Augustine on Human Nature

Summary

This video explores Augustine's teachings on human nature, focusing on the profound impact of the Fall. Augustine believed that before the Fall, humans existed in harmony, with body, will, and reason in balance. After the Fall, pride led to the breakdown of this harmony, resulting in weakened willpower and uncontrolled desires, including lust. Augustine's views on original sin, the transmission of sin, and the necessity of God's grace for salvation are discussed, as well as modern critiques by figures like Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker, alongside contrasting theological perspectives.

Takeaways

• 📜 Augustine's teachings on human nature are central to Christian thought and deeply influenced by the concept of 'the Fall'.
• 👥 Augustine was influenced early in life by the Manicheans (dualist thinkers) and later by Platonism (followers of Plato).
• 🌳 According to Augustine, before 'the Fall', Adam and Eve lived in harmony, with their bodies, will, and reason perfectly balanced.
• ❤️ Augustine viewed human relationships, particularly marriage, as based on friendship, with sex being secondary and for reproduction only.
• 🍎 The Fall was caused by human pride, as Adam and Eve sought to be like God, leading to a disruption in their relationship with Him.
• ⚔️ After the Fall, Augustine explains that the will became weakened, leading humans to struggle with desires for food and sex.
• 👶 Augustine's idea of 'original sin' suggests that sin is transmitted through reproduction and that all humans inherit this flawed nature.
• ✝️ Augustine believed that salvation comes through God's grace, with Jesus Christ's death being key to overcoming original sin.
• 🧠 Modern critics like Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker view Augustine's ideas, particularly original sin, as irrational and outdated.
• 🌍 Theologians like Reinhold Niebuhr argued that rejecting the concept of sin leads to dangerous moral complacency, as seen in modern history.

Q & A

What were the two main influences on Augustine's early life?

Augustine was influenced by the Manicheans, who believed in a dualistic battle between light and darkness, and the Platonists, who followed the teachings of Plato.

How did Augustine view human nature before and after the Fall?

Before the Fall, Augustine believed human nature was in harmony, with the body, will, and reason balanced. After the Fall, this harmony was disrupted, leading to a weakened will and a disordered relationship with God and others.

What role does pride play in Augustine's understanding of the Fall?

Augustine viewed pride as the root cause of the Fall. Adam and Eve's desire to be like God, which led them to eat the forbidden fruit, was driven by pride, which he classified as disobedience and the origin of all vices.

How does Augustine's view of friendship differ from his view of sexual relationships?

Augustine believed that friendship was the highest form of human existence, especially between Adam and Eve before the Fall. Sex was secondary to friendship and was not lustful, only intended for reproduction.

What is Augustine's concept of 'double death'?

Augustine's 'double death' refers to the death of the human relationship with God after the Fall and the physical mortality that humans experience as a result of original sin.

How does Augustine explain the transmission of sin?

Augustine believed that sin is transmitted through reproduction. While babies may be born without sin, they inherit the capacity to sin due to human nature's corruption.

What is Augustine's stance on free will and predestination?

Augustine initially believed in free will but later leaned toward predestination, concluding that human nature's susceptibility to sin, ignorance, and death made it impossible for most people to be saved without divine intervention.

How does Augustine believe the damaged will can be saved?

Augustine believed that the will could only be saved through God's grace, specifically through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which removes the original sin inherited from Adam and Eve.

How do modern interpretations of Augustine’s teachings on the Fall differ from traditional views?

Many modern Christians interpret the Fall as an allegory for spiritual and psychological life rather than a historical event, seeing it as a representation of human susceptibility to temptation and imperfection.

What criticisms have been made against Augustine’s views on original sin and sexuality?

Critics like Richard Dawkins and Steven Pinker argue that Augustine’s views on original sin are irrational, with Dawkins criticizing the focus on sin and guilt, while Pinker blames religion, especially Christianity, for social ills related to repression. Augustine’s emphasis on sex has also been linked to centuries of guilt and repression.