The Grace of Christ and the Grace of God in Augustine of Hippo: Christocentrism or Theocentrism

The two studies in this book bring to light a tension that dominates the entire theological thinking of Augustine: Is Augustines theology to be viewed as Christocentric or theocentric? The problem may be stated another way: What is the relationship between the orders of creation and redemption? Is there a difference in principle or only a gradation between the creative action of God and Gods action in grace or between nature and grace? In Augustines view faith depends in fact primarily on "the authority of Christ." But to what extent is this authority grounded in the authority of God? At the same time human beings owe the certainty of their judgment to the presence of the interior teacher. But is not the eternal truth that enlightens the mind identical with the Word that God has spoken? These two studies of Christ and God are intended to give an answer or at least elements of an answer to this most complex question.