Augustine’s theology came to define Christianity, but there was a rival theology. by JONNY THOMSON St. Augustine is considered one of the main “Church Fathers,” but his life was surprisingly salacious before his turn to Christianity. He was one of the major proponents of “original sin” — the idea that we are born with a natural inclination toward sin and evil. Augustine also was largely responsible for the “Neoplatonism” that infused so much early Christian theology, namely, the notion that the further something is from God (as perfection) the lesser it becomes. A lot of secular and religious morality hinges … Continue reading Are we born evil? St. Augustine and “original sin”