428–429
Latin
On the Predestination of the Saints
Augustine of Hippo · 354–430
A late work written for monks in Gaul, arguing that even the beginning of faith is God's gift and not a human contribution that God then rewards.
401–500
The Fifth Century
2 works
c. 450
Latin
The Call of All Nations
Prosper of Aquitaine · c. 390–c. 455
A softened Augustinianism arguing that God genuinely wills all to be saved while salvation remains entirely by grace, written to make peace among the monks of Gaul.
Western · Theology1 Timothy
501–600
The Sixth Century
2 works
c. 523
Latin
To Peter on the Faith
De Fide ad Petrum
Fulgentius of Ruspe · c. 462–527
A compact rule of faith written for a man setting off for Jerusalem, summarising Augustine's teaching on the Trinity, the incarnation, and predestination in numbered propositions.
Western · Handbook
529
Latin
The Canons of the Second Council of Orange
The Council of Orange
Twenty-five canons settling the long quarrel over grace: the beginning of faith is itself God's gift, but the council pointedly declines to teach predestination to damnation.
Western · Canons
801–900
The Ninth Century
2 works
c. 848–850
Latin
The Writings on Predestination
Gottschalk of Orbais · c. 808–c. 867
Confessions and treatises arguing a double predestination — of the elect to life and the reprobate to death — from Augustine, by a monk who refused to retract.
Western · TheologyRomans
851
Latin
On Divine Predestination
John Scotus Eriugena · c. 815–c. 877
Commissioned to refute Gottschalk, he argues that since God is simple and outside time there can be no double anything in him, and that evil has no substance to be predestined.
Western · Theology
1301–1400
The Fourteenth Century
1 work
c. 1344
Latin
On the Cause of God Against Pelagius
Thomas Bradwardine · c. 1300–1349
A mathematician's defence of grace and predestination, arguing more geometrico against contemporaries he thought had made salvation depend on human initiative.
Scholastic · TheologyRomans
1401–1500
The Fifteenth Century
1 work
1413
Latin
On the Church
De Ecclesia
Jan Hus · c. 1372–1415
The church defined as the whole body of the predestined, whose head is Christ — so that a pope in mortal sin is no true head, and obedience is owed to commands only insofar as they accord with scripture.
Western · TheologyEphesians1 Corinthians
1601–1700
The Seventeenth Century
2 works
1608
Dutch
The Declaration of Sentiments
Jacobus Arminius · 1560–1609
A defence before the States of Holland of his views on predestination, arguing that election is conditional on foreseen faith and that God's grace may be resisted.
Reformed · ApologiaRomans
1618–1619
Latin
The Canons of Dort
The Synod of Dort
An international Reformed synod answers the Remonstrance under five heads — unconditional election, definite atonement, total depravity, irresistible grace, and perseverance.
Reformed · Canons