Ministry and Theology Over time, Augustine formulated his conceptual understanding of the rationality of evil, original sin, grace, human freedom, predestination and the sacraments. Initially intrigued by the dualistic themes of dark and light, and flesh and spirit, Augustine’s theological journey saw him trying to set his life in order by testing a variety of belief structures. Much of the focus of Augustine’s writing was in response to the Manicheans regarding the origin of evil, to Pelagius’ position on grace and separately the response to Donatus and the acceptability of a person offering a sacrament.
EVIL AND ORIGINAL SIN
Mani brought together ideas from many faith traditions and myths, he identified himself in the line of succession of Zoroaster, Buddha, and Jesus and the practice of his resulting new religion (HWCM 127), Manicheanism, extended from one end of the known world to the other. As an effective missionary, he taught that the human predicament is a result of the dual presence of light (spiritual) and darkness (matter) (Gonzalez 242). Evil is a principle of darkness and therefore functions in all bodily actions.
Pelagius denied the incarnation of Adam’s original sin by claiming, “everything good and everything evil… is done by us, not born in us” (Bettenson 56). He further posited …show more content…
Where did it originate and why? These questions plague my mind. I find Augustine’s answer that choice is the origin of evil, only partially satisfying because it still does not pin down the answer to why evil exists in the first place. However, it is made complete, with the addition of a phrase often associated with him and one that was referenced in class, “solvitur ambulando, it is solved by walking”. My ability to walk from faith into understanding is on the way to a deeper relationship with God (Long 116) and that allows my mind to rest on this and every other question of a push, pull
EVIL AND ORIGINAL SIN
Mani brought together ideas from many faith traditions and myths, he identified himself in the line of succession of Zoroaster, Buddha, and Jesus and the practice of his resulting new religion (HWCM 127), Manicheanism, extended from one end of the known world to the other. As an effective missionary, he taught that the human predicament is a result of the dual presence of light (spiritual) and darkness (matter) (Gonzalez 242). Evil is a principle of darkness and therefore functions in all bodily actions.
Pelagius denied the incarnation of Adam’s original sin by claiming, “everything good and everything evil… is done by us, not born in us” (Bettenson 56). He further posited …show more content…
Where did it originate and why? These questions plague my mind. I find Augustine’s answer that choice is the origin of evil, only partially satisfying because it still does not pin down the answer to why evil exists in the first place. However, it is made complete, with the addition of a phrase often associated with him and one that was referenced in class, “solvitur ambulando, it is solved by walking”. My ability to walk from faith into understanding is on the way to a deeper relationship with God (Long 116) and that allows my mind to rest on this and every other question of a push, pull