Election of Grace: Augustine’s Doctrine of Predestination
This article examines Augustine's doctrine of predestination and its foundational significance for Reformed theology, arguing that Augustine established predestination as essential to understanding salvation by grace alone against semi-Pelagian errors. Langerak demonstrates how Augustine's biblical definition of predestination—God's eternal choice of the elect in Christ according to His sovereign will and grace—became formative for the Reformed creeds and confessions. The work will appeal to those seeking to understand the patristic and historical roots of Reformed teaching on election and grace.
All who love the Reformed faith should give thanks for Augustine. Through him, the Lord imparted to us a rich, enduring knowledge, especially of grace. His contribution to our understanding of grace is substantial, even foundational, for by grace are we saved. But Reformed believers may want to consider his development of predestination greater, more important, and essential to our faith. Not because predestination itself is more important, or even because his development of it was so robust....
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org