God Crowns His Own Gifts: Augustine, Grace, and the Monks of Hadrumetum

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) was the model pastor-theologian who both defended orthodox theology from heresy and shepherded those under his care as bishop. During the Pelagian controversy we see this clearly illustrated in his defense of predestination against radical affirmations of the freedom of the will. However, during the so-called “semi-Pelagian” controversy Augustine demonstrated his pastoral sensitivity wherein he articulated a view of the will that did not absolve humans of their moral responsibility before God. Late in his ministry he was led to address the concerns of a group of unwitting monks in Hadrumetum who feared that his earlier view of grace and predestination made humans mere automatons. With great care he showed that humans were indeed free moral agents, even if their wills were bound by sin and requiring of saving grace. With this balance we see Augustine, without contradiction, strenuously defend predestination against the Pelagians and affirm the freedom of the will in dialogue with the monks of Hadrumetum. This is well illustrated in a selection of his anti-Pelagian writings, namely his Letter 194 to Pope Sixtus and in the series of writings to the monks of Hadrumetum. In this book Ian Clary relates these works with the aim of elucidating the twofold role of Augustine as pastor-theologian: a fierce defender of orthodoxy and a humble teacher of the faith.

Publisher: H & E publishing
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781774840191

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Ian Hugh Clary (PhD, The Jonathan Edwards Centre Africa, The University of the Free State, Bloemfontein) is Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Colorado Christian University, Lakewood, Colorado. He is a review editor for Evangelical Quarterly and co-host of the Into Theology podcast with The Gospel Coalition Canada.

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‘Based primarily on two letters Augustine wrote, the author looks at the growth in Augustine’s understanding in his view of grace and free will. Early on, Augustine had a more flexible understanding which allowed for human free which will change God’s plan. Later on, as he debated the Arians, he came out strongly in favor of Absolute Predestination. The Monks of Hadrumetum were one group that Augustine had contact with that did not understand and embrace his change in views. If the scholarly debates came from the theologian Augustine, then the explanation given to the monks was pastoral instruction. In recent years, there has been an argument put forth that ministers are to be pastor/theologians, both being involved in the academy and in the ministry among the people of the church. In this, pastors grow in knowledge and in grace. A minister who only lives in books is lacking in ability to minister, as is the person who only lives in social problem. Take Augustine to learn what it means to be a pastor/theologian.’ Peter Butler Jr.