The 4th century theologian, Pelagius, it is said, would became demonstrably enraged whenever he would read or hear the provocative words from Augustine; Lord, command what you will, and grant what you command. Augustine was making plain his rejection of the idea of free will, an outrage that was intolerable to Pelagius. To Pelagius, it was an offense both to common sense and the dignity and personal responsibility of man that his free will could be doubted, let alone flatly denied. Nevertheless, it was Augustine who was vindicated by subsequent ecumenical councils, and whose theology still stands as official orthodoxy today. Augustine detected an innate corruption in mans nature. Although some are more depraved than others - indeed, some seem almost entirely free from moral deviancy - he saw that man is a fundamentally selfish creature who is incapable of consistently doing that which is just. Additionally, those who sincerely seek to live justly and morally, even in areas of personal virtue and purity which concern only oneself, man is unable to consistently think, act and feel in agreement with his ethical and dispositional goals. To some degree, his heart will always remain imperfect and his will too weak to attain the good he desires. Therefore it was Augustines prayer that God not only reveal the right way to man, but that He empower mankind to accomplish the good as well.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 19:00:00 +0000
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