Thoughts on Sin by Ted Peters (1994) Concupiscence 5J

Augustine was addicted by way of the body.  Pelagius was addicted by way of the soul.  The former addiction may be more forgiving than the latter.

Pride(anxiety(faithUnChristian) may set the stage for being with Cupid by way of the body, but pride may be broken on the self-annihilating wheel of physical addiction.  Attempts to justify one’s addiction are often not sufficient to maintain the turning of the wheel.  But self-justification is a powerful assist as long as the wheel turns.

Concupiscence parallels anxiety(faithUnChristian).  The former is on the plane of “doing”.  The latter is on the plane of “setting the stage for doing”.

Perhaps another way to depict “concupiscence” is “state of being(with Cupid)” on the plane of “doing”.  Here, “state of being” would match “anxiety” as undeniably emotional and soma-oriented.  “With Cupid” would match “faithUnChristian”.  Cupid’s arrow places a finite desire in the place where a transcendent longing should be.  Cupid’s arrow tells you to say “yes” when you should say “no”.

When Augustine asked for grace, he had to swallow his pride.  He could not justify his addiction.  He repented.