Augustine and Freedom Essay -- Papers

Augustine and renouncedom Evil-doing is neglect of eternal things and love of temporal things to the extent of seemly subject to them. This is done by the open choice of the forget . . . Free entrust makes sin possible but it was given that man energy live righteously.1 This is a brief summary of what Augustine believed regarding (1) the origin of sin and (2) the tendency for which humanity was endowed with free choice of the will. Though insightful as it may seem, Augustines statement will not set to rest any the issues raised by the notion of human liberty and divine activity, since with free choice of the will come perplexing questions that continue to rage in philosophical circles. Some questions, however, can be set forth that delimitate parameters within which to begin understanding Augustine on the issue of human immunity and its origins/causes. If disgust originates in the human will, from where does the will come? Are at that place any limitati ons to human freedom? Is the human will neutral or does it have a bias toward good? A bias toward evil? Where does free choice of the will come into play when individuals are protected by Gods grace alone? What is meant by free will? On these questions, and many more related, Augustine has been an immense help. In this work an attempt will be made to illustrate Augustines view of free will. Such categories as Gods sovereignty in election and salvation, the origin of evil and its impact upon humanity, the arbiter of God, human responsibility and the providence of God in sanctification of the believer will be utilized. Augustines understanding of human freedom should corroborate with (1) the nature and event of God, (2) the integrity of... ...Gods relationship to time changed when time came into existence see William L. Craig, God, cadence and Eternity Religious Studies 14 (1978) 497-503. 32.Norman L. Geisler, Philosophy of Religion (Grand Rapids Zondervan, n.d.), not e 10, chapter 14, 331. 33.Cf., Lewis and Demarest, Integrative, vol. 1, op. cit., 310-328. 34. On Free Will, Book II, xv, 48, AEW, 166. 35. Ibid. 36.The Simplican, The Second Question, 3, ALW, 388. 37.Ibid., 12, op. cit., 394-395. 38.AEW, Book III, vi, 18,181. 39.The Simplican, The Second Question, 13, ALW, 395. 40.William L. Craig, The only Wise God (Grand Rapids Baker, 1987), 135. Though Craig holds to fallen creatures having power to contrary, it is likely that nitty-gritty knowledge is still possible given the alternative view of freedom offered here (viz.,