Western Heritage Exam 2

What is total depravity?

The idea that humanity is corrupt and sinful, and humans can only do good through God’s help.

What is partial depravity?

The idea that humans are partially damaged, and can still do some good without the help of God

What do you mean by irresistible grace?

When god chooses you to have grace, it is so good that cannot be rejected

What is free will in Augustine?

It is given to us by God and an intermediate of good since we can do good as well as evil

What is free will in Augustine?

Because of total depravity we humans have the ability to choose good or evil. Without grace we can never do good, but God’s grace is so good that we can never turn it down.

What is the definition of philosophy and theology in Aquinas

Theology is the highest form of studying. Philosophy is those that can be grasped by reason, and theology, those that are beyond simple rational thinking. Philosophy is fallible because of the weak mind and theology studies what is truth and infallible because it is through divine revelation.

What is Pelagianism

A human soul is born 100 percent good yet chooses evil meaning that humans are not corrupted and sin is a personal choice.

What is evilness in Augustine?

Augustine rejects the mechanistic idea (good and evil are eternal principles that fight each other). Evil is the negation of good and corruption of nature. This is from our free will.

What the 6 divisions of grace in Aquinas? (read what each means on the notes)

1. Sanctifying grace

2. gratuitous grace

3. prevenient grace

4. Subsequent grace

5. operative grace

6. Co-operative grace

Explain Aquinas’ proof of God’s existence? 4 points

1. Everything in the universe moves but nothing can move to act by itself but must be moved from another. There must be a first mover, therefore Everything is potent (God is pure act)

2. Everything has a cause but none is it’s own cause there must be a first cause (God)

3. Graduation of perfection in beings. Some beings are better than others and is only possible because of their proximity to the highest degree of goodness, therefore there must be a being of perfectness, God.

4. teleological, each things moves towards an end proper to them and this cannot happen by chance. This is God

Explain concept of grace, free will, predestination and human nature in Augustine. 3pts

1. There is a absolute need for grace and it is irresistible, we cannot be redeemed by our own but it is through God’s grace which enables humans to make the right choices

2. Free will can be moved by grace but only if God chooses to give it.

3. We are predestined to either have grace and be good or not have grace and be evil.

What is Aquinas’ goal of ethics, the natural law, and justice? 3 pts

1. Goal of ethics is happiness (Aristotle) it can only be achieved through God who gives us the natural law and tells us what is right and wrong

2. God has put in us the natural law and tells us what we need to do like human conscience (ex. we don’t have wings because we were not meant to fly) and that everyone has a conscience that tells us the difference between right and wrong.

3. Justice is voluntary, constant, and perpetual. It is something you always do because it has been given to you and a man is just because he respects the rights of others. So doing what you are supposed to do is respectful to others.