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The Shaping Factors and Key Principles of Augustine's Concept of Ethics

The Shaping Factors and Key Principles of Augustine's Concept of Ethics

Nathan K. N.G.

Augustine's concept of ethics was constructed from his personal existential experience, inspiration from Greco-Roman philosophy, pastoral and apologetic concerns, and insights from scriptural study. Besides, Christian theology, especially the doctrines of Trinity, anthropology and soteriology, was also a key factor affecting his ethical reflection. Based on his concept of good creation, he insisted that all creatures are good by nature. Vice is for him the desertion of greater goods for lesser goods while virtue is the correct selection of goods. Thus, he proposed an ordered love. For example, spiritual goods are higher than bodily, and eternal goods are better than temporal ones. Amongst all the goods, Augustine defined God as the supreme human good. All loves of earthly things have to be loved in God. However, because of falsehood and deception after the fall, human minds can no longer judge wisely and need a medicine of the soul to bring them back to health. That medicine is the scriptural teachings and commandments.

Augustine's key principles of ethical judgments have long been an academic debate. Augustine has authored many treatises discussing various ethical issues. However, all these treatises have special backgrounds and were composed for specific situations during the long episcopacy of this Latin father. The viewpoints in these treatises sometimes seem to be contradictory and have great tension. Which element among love, truth and virtue is his major concern? Does he emphasize more on teleological value or more on deontological obligation? While this article cannot answer all these questions, some rules are summarized as his most important ethical methodology. Firstly, God is the standard of truth. Virtue can only be achieved by obedience to Him. Secondly, sincere love of God is the prerequisite of all virtues. Thirdly, beside God, truth is superior to all other love of goods. Finally, knowledge of truth and love of God are interconnected. They can grow and develop together. At the end of this article, some reflections are given for modern Chinese church based on Augustine's ethical ideals.

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Message from the Editor of Issue 48

Editor's Note: Wu Guojie Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, the number of people infected worldwide has exceeded 250 million, and the number of deaths has exceeded 5 million. This number does not include poor third-world countries with weak testing capabilities and inability to determine the cause of death. Due to the epidemic, the lives, economy, and travel of people around the world have been affected to varying degrees; for example, people have to wear masks when going out, maintain social distance, the number of gatherings is limited, quarantine is required when entering the country, travel has been greatly reduced, related industries have laid off employees, and unemployment has Rates thus increase and so on. In this environment, church gatherings have also been affected to a considerable extent. During the period when the epidemic was severe and gatherings were restricted, physical church gatherings were suspended, and online live broadcasts and video conversations became necessary alternative modes; even if the epidemic eased and physical gatherings reopened, online Synchronization has also become the new normal. In the face of this disaster, which is called the "pandemic of the century," what resources does the Christian faith have that can help the church respond and turn the crisis into an opportunity? This issue of "Sandow Journal" takes "Epidemics and Disasters" as the theme, and brings together different scholars to discuss it from the perspectives of the two Testaments, doctrinal theology, and practical theology, hoping to enlighten modern Christians on how to deal with the challenges of this era. ...