In principle he agrees with Augustine that "an unjust law is no law at all." King says that an unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law [the moral law would demand that we respect human rights]. King insists that any law that "degrades human personality" is unjust.
What does Augustine say about God in the confessions?
[VIII.1-18] Characteristically of this part of the Confessions, Augustine begins by taking stock of his progress toward God at the time. He had removed all doubt "that there is an indestructible substance from which comes all substance," and recognized that God was a spiritual substance with no spatial extension.
What would Augustine say about the Old Testament?
In regards to the Old Testament, Augustine would have us be very careful not to universally apply to today what was accepted then as a way of life, even though the Scriptures are interpreted literally (cf. DDC III:18:16–22:32). For instance, Augustine notes that polygamy was permitted in the Old Testament.
How did St Augustine feel about his second will?
Though no further obstacles stood in his way, he felt he was struggling against a second will within himself: "my two wills...one carnal, one spiritual, were in conflict with one and other." Augustine remained attached by habit to the beauty of material things and pleasures, though he felt that this habit was "no more I."
What does Augustine say about use and enjoyment?
But in book one, Augustine wants us to consider only what things are in themselves, not what they might signify.) Then he makes the distinction between enjoyment and use: Some things are to be enjoyed, others to be used, and there are others that are to be used and enjoyed. Those things that are to be enjoyed make us blessed.
What does MLK say about St Augustine?
King told SCLC members that "St. Augustine, Florida, was a place that could help determine the future of race relations for the whole state of Florida at that time in the 1960s.
What did Martin Luther King say about unjust laws?
One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. Any law that uplifts human personality is just.
When did Martin Luther King say one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws?
In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” King said we have a duty to disobey unjust laws. "I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws," he wrote. "Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.
Who said an unjust law is no law?
Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust. All segregation statutes are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality.
How does King justify using direct action and disobeying laws?
King justified the tactic of civil disobedience by stating that, just as the Bible's Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to obey Nebuchadnezzar's unjust laws and colonists staged the Boston Tea Party, he refused to submit to laws and injunctions that were employed to uphold segregation and deny citizens their ...
What law did Martin Luther King break?
Southern police arrested civil rights protesters—including, on multiple occasions, King—for violating practically every criminal code provision: disturbing the peace, marching without a permit, violating picketing or boycott laws, trespassing, engaging in criminal libel and conspiracy.
What did MLK say about civil disobedience?
Martin Luther King, Jr., the most renowned advocate of civil disobedience, argued that civil disobedience is not lawlessness but instead a higher form of lawfulness, designed to bring positive or man-made law into conformity with higher law—natural or divine law.
How does Martin Luther King support his claim?
He supports his claim by giving evidence of segregation and police brutality which the Negros unjustly face.
What metaphor does King use to close the letter and why is it appropriate?
What metaphor does King use as to close the letter and why is it appropriate? King explains that he is not an "outside agitator" because he was invited to Birmingham by a religious affiliate. King draws a strong image of clouds rolling away from the sky to reveal beautiful stars.
What does King consider a just law?
“A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law,” King responded. “One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws.
What is King's example of a just law unjustly applied?
What is King's example of a just law unjustly applied? "Parading without a permit" as it violates First Amendment rights. What obligations fall on someone who breaks an unjust law? They must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty.
Who was Dr King's intended audience?
King's fellow clergyIn “Letters from Birmingham Jail,” King directs his message to two distinct audiences. The intended audience is King's fellow clergy because he wrote specifically to them. However, King's unintended audience is the apathetic people of the United States.
What is King's example of a just law unjustly applied?
What is King's example of a just law unjustly applied? "Parading without a permit" as it violates First Amendment rights. What obligations fall on someone who breaks an unjust law? They must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty.
What is just and unjust laws?
An unjust law is a code that a majority inflicts on a minority that is not binding on itself. This is difference made legal. On the other hand a just law is a code that a majority compels a minority to follow that it is willing to follow itself. This is sameness made legal.
What are some unjust laws in history?
HERE IS just a short list of unjust laws from our nation's sordid history:Naturalization Act of 1790: Refused the granting of national citizenship to indentured servants, slaves, free Blacks and later Asians.Fugitive Slave Act of 1793: Made it a crime to escape slavery and/or to harbor fugitive slaves.More items...•
Are we morally obliged to obey an unjust law Why?
You are obligated to obey unjust laws because you tacitly agree to obey the laws, people have different opinions what is just or unjust, and there are many consequences when disobeying a law. Living in state, you give a tacit consent to obey the state by accepting the benefits given to you.
Who did Augustine leave his father and mother?
Augustine slips in an affectionate dig about Monica when he mentions that Nebridius also left his father and mother — a mother who did not follow him all the way to Milan. The final important character in this section is Ambrose, seen from afar through young Augustine's eyes.
What is Augustine's intellectual pride?
Augustine is beginning to understand that in his intellectual pride, he completely misinterpreted the ideas of the Catholic Church. He is still driven by ambition and pride, and he worries about his career. He sees a beggar in the street and is dismayed to think that the beggar is happier than he is.
What did Bishop Ambrose do when he forbids her from making offerings for the dead?
When Bishop Ambrose forbids her from making offerings for the dead, as was customary in Africa, she obediently gives up the practice. Augustine admires Ambrose and is eager to speak with him, but Ambrose is always busy. Augustine is beginning to understand that in his intellectual pride, he completely misinterpreted the ideas of the Catholic Church.
What was Alypius' weakness?
In Carthage, Alypius had a weakness for the circus games, which he gave up immediately after a rebuke from Augustine. But in Milan, he is seduced by the gladiatorial shows, against his better judgment.
What is Ambrose's silence?
Ambrose's concentrated silence is the opposite of the "loquaciousness" of the Manichees, who use their pretty words for deceit, just as Augustine the rhetor does. Rather than talking, Ambrose is listening to the word of God, something Augustine has as yet not done. Glossary.
What is the plot of Alypius?
In some respects, the little collection of tales about Alypius has the tone of a hagiography, the legend of a saint's life.
Did Augustine change his habits?
Unlike his companions, however, Augustine fails to change his bad habits. He is stuck, unable to go back to Manichaeism or fully embrace Catholicism, instead wavering about his beliefs and his plans. The force of simple habit in encouraging sinful behavior is a recurring theme in Augustine's works.
What did Augustine do to help the Christian faith?
Augustine was deeply critical of traditional pagan education, but he also did much to rehabilitate pagan writers for Christian audiences by employing the metaphor of the "gold of the Egyptians.".
What chapter does Augustine meet Faustus?
Summary and Analysis Book 5: Chapters 1-7. At 29, Augustine meets a Manichean bishop named Faustus, who is famous for his knowledge of doctrine. Augustine hopes Faustus can clear up some of his doubts regarding Manichean explanations of astronomy, which Augustine is starting to find improbable. The explanations of pagan scientists, ...
How long was Augustine a Manichee?
Analysis. Having been a Manichee for about nine years, Augustine is gradually losing faith in his chosen religion. Most importantly, the complex Manichean myths about the sun, moon, and stars have begun to strike Augustine as logically inconsistent and incompatible with the rational observations of science.
What is Faustus promised as?
Faustus, promised as someone who can answer Augustine's questions, turns out to be a disappointment. Faustus speaks agreeably and has a natural charm, but amidst the beautiful words, there is still no substance to satisfy Augustine's soul. Disillusioned, Augustine loses all enthusiasm for Manichaeism, but seeing no better alternatives, he does not make a break with it yet.
Does Faustus have a natural charm?
Faustus speaks agreeably and has a natural charm, but amidst the beautiful words, there is still no substance to satisfy Augustine's soul. Disillusioned, Augustine loses all enthusiasm for Manichaeism, but seeing no better alternatives, he does not make a break with it yet.
What does DeVante reveal about King?
DeVante reveals that King wanted him to kill the men who shot Dalvin, which would only lead to Garden... (full context) ...used to talk about her. He also asserts that Khalil was not in a gang. King tried to get him to become a King Lord, but Khalil refused, and the bandana... (full context) Chapter 15.
What does DeVante ask of King's stash?
DeVante asks if knowing where King ’s stash was would help them put King away for good. Carlos says it would help... (full context)
Why did Kenya take so long to respond to King?
Starr tries... (full context) ...Kenya took a long time to respond because she was dealing with the fallout of King, who beats her and her sister in addition to Iesha, moving back into her house.... (full context)
What car does King pull up in?
King pulls up to the store in his gray BMW and asks for DeVante’s whereabouts. Maverick... (full context)
Who screams at King for starting the fire?
Maverick screams at King for starting the fire, but King keeps laughing and hides behind his King Lords. Mr.... (full context)
Who kicked Iesha with his boots?
DeVante c lutches his side, and Seven asks if King kicked him with his boots. Seven notes that he did that to Iesha once, breaking... (full context)
What did Augustine say to himself?
Augustine's habits continued to nag and whisper to him, even as he said to himself, "let it be now, let it be now." Finally, as the voices of habit began to weaken, Augustine says that "Lady Continence" came on the scene and moved to embrace him (a metaphor rather than a vision, although the garden scene as a whole blurs the line between rhetoric and a literal account). All Augustine's self-contained misery welled up, and he moved off to a bench to weep.
Who is in the garden and who joins Augustine in his decision to convert?
This was enough to convert Augustine immediately and finally, and he hurries to tell the good news to Alypius (who is in the garden and who joins Augustine in his decision to convert) and to Monica (who is thrilled). Augustine has finally arrived at his goal.
What is the book VIII of the Confessions about?
Book VIII tells the story of his conversion experience in Milan, which begins with an agonizing state of spiritual paralysis and ends with an ecstatic decision (in a Milan garden) to wholly embrace celibacy and the Catholic faith. [VIII.1-18] Characteristically of this part of the Confessions, Augustine begins by taking stock ...
Did Augustine need the will to do something?
This, indeed, was partly what was so maddening about the situation--Augustine did not need the will to do something so much as the will to will something. He reflects here on the paradox that, in beating himself, his limbs obeyed the will of his mind even as his mind could not obey itself.
Who is Augustine's friend?
With a great deal of motivation already in the air, a friend (Ponticianus) tells Augustine of monasteries outside the city and of two men who had given up their worldly lives in an instant to become monks. For Augustine, this is almost like an accusation: "you thrust me before my own eyes....
Did Augustine convert?
Nonetheless, Augustine did not yet convert. Though no further obstacles stood in his way, he felt he was struggling against a second will within himself: "my two wills...one carnal, one spiritual, were in conflict with one and other.".
What does St. A's praise for his mother's patience with and persistence in leading her husband Patrick at the?
4.4 St A’s praise for his mother’s patience with and persistence in leading her husband Patrick at the end of his life faith in Christ his redeemer and doing the same for him. While he husband “loved, respected and admired’ his wife tolerated his infidelities and patiently endured his anger. She waited till he was “calm and quiet” and then she would why she had done what angered him and suggested that “perhaps he had reacted without sufficient consideration.” (p.168)
What did St. A. confess to Monica?
But St A confesses that God in his mercy “from the fury of one soul” brought healing to Monica.
What is Chadwick's BK IV?
He is now a disciple of the Manichees and attracted to astrology, so Chadwick entitles Bk IV “Manichee and Astrologer” Again perhaps a misleading title since it has much to say— as we will not go on to explore—about the “sweetness” and sorrows of friendship.
What does Augustine say about praying?
On the last note, Augustine admonishes us to pray to God for help in understanding the Bible. Indeed, Holy Scripture itself admonishes us to “pray unceasingly” (1 Thes.5:17), “because the Lord gives wisdom: and out of his mouth comes prudence and understanding” (Prov.2:6).
What does Augustine believe about translations?
Augustine insists that referring to the original manuscripts clears up much ambiguity in the vernacular translations (cf. DDC II:14:21–15:22). Too often, he believes, translators are led astray by expressions unknown to them in the originals, and they make mistakes in translating.
What does Augustine say about adultery?
Augustine points out that men tend to judge a sin not by the measure of its malice but according to the customs of the times (cf. DDC III:10:15). Thus when Scripture teaches something at variance with the customs of its audience or censures what is not at variance, the tendency is to interpret it figuratively. If some people in the United States believe that adultery is the best way to enliven their marriage, then they’ll find a way to pervert the true meaning of the scriptural text on the subject: “Jesus really means we should keep marriages together. If committing adultery does so, then I am in compliance with his true intentions.” Cultural relativism also allows them to say, “Christ’s condemnation of adultery was governed by cultural factors that no longer apply today, so I don’t have to take it literally.”
What does Augustine say about figurative signs?
Augustine believes that it is the ambiguity of figurative words that causes the most difficulty. He says a primary error in exegesis is to take a figurative expression literally (DDC III:9:13).
What does Augustine mean by "things"?
For instance, the word ox is a sign that signifies the animal. A thing, though, is something that does not signify something else, such as the ox itself. (To use a figure of speech, say, “You’re as strong as an ox,” is to use the word signifying “ox” to signify something other than the ox itself. But in book one, Augustine wants us to consider only what things are in themselves, not what they might signify.)
What is the third prerequisite for interpreting Scripture?
Therefore, Augustine’s third great prerequisite for interpreting Scripture is to be truly charitable to every person in your life.
Who is the father of the exegetic method?
How important, then, it is to return to the exegetic method of one of the great Fathers of the Church: Augustine, bishop of Hippo. De doctrina Christiana (henceforth “DDC”) formulates an approach to Scripture that has had a profound influence on Christianity ...
What did Augustine believe about the heresy?
Augustine believed that this heresy was around in the time of the Apostles, and that big portions of the New Testament were written rebutting it;
What did Luther say about sin?
But Luther taught: “No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? ”
What does the author say in the Epistle of James?
What he criticizes folks for is what they don’t have, namely works. He doesn’t say that faith without works is impossible, he says that faith without works is incomplete, barren, and dead.
What did Christ say about mighty works?
Christ said very clearly and repeatedly that works, indeed mighty works, are required for salvation, and He also promised that those who believe would do all He did and more.
What does "do the will of his father" mean?
To do the will of His Father, means ‘to do’ something…and in fact….MANY THINGS.
Was Augustine a Catholic?
Obviously, Augustine was a Catholic bishop, and Protestants can’t accept that. But theologically, Protestants sometimes like to claim Augustine him as one of their own on issues like justification. Protestants tend to believe in justification (that justification is by faith alone ), while Catholics believe that while initial justification is by faith alone, that faith must be joined by active charity (taking the form of good works), or it’s worthless. Nathan Busenitz, taking the Protestant view, claims that “ sola fide wasn’t a 16th century invention,” and says that “Augustine—whose teaching on justification is strongly debated—may indeed be seen as a theological forefather of the Reformers.” It’s worth noting that Luther (who invented sola fide) actually rejected this idea, saying that “Although good and holy, he [Augustine] was yet lacking in the true faith, as well as the other fathers.” When Catholics say that Luther’s position on justification is contrary to all of the Church Fathers, they’re just agreeing with the man himself. But what of Augustine himself?
Do Protestants have to do good works?
I am not protestant, but I’ve always understood the concept of justification by faith alone this way, sort of. Yes, a christian is called to perform good works, in fact he has to do them (this the part some protestants get wrong, perhaps), but no, works cannot “buy” you your salvation (this is where some catholics may be mistaken).
