A Treatise on Rebuke and Grace

by Augustine of Hippo

— A Classic — Includes Active Table of Contents — Includes Religious Illustrations

I Wrote again to the same persons another treatise, which I entitled On Rebuke and Grace, because I had been told that some one there had said that no man ought to be rebuked for not doing God’s commandments, but that prayer only should be made on his behalf, that he may do them. This book begins on this wise, “I have read your letters, dearly beloved brother Valentine.”

Aeterna Press

Genres: Theology

51 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 395

About the author

Early church father and philosopher Saint Augustine served from 396 as the bishop of Hippo in present-day Algeria and through such writings as the autobiographical Confessions in 397 and the voluminous City of God from 413 to 426 profoundly influenced Christianity, argued against Manichaeism and Donatism, and helped to establish the doctrine of original sin.

An Augustinian follows the principles and doctrines of Saint Augustine.

People also know Aurelius Augustinus in English of Regius (Annaba). From the Africa province of the Roman Empire, people generally consider this Latin theologian of the greatest thinkers of all times. He very developed the west. According to Jerome, a contemporary, Augustine renewed "the ancient Faith."

The Neo-Platonism of Plotinus afterward heavily weighed his years. After conversion and his baptism in 387, Augustine developed his own approach to theology and accommodated a variety of methods and different perspectives. He believed in the indispensable grace to human freedom and framed the concept of just war. When the Western Roman Empire started to disintegrate from the material earth, Augustine developed the concept of the distinct Catholic spirituality in a book of the same name. He thought the medieval worldview. Augustine closely identified with the community that worshiped the Trinity. The Catholics and the Anglican communion revere this preeminent doctor. Many Protestants, especially Calvinists, consider his due teaching on salvation and divine grace of the theology of the Reformation. The Eastern Orthodox also consider him. He carries the additional title of blessed. The Orthodox call him "Blessed Augustine" or "Saint Augustine the Blessed."

Santo Agostinho

Reviews

[Austin Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this little book in the footnotes of Calvin’s Institutes. I wanted to read Augustine to see if Calvin was being fair to the original source. I must say, Augustine was far more in line with Calvin than I had previously thought. Augustine’s doctrine of grace was clearly the seedbed for Calvin’s.

Augustine is answering an objection/question he received along the lines of, “If my will can only be moved toward the good by the grace of God, why do you rebuke me when I do wrong? Why don’t you just pray that God would change my will?”

Whether or not you think Augustine answered the question adequately, this is an invaluable resource for historical theology.

[Michael Batchelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts difficult and some pretty straightforward. Reviewing St. Augustine is always difficult, because most of the translations are old and the English is sometimes difficult. This translation is no different. Part 1 here is easier than part 2.

[Luke Schmeltzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehh, I found this one less convincing. Augustine argues that predestination does not negate human responsibility, so we are therefore still accountable to rebuke those in sin and be rebuked when in sin. Rebuke for sin serves either to correct the elect unto life or rightly judge the non-elect in their guilt, according to the Lord's sovereign plan. This is all well and good, but he begins to add another category of those who have been regenerated and justified by baptism but not given the gift of perseverance. Therefore, someone can be truly saved but have no assurance that they are elected to persevere to the end. This, I do not find consistent with Scripture.

[Anita Keatts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening

Had to read for a class. Some places are a little hard to follow,but take time to try and understand what he is saying. There is a lot of good theology in this book. Rebuke is necessary. What he has to say about free will is pretty awesome.