Gratia Et Certamen

Have you ever wondered how we got here? Have you ever wondered how Western civilization arrived at the brink of suicide? How did a thoroughly Christian culture give rise to the very ideas that seek to kill it? Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks. Western civilization has never been conquered from without; it is being conquered from within. How do philosophies like deism, fatalism, Marxism, atheism, and secular humanism arise from within the confines of the Christian theological culture that is Western civilization? Also, why are there always exactly two sides to every fundamental disagreement? Why is it either liberal or conservative, sovereignty or freedom, rational or volitional, meticulous order or complete chaos, Catholic or Protestant, Lutheran or Reformed, God or humanity, the one or the many? Why is there never a third option, or even an option that can bypass the dichotomy? This book attempts to provide a framework that seeks to begin answering some of those questions. The answer may be something very ancient and almost forgotten in today's world. Theological decisions were made long ago that planted the seeds for the destruction of both church and civilization. What are they? Read and find out.

The Pelagian Controversy (411-431) was one of the most important theological controversies in the history of Christianity. It was a bitter and messy affair in the evening of the Roman Empire that addressed some of the most important questions that we ask about ourselves: Who are we? What does it mean to be a human being? Are we good, or are we evil? Are we burdened by an uncontrollable impulse to sin? Do we have free will? It was comprised by a group of men who were some of the greatest thinkers of Late Antiquity, such as Augustine, Jerome, John Cassian, Pelagius, Caelestius, and Julian of Eclanum. These men were deeply immersed in the rich Roman literary and intellectual traditions of that time, and they, along with many other great minds of this period, tried to create equally rich Christian literary and intellectual traditions. This controversy--which is usually of interest only to historians and theologians of Christianity--should be appreciated by a wide audience because it was the primary event that shaped the way Christians came to understand the human person for the next 1,600 years. It is still relevant today because anthropological questions continue to haunt our public discourse.

Augustine’s Cyprian retraces the demise of Donatist Christianity in ancient North Africa. Set during the Roman Empire’s collapse, this work accounts how Augustine of Hippo initiated one of the most prolific re-appropriations of authority in ancient Christianity: Cyprian of Carthage.

Intrepid Lover of Perfect Grace provides students and scholars with the first biography of Prosper of Aquitaine (388-455) and the first book-length study in English of this important figure in the history of Christianity

Over the last twenty years, increasing attention has been given to the interpretation of St. Paul in the Middle Ages. This is one of the first scholarly volumes to look broadly at the understanding and use of Paul in medieval Europe. It focuses not only on the interpretation of the Apostle by patristic and medieval exegetes, but also on the use of his teachings by church reformers, canon lawyers, and spiritual teachers, and his portrayal in art and vernacular literature and culture. By bringing together both exegetical studies of Pauline interpretation with explorations of newer themes, this book provides a more complete view of the medieval Paul than has previously been available. Contributors include Csaba Nemeth, Ian Levy, Thomas Scheck, Joshua Papsdorf, Valerie Heuchan, Ann collins, Lisa Fagin Davis, James Morey, Ken Grant, Colt Anderson, Franklin Harkins, Steven Cartwright, and Aaron Canty.

Oxford Studies in Medieval Philosophy showcases the best scholarly research in this flourishing field. The series covers all aspects of medieval philosophy, including the Latin, Arabic, and Hebrew traditions, and runs from the end of antiquity into the Renaissance. It publishes new work by leading scholars in the field, and combines historical scholarship with philosophical acuteness. The papers will address a wide range of topics, from political philosophy to ethics, and logic to metaphysics. OSMP is an essential resource for anyone working in the area.