from it

deterministic

three strengths of Augustine’s argument

gives meaning to Jesus’ sacrifice

realistic and therefore comforting

based in Genesis and Romans

Does Pelagius think sin is a free choice

Yes

Why does Pelagius think that humans are not inherently sinful

because then god’s expectations for humans to be moral would be a demand for the impossible

quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on original sin

“contracted not committed”

What peace did Augustine argue society needs

earthly peace, which is temporary and falls around material interests e.g. learning virtues like self control, falling short of heavenly peace