The "Three Stages of Sin" according to St. Augustine
The 13th century Dominican theologian Thomas Aquinas informs us (SummaTheologica 2.1. Q. 72 Art. 7):
For Augustine (De Trin. xii, 12) describes three stages of sin, of which the first is "when the carnal sense offers a bait," which is the sin of thought; the second stage is reached "when one is satisfied with the mere pleasure of thought"; and the third stage, "when consent is given to the deed."
I can outline this simply as follows:
Stage 1: Concupiscence of the Flesh. Thesenses (e.g. the sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing) perceive something that causesdelight.
Stage 2: Contemplation (believed to take place in the heart; the actualbiological functions of the brain and heart were not understood until much later), inwhich the mind delights in the sense impression, and stays with it, rather than referringit to God, its creator, as Augustine enjoins).
Stage 3: Consent of the Will. This is when actual sin takes place [someauthorities said that it takes place at Stage 2, even if no overt act follows].
Remember the universal hierarchies, especially TheFlesh / female and Reason/ male.
Ive adopted the terminology of the late D.W. Robertson,Jr., one of the great medievalists of this century and my former professor. Itseasier to remember these three Latinate words because they all begin with "con."And, remember, "con" is French for "female sexual organ", and adulteryis often a metaphor for any kind of sin.
(There were other ways of saying more or less the same thing. For example, Aquinas saysright after this:
"Gregory (Moral. iv, 25) reckons four degrees of sin; the first of which is "a fault hidden in the heart"; the second, "when it is done openly"; the third, "when it is formed into a habit"; and the fourth, "when man goes so far as to presume on God's mercy or to give himself up to despair" "
But Augustines view was very widespread, and is found in literature, too).
Augustine (see chapter 37 ofOn Christian Doctrine) discusses the proper use and improper use, or 'abuse', of thethings of this world.
FAQs
Augustine considers the three kinds of temptations: lust of the senses, curiosity, and power.
What are the three levels of sin? ›
For Augustine (De Trin. xii, 12) describes three stages of sin, of which the first is "when the carnal sense offers a bait," which is the sin of thought; the second stage is reached "when one is satisfied with the mere pleasure of thought"; and the third stage, "when consent is given to the deed."
What are the three stages of knowledge according to St. Augustine? ›
Augustine of Hippo was the first in the history of Christian spirituality who expressed a key tendency of Christian mysticism, which implies a gradual intellectual ascent of the human soul to God, consisting of the three main stages: external, internal, and supernal.
What did St. Augustine say about sin? ›
He believes in the idea of original sin, inherited by all human beings from the first man, Adam. Augustine is quick to clarify that God did not make sin; sin is humanity's responsibility. Augustine's views on original sin are complex, and he does not directly discuss the topic in the Confessions.
What are the three 3 conditions for sin? ›
Just as there are three ingredients in evaluating a moral action (the object, intention, and circ*mstances), so there are three ingredients in a mortal sin: (1) “grave matter,” (2) “full knowledge,” and (3) “deliberate consent.” And the Catechism is clear that all “three conditions must together be met” (1857).
What are the three values of St. Augustine? ›
Augustinian Education
This article hopes to accomplish two goals: first, to articulate the meaning of the three core values of Unitas (Unity), Veritas (Truth), and Caritas (Charity).
What are three major sin? ›
The three deadly sins are selfishness, lust and pride. These manifestations of the flesh are in direct opposition to the life and peace that God has given us in redemption through Jesus Christ. To sum: selfishness opposes faith, lust opposes hope and pride opposes love.
What is the first stage of sin? ›
#1 – Lust. This first stage in the fight against sin is when you don't put up any fight at all. We'll call it “lust.” Lust means to strongly crave something, and usually it's something you're not supposed to have.
What are the three original sins? ›
THESE ARE THREE CATEGORIES OF SIN:
- I. LUST OF THE FLESH.
- II. LUST OF THE EYES.
- III. PRIDE OF LIFE.
According to Augustine, the earth was brought into existence ex nihilo by a perfectly good and just God, who created man. The earth is not eternal; the earth, as well as time, has both a beginning and an end. Man, on the other hand, was brought into existence to endure eternally.
No one claimed any of his possessions as his own, but everything was held in common." Upon this passage from the New Testament, the Rule of Augustine established that the community must live in harmony, "being of one mind and heart on the way to God." The most fundamental message of the Rule is this: Love -- love of ...
What are the three virtues of Augustine? ›
For St. Augustine, Christian living is constituted by the insepara- bly connected theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, where happiness is found in a precarious and changeable world through hope in a future secured in eternity.
What are the three stages of sin according to Augustine? ›
Suggestion, pleasure, and consent
Augustine observes three steps in committing sin: suggestion, pleasure, consent. * It all begins with suggestion which comes to us either through memory or sense perception. Next, comes pleasure. Pleasure may rightly enjoy something suggested to us unless that thing is forbidden.
How did Augustine view original sin? ›
Augustine. Augustine of Hippo wrote that original sin is transmitted by concupiscence and enfeebles freedom of the will without destroying it.
What is Augustine's conception of sin? ›
All of humanity is born into the default condition of Original Sin, which shapes the essence of human behavior. This sin was caused by hereditary transmission (or sexual activity) through Adam after he committed the sinful act of eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil.
What are the three levels of conversion according to Augustine? ›
Augustine describes the three stages of conversion, as 1) aversio: a wandering from home, 2) perversio: a immersion in sin and wickedness, and finally 3) conversion. The Latin term of Conversion that Augustine would have been familiar with would have a very dynamic connotation.
What are the stages of the cycle of sin? ›
This cycle could be described in four stages: 1) salvation; 2) abandoning God; 3) enslavement; and 4) crying out to God. This pattern of sin continues into the day-to-day lives of Christians even to this day, and demonstrates our depravity and God's goodness to take care of the problem ultimately through Christ.
What are the three parts of the soul according to St. Augustine? ›
St Augustine's Trinity – Human Soul Analogy
| Class | Description |
|---|
| Will | Will is the facuty of the soul which initiates action. |
| ImageOfSelf | The image of self is an object of thought referring to the thinker. |
| SelfKnowledge | Self knowledge is understanding of the Self. |
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