Gratia Pro Gratia: Augustine\u27s Doctrine of Grace

The thesis explores the place of the doctrine of grace in Augustine\u27s theology in two areas. First, Augustine\u27s view of grace is considered as a result of his personal experience of faith. By examining writings from three periods of Augustine\u27s life, the thesis finds that this personal experience, rather than controversy per se, is responsible for his understanding of grace. His early understanding is demonstrated in his autobiographical work, The Confessions, a testimony to God\u27s grace in his life. Augustine\u27s later writings during the anti-Pelagian writings and in his handbook on Christianity, The Enchiridion, contain this doctrine in its fullness without changing it substantially. The thesis finds that although the presentation is different at different times, these different presentations contain a consistency in essence on three points: God\u27s grace as sustaining, the complete responsibility of humankind for individual sins, and the related necessity for grace as the only means by which individuals can acquire salvation. Second, the thesis analyzes the place of the doctrine in Augustine\u27s general doctrine of salvation. It is maintained in the thesis that Augustine combines his understanding of grace with the early Church\u27s notion of works-righteousness in such a way as to create a confusing, if not contradictory, scheme of salvation. Human beings earn salvation, but only earn salvation by the work of grace within them. Fundamental to this view is a confusion of two admittedly interrelated, but distinct, theological concepts: justification and sanctification. By examining the etymology of the two terms in light of Augustine\u27s theology, the thesis determines that Augustine and the early Church have misunderstood the distinction between the two concepts. They are essentially synonyms in their minds. The good works which ought to be considered a part of sanctification (the process of becoming more like Christ) are instead primarily to be understood in Augustine as merit in order to earn salvation. However, Augustine\u27s doctrine of grace clouds the issue because the works that earn salvation are only possible because God\u27s grace creates the ability within humans. In another system, without Augustine\u27s focus on grace, a purely moralistic system could develop; but in Augustine, grace is always the controlling thought that informs his theology