Augustine on Human Nature

Why did Augustine believe human nature is corrupt?

Augustine observed corruption in himself and society. His famous example is stealing a pear as a child purely for the pleasure of sinning, showing humans desire evil for its own sake.

Why did Augustine think corruption could not come from God?

God is omnibenevolent, so would not create humans corrupt. Therefore, humans must originally have been created perfect and then corrupted themselves.

What was humanity’s original state according to Augustine?

Humans were created in a state of original perfection called concordia, meaning harmony with God, each other, and themselves.

What was human sexuality like before the Fall?

Adam and Eve had sexual relations without lust. Augustine compared it to friendship, with complete rational control over bodily desires.

What caused the Fall according to Augustine?

Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, ruining their perfect state.

What is original sin?

The corruption of human nature caused by the Fall, which affects all humans and inclines them towards sin.

How did Augustine explain the transmission of original sin?

Using the homunculus theory, Augustine believed all future humans were ‘seminally present’ in Adam. When Adam sinned, all humanity was vitiated by that sin.

What is concupiscence?

Irresistible sinful desires that overpower human rational control, making sin inevitable.

How does original sin affect love?

It causes an imbalance between cupiditas (self-love) and caritas (selfless love), leading to excessive selfishness and attachment to worldly things.

Does Augustine believe humans are still morally responsible?

Yes. Even though concupiscence is powerful, humans still ‘go along with’ sin and are therefore blameworthy.

How does evolution challenge Augustine’s account?

Evolution shows there was no historical Fall and that humanity could not have descended from just two people, suggesting Adam and Eve are fictional.

Why is Augustine’s theory of reproduction rejected today?

Modern genetics disproves the idea that traits like sin can be inherited. This view resembles Lamarckism, which is scientifically discredited.

How does Niebuhr defend original sin?

He claims original sin is the only empirically verifiable Christian doctrine, supported by historical evils like Nazism.

How does C. K. Chesterton support Augustine?

He argues original sin is obvious from everyday human behaviour — you can see it ‘in the street’.

How does Stephen Pinker challenge original sin?

Pinker’s sociological data shows long-term declines in violence and crime, suggesting moral improvement is possible.

Why does Pinker’s evidence undermine Augustine?

If concupiscence were irresistible, moral progress would be impossible — yet history shows improvement.

How does Pelagius explain immorality?

Through social conditioning, which he calls being ‘educated in evil’, rather than a corrupted nature.

How could Freud explain Augustine’s pear story?

As enjoyment of rebelling against repressive social norms rather than evidence of innate sinfulness.

What sociological evidence supports Pelagius?

How does evolution offer a simpler explanation of evil?

Selfishness and aggression can be explained as survival traits rather than theological corruption.

Why does Augustine think humans cannot earn salvation?

Original sin corrupts us so deeply that we can never deserve heaven by our own efforts.

What is grace according to Augustine?

A free gift from God that sanctifies individuals and protects them from the full effects of original sin.

How does Augustine link grace to faith?

Original sin inhibits faith; only through grace can someone truly believe and persevere in Christ.

Why can grace not be earned?

St Paul describes grace as a “gift” (Ephesians 2:8), meaning humans cannot take credit for it.

What does Augustine mean by predestination?

God grants grace before birth to ‘the elect’, who are predestined for salvation.

How does Augustine use Romans 8?

He cites Paul’s claim that God ‘predestined’ those he foreknew for justification and glorification.

What happens to those without grace?

They are damned by original sin and will go to hell.

Why does Pelagius reject original sin?

It is unfair to punish people for the actions of their ancestors, which they had no control over.

How does Hannah Arendt support Pelagius?

She argues guilt is “strictly personal”, making collective guilt incoherent.

Why is predestination incompatible with a loving God?

A loving God would not condemn someone to hell before they are born.

Why is predestination unjust?

It implies even innocent children (e.g. dying of cancer) deserve hell due to original sin.

What does Pelagius conclude about predestination?

It would make God the only sinner, since humans lack genuine responsibility.

Why does Pelagius think Augustine is unbiblical?

The Bible repeatedly commands humans to do good, implying we are capable of obeying.

Why would God’s commands contradict original sin?

God would not command what humans are incapable of doing, nor be ignorant of such incapacity.

What is Augustine’s response to this critique?

Humans can obey God — but only if they receive grace.

How does Augustine explain Jesus’ moral teachings?

They were intended only for those who had received grace and were capable of obeying them.

Why does this defence fail?

Jesus preached to large crowds, sinners, and outcasts, implying his teachings were for everyone.

How does Luke 5:31–32 challenge Augustine?

Jesus says he came for sinners, implying they are capable of repentance and moral change.

What final conclusion supports Pelagius?

The Bible presents moral teachings as universally applicable, contradicting Augustine’s view of the elect.