Grace and free will: a contrast between Augustine and Luther

Abstract

The question of grace and free will, based on the Augustinian thought, was and still remains the subject of debate among cotemporary theologians and philosophers, due to the importance of this issue in human affairs. This article aims to clarify the relationship between the thought of St. Augustine and the thought of Luther on the issue of grace and free will. We try to show how Luther, anchored in St. Augustine discussion, proposes a relationship between grace and free will in man, when he says that man can not decide on anything that comes to him, just simply to be like a donkey guided by whom mounts him. Thus, Luther reveals a rather pessimistic position about man, what can’t be said so pointedly in relation to St. Augustine.