E-ISSN: 2476-9606 Abstract Proceedings International Scholars Conference Volume 7 Issue 1, October 2019, pp.2065-2083 https://doi.org/10.35974/isc.v7i1.1011
A Comperative Study: Original Sin on The View Between Augustine and Neo-Plaonism Exson Eduaman Pane, MA. R Philippine Christian University panexon@gmail.com
ABSTRACT The doctrine of Original Sin has been debated for centuries among the Theologians include Augustine. The Understanding of doctrine original sin as a theological term started from the teaching of Augustine around 5century B.C. Augustine‗s understanding regarding original sin derived from his problem and his question concerning the life of Adam and Eve, and particularly in his youth experiences of adultery. He believed that all men involved in Adam‘s first sin and original sin was transmitted through the parents to their children. Augustine learned Manichaeism, however, he did not satisfied and then he went to learned Neo-Platonism and deeply impressed to him both for his Neo-Platonism and the Christian life. In Neo-Platonism, Augustine respect and received the Plotinus views. For NeoPlatonism, the root of sin is discovered in the very nature of the soul and in relation to the body as self- isolation. Before it enters the body, the soul has a prior existence. When the souls fall and that is how it comes to be in the body. But the point is that the soul has an unruly and evil nature in its irrational parts even before it enters the body so that it in one sense the cause of evil is present even in the soul preexistence state. Neo-Platonist believed that original sin is transmitted from one to another, Neo-Platonism underscored this notion by suggesting that in addition to such a transmission of evil, human souls would reappear via transmigration, bringing to the new body their earlier errors and judgments of value. Therefore, this study is to analyze and to compare Augustine‘s view as a theologian of the original sin with the Neo-Platonism concept. Keywords: Original Sin, Neoplatonism, Soul, Pre-Existence
INTRODUCTION Doctrine of Original Sin has been debated for centuries among the Theologians include Augustine. Commonly, debating doctrine of Original sin base on Romans 5:12 says ―Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.‖ (NASB) Trough this verse Paul wants to explain that with Adam‘s sin, sin has been entered to the earth and has been spreading to all human kinds. Interestingly, there are many religions on earth and almost the talk about sin and its
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