The following essay aims to give an overview of the capital sins as listed by Saint Thomas Aquinas and its respective remedies.
God has given us free will, reason, and a sense of responsibility. We are to use these gifts to live by His law. Sinning is what we do when we use our gifts of reason and free will in deviation from God’s law. Then, the seven capital sins are perilous tendencies which threaten the life of charity and the grace of God within us. It is seen as the roof of all sin, and John terms it to be “the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of the life” (1 Jn 2:16). Capital sins therefore are disruptions of natural tendencies that are required for our human flourishing and happiness. Since the time of Pope Saint Gregory the Great (who lived from 540 to 604 AD) the Catholic Church has maintained that there are seven capital sins, also referred to as the seven mortal sins, seven deadly sins, or seven capital vices. Mortal sin refers to sin, due to action and intention, which is of a graver nature than venial sin. Where venial sin is relatively minor, mortal sin creates the threat of eternal damnation, a full turning away from God on the part of the sinner, unless absolved of the sin. In the early centuries of the Church, the formal list of the capital sins took a few different forms. The earliest predecessor to the list that has been accepted for the past millennium was penned in the 4th century by a monk named Evagrius Ponticus, who listed eight "evil thoughts." Seven of these evil thoughts were first listed formally by Pope Gregory the Great and later were enumerated by Thomas Aquinas in the Summa Theologiae. Since that time, theologians have retained the list. What are therefore these seven evil thoughts or capital sins all about?
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Pride
- Presumptuousness
- Ambition
- Vanity
- Remedies
- Greed
- Remedies
- Gluttony
- Drunkenness
- Alcoholism
- The Use of Drugs
- Remedies
- Lust
- Sloth
- Remedies
- Envy
- Remedy
- Anger or Wrath
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to explore the seven capital sins as defined by the Catholic Church, examining their nature, manifestations, and remedies. It delves into the theological understanding of these sins, their historical context, and their impact on human flourishing.
- The theological definition and significance of the seven capital sins.
- The manifestations and consequences of each capital sin.
- The remedies or spiritual practices suggested to overcome each sin.
- The relationship between the capital sins and other related vices.
- The historical context and development of the concept of capital sins within the Catholic tradition.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the theological framework for understanding the seven capital sins. It explains the concept of capital vices as sins that give rise to many other sins, emphasizing their threat to charity and God's grace. The chapter highlights the historical development of the list of seven capital sins, tracing it back to early Church figures like Evagrius Ponticus and Pope Gregory the Great and their formalization by Thomas Aquinas. The introduction sets the stage for a detailed examination of each sin individually.
Pride: This chapter defines pride as an excessive appreciation of one's own worth, considered the most serious of the seven sins as it often leads to others. It discusses manifestations of pride, including presumptuousness (overestimating one's abilities), ambition (inordinate desire for honor), and vanity (inordinate love of others' esteem). The chapter emphasizes that while pride itself is a root sin, its expressions can vary in gravity. Remedies for pride include self-knowledge, contemplation of Christ's humility, and the practice of humility.
Greed: The chapter on greed defines it as an immoderate desire for earthly goods and power. It explores the sin's various expressions, such as hoarding, theft, and manipulation. The chapter contrasts greed with prodigality (excessive spending), highlighting the virtue of liberality as a balance. Remedies proposed include contemplation on the vanity of earthly possessions and meditation on the spiritual life of Christ.
Gluttony: This chapter defines gluttony as overindulgence in food and drink. It outlines the various ways in which this sin can manifest, including eating too much, too quickly, or too expensively, referencing Pope Gregory the Great and Thomas Aquinas' classifications. The chapter also examines related sins like drunkenness, alcoholism, and drug abuse, emphasizing the serious physical and psychological consequences. Remedies focus on moderation, mindful consumption, and a re-orientation of one's values.
Lust: The chapter on lust explores the misuse of God's gift of sexuality through impure thoughts and actions. It defines lust as impure sexual desire, distinguishing between the inherent goodness of sexuality and its perversion through lustful acts. The chapter lists examples such as fornication, adultery, and rape, and touches on the potential for sexual addiction.
Sloth: This chapter clarifies that sloth is more than simple laziness; it's spiritual laziness, a lack of diligence in practicing one's faith and virtues. It describes sloth as sadness or torpor in the face of spiritual good, a direct opposition to charity. The chapter explains how sloth manifests in neglecting spiritual practices and offering excuses to avoid spiritual effort. Remedies include meditation on the last things, mortification, and prayer.
Keywords
Seven capital sins, pride, greed, gluttony, lust, sloth, envy, anger, mortal sin, venial sin, theological virtues, remedies, spiritual practices, Catholic theology, Thomas Aquinas, Pope Gregory the Great.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Seven Capital Sins
What is this text about?
This text provides a comprehensive overview of the seven capital sins (pride, greed, gluttony, lust, sloth, envy, and anger) as defined by the Catholic Church. It explores their nature, manifestations, consequences, and potential remedies or spiritual practices for overcoming them. The text also delves into the theological understanding, historical context, and impact of these sins on human flourishing.
What topics are covered in the text's table of contents?
The table of contents includes an introduction, followed by sections dedicated to each of the seven capital sins (Pride, Greed, Gluttony, Lust, Sloth, Envy, and Anger). Each sin section often includes subsections detailing specific manifestations and potential remedies. The remedies section focuses on spiritual practices and methods to overcome each sin.
What are the key objectives and themes explored in this text?
The primary objective is to explore the seven capital sins, examining their theological definition and significance, manifestations and consequences, and suggested remedies. Key themes include the theological understanding of these sins, their historical context within the Catholic tradition, their relationship to other vices, and their impact on human flourishing.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
The text provides summaries for each chapter. The introduction lays the theological groundwork and historical context. Each subsequent chapter on a capital sin defines the sin, outlines its manifestations, and suggests remedies. The summaries give a concise overview of the content of each section.
How are the seven capital sins defined and explained in this text?
Each capital sin is given a detailed explanation. For instance, pride is defined as an excessive appreciation of one's worth, greed as an immoderate desire for earthly goods and power, gluttony as overindulgence in food and drink, lust as impure sexual desire, sloth as spiritual laziness, envy as resentment of another's good fortune, and anger as uncontrolled rage.
What remedies or spiritual practices are suggested to overcome the capital sins?
The text suggests various remedies for each sin. These include practices such as self-knowledge and contemplation of Christ's humility for pride, contemplation on the vanity of earthly possessions for greed, moderation and mindful consumption for gluttony, and meditation on the last things for sloth. Specific remedies are tailored to the nature of each individual sin.
What is the historical context and development of the concept of capital sins?
The text traces the historical development of the seven capital sins, referencing early Church figures like Evagrius Ponticus and Pope Gregory the Great, and their later formalization by Thomas Aquinas. It highlights the evolution of the concept within the Catholic tradition.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include: Seven capital sins, pride, greed, gluttony, lust, sloth, envy, anger, mortal sin, venial sin, theological virtues, remedies, spiritual practices, Catholic theology, Thomas Aquinas, Pope Gregory the Great.
- Quote paper
- Pierre Mvogo Amougou (Author), 2019, The Capital Sins According to Saint Thomas Aquinas. Description and Remedies, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1131072
