Summary of text [comment] page 82

[To me, the preceding scenario demonstrates Augustine’s genius. He provides an intellectual distraction that veils the undeniable claims of the Manichean philosophers.

“Observe the world”, the Manichean argues, “and see that matter is corruptible and the spirit is incorruptible.”

Yes, it was obvious to the men folk, but every mother knows different.

“Observe my baby,” each mother says to herself, “and see that this little bundle of joy is pure original innocence.”

“Just like,” Augustine pipes in, “Adam and Eve in Paradise.”]

[Baptism provides the grace to overcome Original Sin.

Baptism brings us back to the original innocence (but not the perfection) of Adam and Eve.]

[Through Adam, our corruptible mortal flesh smothers and misdirects our eternal spiritual spark.

It does not matter whether we are literally descended from Adam’s loins or whether Adam somehow represented all humanity.

We all know the punchline: When Adam sinned, we all fell.]

Summary of text [comment] page 82

[Consider Adam and Eve’s first babies. One murdered the other.

Every baby is capable of growing up and murdering any other baby.

The reason is desire. Our desires are so disordered that reason cannot bring them under control.

This is Original Sin.]

[Adam and Eve leaving the garden is like the soul descending into the corruption of matter.

Nothing good comes of this. All humanity falls. Even babies are doomed.]