There are a number of important aspects to consider while analyzing how St. Augustine's
teachings on free will and grace influenced people. Secondly, since St. Augustine's thoughts
were influenced by his experiences and the intellectual traditions of his day, it is important to
understand the historical and cultural environment in which he wrote. Although St.
Augustine's teachings have been the topic of continuing discussion and different
interpretations, it is also important to look at how later philosophers have understood his
concepts. It is indeed important to recognize St. Augustine's ideas' extensive influence on
literature, philosophy, politics, ethics, and religion. Lastly, it is important to recognise St.
Augustine's contributions to current debate on human freedom, belief, reason, and the place
of the church in society.
Chapter II: St. Augustine’s Views on the Free Will and Grace
The foundation of St. Augustine's view of free choice is his conviction that human nature is
flawed and tainted by sin. St. Augustine thought that although humans were born with free
choice, this freedom was constrained by their fallen nature (St. Augustine, 1964, p. 129). St.
Augustine defined original sin as the state of inherited guilt and depravity that mankind has
because of Adam and Eve's initial sin in the Garden of Eden (St. Augustine, 1964, p. 131-
132). The disobedience of Adam and Eve, which resulted in their eviction from the Garden of
Eden and the creation of sin and death, is what caused this generational shame and
corruption. All people are born into a condition of sin and corruption, according to St.
Augustine, who also thought that original sin is passed down through procreation (St.
Augustine, 1964, p. 140).
St. Augustine thought that due to this fallen nature, people are unable to freely choose
between good and evil. He held that everyone is a slave to sin and that without the aid of
divine mercy, no one can rise above their fallen state. According to St. Augustine, the human
will is not truly free in the sense that it cannot make moral decisions independently of human
corruption. Alternatively, he thought that without God's favour, the human will be
constrained by sin and could only choose evil (St. Augustine, 1964, p. 148).
According to St. Augustine, grace is a gift from God that helps people overcome their sinful
nature and come to salvation. His belief in original sin and the fallen nature of humanity
informed this idea, which led him to the conclusion that people cannot find salvation by their
own efforts (St. Augustine, 1964, p. 161-162). All people, according to St. Augustine, had
access to grace, but they had the freedom to embrace or reject it. Grace was not, however,
ineffable. The foundation of St. Augustine's theology was his idea of grace, which had a
