Notes on Augustine in accordance with the OCR Religious Studies specification. The notes provide information, scholars, ideas and quotes compiled from various resources from both within and outside of the curriculum.
Human Relationships Pre- and Post-Fall
- Genesis describes the state of perfection in the Garden of Eden so
- perfect harmony is lost with the fall so humans turn to sin and lust. Selfish
love (concupiscence) now overtakes generous love (caritas)
- There is no longer perfect harmony, ‘your desire shall be for your
husband, and he shall rule over you.’ Genesis 3:16
- Augustine notes the turning point as Adam and Eve’s shame that they are
naked
- Augustine argues there three key stages of human relationship with God:
being created by God, becoming fallen in nature and finally being redeemed
through Christ
Strengths
1. Explains the corruption in humans and the imbalance between will and
physical desires
2. Literal interpretation is backed by divine authority, ‘all scripture is inspired
by God,’ 2 Timothy 3:16 and therefore has God’s authority.
3. provides an explanation for the imbalance between will and body and the
corrupted nature of humans
4. aligns with a central belief in Christianity that humans are inclined to sin
Weaknesses
1 Augustine interprets the Bible too literally, rather than a historical event
many Biblical scholars agree that the fall is an aetiological myth. This is
supported by the talking snake and tree with magical qualities as they’re
mythological elements. Genesis is a myth which is ‘not to be construed
literally.’ William Lane Craig
2 Evolution and science denies any evidence that humanity was ever
harmonious and what Augustine insists as fact, that Adam and Eve were
the first humans, is challenged by evolution. Also, sin can’t be passed
biologically through generations
3 Evil is blamed entirely on humans, but there doesn’t need to be a reason
for evil.
4 logical inconsistencies within chapter 3, why was the serpent in the
Garden of Eden, how can God walk, and how can an omnibenevolent God
not understand Eve’s mistake?
5 women in particular blamed for the fall, and Augustine asserts that ‘the
man is subject to Christ and the woman is subject to the man.’
Furthers the subjugation of women and places them as subordinate
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