saint augustine
... Saint Augustine (354-430) Brief Biography -One of the greatest leaders of early Christian Church -Early life was considered spiritual struggle (a nonbeliever, enjoyed life to its fullest) -Baptized in 386 -Served as a bishop in Hippo (396-430) Beliefs: 1) God + Soul: His study of neoplatonism made him believe that god is present in the soul of every human being, and people shuold direct all their attention to god, not distracted by the cares & pleasures of the world 2) Sin + Grace: -People would not change their sinful ways unless helped by the Grace of god -God only choses certain individuals to receive his grace 3) Church + Sacraments: -People should not receive God's grace unless they belonged to church -God could overlook human weekness through their sacraments Famouse Works: -"The Confession" -"The City of God" (presents the history of humanity as a struggle between people who depend on god and people who rely on themselves) Views On the subject of "Evil": -What is Evil? -Evil does NOT exist, it's a illusion of sorts -Man gives non-being the existential status of being -Evil is the turning away from good, which is the action of choosing the lesser good (turning away from god) -How is evil created? -God did not create evil, rather his creatures (meaning us) did -Free will is the source of evil -How can we avoid Evil? -Evil can be avoided by listening to your heart, rather you free will (which means devote yourself to God, and being able to fend off the temptations that's presented by your will. For example: wanting money) Saint Augustine (354-430) Brief Biography -One of the greatest leaders of early Christian Church -Early life was considered spiritual struggle (a nonbeliever, enjoyed life to its fullest) -Baptized in 386 -Served as a bishop in Hippo (396-430) Beliefs: 1) God + Soul: His study of neoplatonism made him believe that god is present in the soul of every human being, and people shuold direct all their attention to god, not distracted by the cares & pleasures of the world 2) Sin + Grace: -People would not change their sinful ways unless helped by the Grace of god -God only choses certain individuals to receive his grace 3) Church + Sacraments: -People should not receive God's grace unless they belonged to church -God could overlook human weekness through their sacraments Famouse Works: -"The Confession" -"The City of God" (presents the history of humanity as a struggle between people who depend on god and people who rely on themselves) Views On the subject of "Evil": -What is Evil? -Evil does NOT exist, it's a illusion of sorts -Man gives non-being the existential status of being -Evil is the turning away from good, which is the action of choosing the lesser good (turning away from god) -How is evil created? -God did not create evil, rather his creatures (meaning us) did -Free will is the source of evil -How can we avoid Evil? -Evil can be avoided by listening to your heart, rather you free will (which means devote yourself to God, and being able to fend off the temptations that's presented by your will. For example: wanting money) ...