The Fall, Original Sin, and Grace

Augustine’s Teaching on Human Nature

Content

• Human relationships pre- and post-Fall

• Original Sin and its effects on the will and human societies

• God’s grace

Key Knowledge

• Augustine’s interpretation of Genesis 3 (the Fall) including:

  • the state of perfection before the Fall and Adam and Eve’s relationship as friends

  • lust and selfish desires after the Fall

• Augustine’s teaching that Original Sin is passed on through sexual intercourse and is the cause of:

  • human selfishness and lack of free will

  • lack of stability and corruption in all human societies

• Augustine’s teaching that only God’s grace, his generous love, can overcome sin and the rebellious will to achieve the greatest good (summum bonum)