Fallen human nature ~ Saint Augustine from The City of God
Saint Augustine ( ) Born North African Roman province Numidia Roman school (curriculum of rhetoric) and became teacher Baptized in : Priest at Hippo Regius, North Africa 396: bishop of Hippo Following: Saint Augustine’s views on: –Creation –The Fall of man Chaucer: references to Adam and Eve > awareness of the following info
XII, 22 Individual man was created alone vs. creation of several animals at one time –unity of society –bond of harmony God and Man united by likeness of nature and affection of kinship Whole human race meant to be from a single individual
XII, 23 God was aware humans would sin Even beasts (no rational choices) live safer than humans –Humans were given purpose of promoting harmony but failed Saints would be called to God through Holy Spirit Roots in one man > unity
XII, 24 Man has higher rank than animals b/c soul is endowed w/ reason and intelligence. God’s creation was not like “ordinary artist” but divine. “everyday craftsmanship” cannot measure God’s power and wisdom
XIII, 21 Symbolism of Garden of Eden –Four river = four virtues (prudence, fortitude, temperance, justice) –Trees = useful knowledge Fruits = lives of the faithful Tree of life = wisdom = mother of all good Tree of knowledge, good, and evil = experience of God’s punishments Garden = church –4 rivers = 4 gospels –Trees = saints Fruits = their works Tree of life = christ Tree of knowledge, good, and evil = free will
XIII, 13 Disobeyed God > loss of divine grace shame from nakedness was punishment Soul took “perverse delight” in liberty and was without mastery > lust against spirit All humans are born in rebellion and “doomed to die”
XIII, 14 Man is corrupted by choice and condemned by justice –We all belong to that one man, therefore all humans are affected –Fell into sin before sin existed Redeeming grace of God saves humans from second and endless death
XIII, 15 1 death = when life of the soul (God) abandons it Bodily death is just punishment for sin
XIV, 11 God foresaw everything he created –That man would sin –“our conception of the supernatural City of God” The earth, dust, nature and the human soul are made out of nothing, not out of God Good can exist without evil, but not v.v. –Evil is part of nature, which is good –Curing involves restoration of health and wholeness