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Augustine (Human Relationships after Fall (There are two types of love:…
Augustine
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Possible Strengths
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He understands and attempts to account for human emotion, especially contradictory ones.
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He does not pretend that anything is possible for human nature, instead he emphasises human dependence on the grace of God.
Possible Weakness'
The idea of Original Sin can appear unattractive in an era when we are used to thinking of ourselves as individuals, rather than as part of a whole species.
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Theory of evolution might make it difficult to accept that humanity is so very different in nature and purpose from other animals and it calls into question the historical truth of the Fall.
Augustine's focus on sin and corruption distorts the hopeful Christian message of the goodness and love of God.
Some argue that Augustine assumes there is such a thing as 'human nature', whereas in fact we each have our own natures and cannot be classified together.
Life and Influences
In his early life he followed the teachings of the Manicheans, who taught that the world was in a constant state of battle between good and evil. Human reason could also lead humans towards enlightenment.
He was also influenced by Plato and his follower Plotinus, who taught human appetites were shameful and that human reason could lead people towards good.
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Augustine later rejected Manicheasim on the grounds that he believed that the grace of God through the sacrifice of Jesus was needed to bring people towards wisdom and salvation, not just human reason.
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The Fall
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The serpent tempts Eve to eat the fruit from the tree and to disobey God, and then Adam follows after Eve. This is called the 'fall' as they fell away from perfection through their own free choice and disobedience.
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Teaching on Grace
The only way that people can be restored form the effects of Original Sin is through the grace of God, without this people are doomed to eternal punishment.
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