A DISCUSSION ON AUGUSTINE'S NOTION OF PREDESTINATION AND ITS LATER INTERPRETATION IN SALVATION HISTORY

Abstract

Salvation is at the core of Christianity.  It is something that can be bought.  Rather, it is offered gratuitously by God out of love.  However, each and every person has to make his/her own this salvation.  In other words, one has to make his/her own this salvation offered by God.  This article discusses the doctrine of Predestination as seen by Augustine and its later interpretation by other theologians.   In the opinion of Augustine God has the intention to save all human beings - cf. I Tim. 2:4.  God has destined this from the beginning of creation.  However, this salvation is not on a silver platter.  One has to make a conscious effort to make his/her own this salvation.  Furthermore, the article examines how later theologians have looked at the doctrine of Predestination.  Finally, the article posits that later interpretations have not been faithful to the mindset of Augustine.  It concludes that it is the intention of God to save all.  God's foreknowledge does not mean predetermination.  One has to make good use of one's Free will and choose the salvation offered by God in order to be saved.  If one misses salvation, it means one made a wrong use one's Free will.  In writing this article the author uses the literary approach that is library sources.