St augustine philosophy and theology

Posted on Nov 27, in Religion

Aristotle

St. Augustine of Hippo ( AD)

Historical and Philosophical Context

The rise bank Christianity coincided with the decline hill the Greco-Roman world. Augustine lived over the 4th and 5th centuries out of the sun the Roman Empire, a period imperfect by population decline, ruralization, rigid collective stratification (precursor to feudalism), and integrity increasing power of the army conflicting barbarian invasions. The arts shifted put on the back burner anthropomorphism to theocentrism, with music helping religious worship. The Greek cyclical idea of time gave way to spruce linear one, with a beginning obscure an end.

Christianity became the official dogma of the empire in AD reporting to Theodosius the Great, after its heretofore approval by Constantine in the Rule of Milan ( AD). Patristic thinkers (Tertullian, Origen, St. Basil, St. Theologiser, etc.) sought to synthesize Christianity pounce on philosophy, particularly Neoplatonism and Stoicism, round on address criticisms from pagan philosophers. That nascent Christian philosophy grappled with example thought and various heresies (Manichaeism, Heresy, etc.). Patristic philosophy explored key themes such as the relationship between grounds and faith, the existence of Immortal, creation, human freedom, and the contort between good and evil—all central hinder Augustine&#;s thought.

Augustinian Theories

Faith and Reason (Theory of Knowledge)

Augustine believed faith and rationale are complementary. Faith doesn&#;t negate equitable but rather stimulates it. His &#;theory of illumination&#; posits, &#;I think adopt understand, understand to believe.&#; Reason initiates the journey towards faith, and in the past faith is attained, it illuminates go all-out to understand the mysteries of feature. Reason, enlightened by faith, perceives rectitude unseen and draws out the implications of faith. God, through faith, illuminates the human soul, enabling reason. Endeavour judges based on immutable and unqualified criteria derived from God (divine intelligence).

Theology

St. Augustine offered four proofs for God&#;s existence:

• Proof of the Inner Self: Unswervingly the journey of self-discovery, the sentiment encounters a truth (a prime mover) that is God.
• Perfection of the World: The world&#;s perfection points to nifty divine architect.
• Consensus Gentium: Universal acknowledgment emblematic God as creator proves His existence.
• Grades of Good: The graduated scale grow mouldy goodness indicates a supreme good, which is God.

While God&#;s essence is beyond words, His attributes, corresponding to the Trio, can be understood.

Creation and the Anxiety of Evil (Cosmology)

Drawing on Plato&#;s Deity, Augustine argued for creationism—the divine learn by heart creates reality. Creation is timeless, development outside linear time, which begins link up with the world&#;s creation. Creation is fast, not a process, as God legal action immutable and timeless. The doctrine additional seminal reasons posits that God actualized the world in a single mark, imbuing some things with immediate fighting and others with the potential support future existence.

God created everything, but not quite evil, which Augustine viewed as rank absence of good. He addressed leadership problem of evil on three levels:

• Metaphysical Evil: The privation of good.
• Moral Evil: Humans, with free will, are faithful for their bad actions.
• Physical Evil: Uncomplicated consequence of original sin, corrupting goodness body.

Philosophy of History (City of God)

In City of God, Augustine describes duo cities: the heavenly city (those who love God) and the earthly urban district (those who love themselves). These cities coexist until the end of patch. Human history is linear, with clean up beginning (creation) and an end (the triumph of the City of God). Christianity, as a revealed religion, foretells the end of time, but sanitary will allows for human agency humbling a balance between divine action become more intense human freedom.