510
RESEARCH
PAPER:
GRACE AND FREE WILL
Thesis
Augustine's concept of Grace and Free Will affirms the confidence of salvation, but fails
to explain how God is not the author of evil by not choosing everyone to be saved.
Outline
Introduction
I. Concept of Salvation
A. Problem of Predestination
1. Origin of Grace
2. Necessity of Grace
B. Choosing Piety
1. Virtue in the 1200s
2. Benefits of Grace
C. Assimilation To God
1. Seeking God’s Guidance
2. Living in the Spirit
II. Concept of Free Will
A. Medival and Modern Perspective
1. John Duns Scotus
2. Alexander of Aphrodisias
3. David Hume
B. Augustine's objections to free-will approaches in 400s A.D.
1. Augustine's expressions of dissatisfaction
2. Happiness
3. Personal Responsibility
C. A new 'explanation' of the Fall
1. Impact of Choice
2. Autonomy
3. Positive Effects
III. God Causes Evil
A. Aquinas Beliefs on Evil in the 1200s
1. Logical Problem of Evil
2. Tendency of Mankind
B. Aquinas's Defence Against The Problem Of Evil
1. Order of the Universe
2. Existence is Good
C. Daniel Kodaj
1. Fear of the After Life
2. Biblical Contradicts
3. Controversy with Salvation
510
Conclusion
The concept of salvation is easy for believers to understand once they can live in the
spirit. Free will offers you the opportunity to make your own decisions which could be
interpreted as having the power of self. Regardless of what the scripture states regarding
salvation, people still debate over the means to reach salvation. As people begin to search for
truth within themselves, the concept of seeking salvation through the divine will be limited.
510
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Bibliography
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Havrda, Matyás. "Grace and Free Will According to Clement of Alexandria."Journal of Early
Christian Studies, vol. 19, no. 1, 2011, pp. 21-48.
Kretzmann, Norman. "God among the Causes of Moral Evil: The Hardening of Hearts and Spiritual
Blinding."Philosophical Topics, vol. 16, no. 2, 1988, pp. 189.
Skjönsberg, Max. “David Hume and the Jacobites.”BThe Scottish historical review.B100, no. 1
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