Abstract
The problem of evil has preoccupied religious and secular discussions for centuries. All religions of the world have tried to proffer explanations of how evil came into the world and whether human beings are evil by nature or by imitation. Modern Political realism has waded into the discussion with the assertion that human beings inherited selfishness, pride, egocentricity from their first parents. Some proponents of political realism find justification in the Judeo-Christian theology of St Augustine of Hippo whose theology of Original sin traces the origins of evil to Adam’s sin. This paper seeks to establish the relationship between modern political realism and St Augustine’s theology of Original sin. Using a historical-critical and hermeneutic approach, the article argues that the evil committed by political realists cannot be justified through St Augustine’s theology of Original sin. It further asserts that rather than having a limiting effect, the doctrine of Original sin can be a liberating notion. Consequently, the study concludes that the moral evil of selfishness exuded by politicians stems not from human beings’ nature as free human beings but from their nurture and maybe changeable by recourse to the doctrine of Original sin. Keywords: Realism, Original sin, evil, Augustine
Highlights
Politicians are known to have a penchant for electoral fraud, political violence corruption and deceit.1 African countries are caught up in a myriad of socio-economic underdevelopment due to leadership crises
The article posited that political evil perpetrated by human beings in this world is not divinely ordained
What St Augustine taught by his doctrine of the original sin is that human beings are under the strain of sinful desires
Summary
Politicians are known to have a penchant for electoral fraud, political violence corruption and deceit.1 African countries are caught up in a myriad of socio-economic underdevelopment due to leadership crises. Using a historical-critical and hermeneutic approach, the article argues that the evil committed by political realists cannot be justified through St Augustine’s theology of Original sin.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.