Stricken by sin, cured by Christ : agency, necessity, and culpability in Augustinian theology /

The work of Augustine of Hippo has shaped Christian theology and tradition profoundly. Few theological doctrines have received as much individual attention and scrutiny as the Christian doctrine of original sin. Couenhoven (Villanova Univ.) here explores the continuing plausibility and relevance of Augustine's thinking about original sin. He argues that Augustine's doctrine is not a singular one, but rather an interlocking set of doctrines about the state of the human condition. The book carefully reconstructs these pieces of doctrine from the entirety of Augustine's corpus. Part 1, which carefully and thoroughly explores Augustine's various writings on the will, will be useful to students of Augustine's thought. Part 2 is an Augustinian argument for the continued relevance and plausibility of the doctrine of original sin--one that is conversant not only with historical theology but also with philosophical theology. Here the author also looks at arguments about human behavior from psychology and the social sciences. Students of Augustine's thought will find this a helpful introduction to the complexity of his doctrine as it relates to original sin. Constructive theologians will marvel at its informed, careful, and constructive use of historical sources. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty. A. W. Klink Duke University