Free choice Quote by William T. Cavanaugh
““For Augustine, on the other hand, sin is not a power but a weakness. Augustine uses the metaphors of slavery and sickness to discuss the nature of sin. In his Confessions he says of his own condition, before his conversion, that he was "bound not by an iron imposed by anyone else, but by the iron of my own choice."11 In his anti-Pelagian treatise, The Spirit and the Letter, he says: "How, if they are slaves of sin, can they boast freedom of choice?"" Or again, "by grace comes the healing of the soul from sin's sickness; by the healing of the soul comes freedom of choice."" Sin is not subject to free choice, properly speaking. The alcoholic with plenty of money and access to an open liquor store may, in a purely negative sense, be free from anything interfering with getting what he wants; but in reality he is profoundly unfree and cannot free himself. In order for him to regain freedom of choice, he cannot be left alone. He can only be free by being liberated from his false desires and being moved to desire rightly.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Confessions by Augustine, c. 397 AD; Book: The Spirit and the Letter by Augustine, 5th century
Sin is portrayed as a weakness that enslaves the soul, limiting true freedom of choice; liberation requires divine grace and right desire.
In simple terms: Sin is a weakness that robs real freedom; only grace can restore it.
Key Takeaway
Seek grace to overcome false desires.
Themes
theology
freeedom
human nature
spirituality
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
theological
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal moral struggle
- addiction recovery
- spiritual counseling
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
Sin as slavery
grace
choice
desire
conversion
Questions to Reflect On
- What desires keep you bound?
- How can grace be cultivated in daily life?
A Different Perspective
Sin may appear voluntary but is actually coercive, making true autonomy impossible without external help.
