In Augustine’s treatise De Spiritu et Littera (“On the Spirit and the Letter”), he addresses the critical theological issues of grace, human will, and the law. He confronts the ideas propagated by Pelagianism, a doctrine that downplays original sin and emphasizes human free will. Written around 412 AD, this work is part of Augustine’s broader effort to clarify the nature of divine grace and its necessity in human salvation. Moreover, his writing responds to the Pelagian controversy, in which Pelagius and his followers argued that humans could achieve righteousness through their efforts without divine aid. Augustine counters this by stressing that human nature, tainted by original sin, is incapable of achieving true righteousness without God’s grace. He asserts that the law, given through Moses, reveals sin but cannot save humanity from its consequences.
Law and Grace
Central to Augustine’s argument in De Spiritu et Littera is the distinction between the law (the letter) and grace (the spirit). The law, according to Augustine, serves to convict humans of their sins and demonstrates their need for divine intervention. However, it lacks the power to enable obedience. Only the Holy Spirit can transform the human heart, instilling the love and ability to fulfill God’s commandments. Thus, the law reveals the standard of righteousness, while grace empowers one to live according to that standard.
Augustine emphasizes the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in renewing the human will and enabling genuine righteousness. He argues that human efforts are doomed to fail without the Spirit’s intervention. The Holy Spirit writes God’s law on believers’ hearts, enabling them to act out of love rather than fear. This internal transformation contrasts with the external observance of the law, which Pelagius and his followers emphasized.
Faith and Grace
A key theme in De Spiritu et Littera is the nature of faith and its relationship to grace. Augustine argues that faith itself is a gift from God, not a product of human effort. This faith, bestowed by grace, consoles and encourages the terrified mind, as opposed to the mere knowledge possessed by the ungodly. Augustine insists that this faith is transformative, leading to a confident trust in God’s promises and the assurance of salvation.
This brings up the question: What written work did Augustine admonish his readers concerning the word “faith” to teach them that the term “faith” is accepted in the Scriptures, not for knowledge such as is in the ungodly but for confidence which consoles and encourages the terrified mind (Augsburg Confession, Article 20 [26])?
In Chapter 11 of “On the Spirit and the Letter,” Augustine discusses the nature of faith and its role in the life of a believer. He contrasts the mere intellectual assent, which even the ungodly can possess, with the deeper, comforting confidence that true faith provides. This confidence (con-fide is Latin for “with faith”) is a gift of the Holy Spirit, which brings consolation and encouragement to the believer, especially in times of fear and distress.
Here is an excerpt that captures Augustine’s teaching on this matter:
“For to believe is nothing other than to think with assent… And thus they distinguish faith from that knowledge which is possessed even by the devils, for whom it is not conducive to salvation.”
So Augustine emphasizes that true faith involves a trusting confidence in God’s promises and the work of Christ rather than mere knowledge or intellectual assent. This faith is transformative, bringing peace and assurance to the believer’s heart. He further argues against the Pelagian view that human effort alone, without divine grace, is sufficient for salvation. He emphasizes the necessity of divine grace for true faith and righteousness.
Significance
Augustine’s clarification of the nature of faith as both trust and confidence, rather than mere knowledge, has had a lasting impact on reformed theology centered upon biblical doctrine. It highlights the experiential and relational aspects of faith, which involve a deep reliance on God’s grace and a personal relationship with Him. By addressing this in On the Spirit and the Letter, Augustine provides a fuller understanding of faith that distinguishes it from mere intellectual belief to cement its purpose in the believer’s spiritual life and assurance.
He further calls for a humble recognition of human limitations and a deep reliance on God’s grace. This theological perspective fosters a life of prayer, seeking continual renewal by the Holy Spirit. To include insights that encourage believers to view their moral efforts as responses to divine grace rather than attempts to earn favor with God. Particularly in understanding the dynamics of law, grace, and human will. Augustine is adamant about the total inability of humans to achieve righteousness on their own. He illustrates that even the desire to do good originates from God’s grace. By emphasizing human dependency on divine presence, Augustine highlights the futility of Pelagianism, which wrongly asserts human sufficiency.
This doctrine of dependence makes clear the necessity of grace for any truly good action. His articulation of the necessity of grace for true righteousness and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit continues to resonate in theological discussions. Augustine’s work not only countered Pelagianism in his time but also laid foundational principles for future theological developments, stressing the indispensable role of divine grace in the life of every believer.
