Concupiscence

1. Catholic doctrine defines concupiscence as the carnal desire of ones lower sensuous appetite over the rational appetite. This appetite is fulfilled through the gratification of ones senses while the rational appetite can only satisfied through the search for God. As the lower appetite is allowed to grow, it consumes the will and restricts ones ability to contemplate the rationality of the desire. Essentially, concupiscence describes the sensuous appetites defiance over the rational appetite in its search for gratification.

2. In opposition to the sensuous appetite, the rational will is capable of asserting its control over the lower appetite. Whenever the rational will resists the sensuous appetite, a battle for control ensues. If our yearning for God outweighs our need for sensuous gratification then the rational appetite will be able to triumph.

3. Concupiscence and sin are not the same thing. Sin by its very nature is free and deliberate transgression of the law of God, whereas concupiscence merely deals with the sensuous appetite tempting the will into sin. An act can only be considered sinful if it effects the rational appetite and provokes the will into action. Since concupiscence does not necessarily lead to action it is not considered sinful. It is only when the will consents and allows the lower appetite to defy the rational appetite and be carried out that the act can be considered sinful. However, the more we submit to the desires of our sensuous appetite, the stronger the temptations to sin will be in the future.

4. The major distinction between the two forms of concupiscence is that antecedent concupiscence is not believed to be a sin whereas consequent concupiscence is. Antecedent concupiscence merely tempts the will into indulging in the sensuous appetite. This enticement towards the lower appetite is not a sinful act, but rather a natural trait of all humans. On the other hand, consequent concupiscence is deemed a sin because it compels the will to satisfy the lower appetite. In essence, antecedent concupiscence is the initial reaction the sensuous appetite undergoes when stimulated and cannot be held against man as a sin. Consequent concupiscence however, is a sin because the will freely sides with the lower appetite and allows it to reign over the rational appetite.

5. God created Adam and Eve without concupiscence which ensured the rational appetites dominance over the sensuous appetite. However, through Adams defiance of Gods will humans lost the prenatural gift of God forever. Instead of living completely in tune with God through the rational appetite, Adams original sin allowed the lower appetite the freedom to grow. Through his defiance concupiscence prompted humans to lust towards sensuous gratification, which destroyed the body and corrupted the mind. Essentially, Adam and Eve allowed humans to deny their rational appetite inclined towards God, in favor of gratifying their sensuous desires.

6. Catholic and Protestant doctrine appear to differ significantly in their respective views regarding concupiscence. Unlike Catholics who believe that original justice and grace are gifted to humans from God, Protestants believe that original justice and grace are inherent aspect of mans nature. Secondly, Protestants affirm that concupiscence is sinful by its very nature and is the root of original sin. Catholics on the other hand believe that Adam was created without the weight of concupiscence, and it was only through original sin that plagued future generations. Finally, both the Protestant and Anglican Church believe that baptism does not atone completely for the guilt of Adams original sin. The sacrament merely lessens the guilt but does not completely absolve man from original sin. Conversely, Catholic doctrine asserts that through the grace of baptism, the plague of original sin is completely removed from man. In defense of its teachings, the Catholic Church condemns the teachings of the Protestant church in so far as it applies to concupiscence and original sin.