Augustinian soteriology
Augustinian soteriology refers to Augustine of Hippo's (354–430) view on human salvation and God's providence.
His doctrines, such as predestination by predeterminism, became foundational for later theological developments and had a lasting impact on Christian thought up to the Reformation.
Augustine's influence on John Calvin (1509–1564) was particularly significant in shaping Calvinist soteriology and its understanding of divine providence.
[4] Early church fathers prior to Augustine of Hippo (354–430) refuted non-choice predeterminism as being pagan.
[8] This soteriology can be articulated in the following points: human depravity, unconditional predestination, effectual calling, irresistible grace, and final perseverance.
[37] Another key element within infant baptism was Augustine's early training in Stoicism, an ancient philosophy in which a meticulous god predetermines every detailed event in the universe.
[38] This included the falling of a leaf from a tree to its exact location on the ground and the subtle movements of muscles in roosters' necks as they fight, which he explained in his first work, De providentia (On Providence).
Augustine reasoned further that God actively blocked the parents of other infants from reaching the baptismal waters before their baby died.
Augustine changed the cause of total depravity to Adam's guilt but kept the Stoic, Manichaean, and Neoplatonic concepts of the human dead will requiring god's infused grace and faith to respond.
2:4 taught that God gave the gift of faith to all persons, which Augustine easily refuted by changing wills/desires to "provides opportunity".
[65] Through the influence of grace, however, this will becomes a spiritually "freed will" or literally a "liberated free will" (Latin: liberum arbitrium liberatum).
[66] Prevenient grace first imparts essential spiritual enlightenment, after which the power to believe is granted exclusively to the elect.
Augustine taught that among those regenerated through baptism, some are given an additional gift of perseverance ("donum perseverantiae") which enables them to maintain their faith and prevents them from falling away.
[78][79][13] Hilary of Galeata (476–558) expressed concern that many Christians resisted Augustine’s radical view of perseverance.
[19][88] Prosper of Aquitaine (c. 390 – c. 455) expressed concerns that many Christians resisted Augustine’s new and controversial view of predestination.
[94] Between the 5th century and the Reformation in the 16th century, theologians who upheld Augustinian soteriology, included: Gottschalk of Orbais (c. 808–868),[95][96] Ratramnus (died 868),[97] Thomas Bradwardine (1300–1349),[98][99][100] Gregory of Rimini (1300–1358),[101][102] John Wycliffe (1320s – 1384),[103][104] Johann Ruchrat von Wesel (died 1481),[105][106] Girolamo Savonarola (1452–1498)[107] and Johann von Staupitz (1460–1524).
[109] Augustine is widely regarded as the most influential patristic figure for the Reformation, which was shaped by theologians deeply rooted in his soteriology,[73] including Martin Luther (1483–1546),[110] Huldrych Zwingli (1484–1531),[111] and John Calvin (1509–1564).
"[113] "This is why one finds that every four pages written in the Institutes of the Christian Religion John Calvin quoted Augustine.
[112] Specialist of Augustine, Phillip Cary concurs, writing, "As a result, Calvinism in particular is sometimes referred to as Augustinianism.
[118] A basic summary of the Canons of Dort is given by the five points of Calvinism:[119] Total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints.
[118] Modern Reformed theologians continues to assert these points as a simple summary of the Calvinist soteriological doctrines.
[121][122] John Calvin states: "By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen with regard to every man.
