Anthony DuPont – författare

The Oxford Handbook of the Pelagian Controversy delves into the heart of one of Christianity's earliest and most profound theological disputes. The Pelagian controversy, characterized by fierce debates on topics such as original sin, grace, and predestination, was a pivotal moment in the development of Christian doctrine during the early fifth century, unfolding across continents and involving influential figures like Augustine of Hippo, Pelagius, Caelestius, and Julian of Aeclanum.Beyond a mere theological and ecclesiastical debate, Pelagianism was an historical event which had far-reaching consequences, even influencing imperial decisions, and shaping later evolutions in the West -- theologically, philosophically, but also politically and historically. While shedding light on the historical intricacies of the Pelagian controversy, this Handbook also explores its enduring legacy. The discussions surrounding human autonomy, sexuality, and human limitations continue to shape contemporary theological and ethical discussions. With a strong emphasis on methodological precision, this comprehensive volume offers a balanced view of the Pelagian controversy, avoiding oversimplification, highlighting the importance of lost sources and the contributions of lesser-known figures, and uncovering the reception history of the controversy through the centuries. This Handbook is an indispensable resource for scholars and students interested in the history of the West and of Christianity, particularly concerning the profound philosophical and theological questions that continue to influence our modern culture.

This handbook explores the formation of Christianity in Northern Africa from the second century CE until the present. It focuses on the reception of Scripture in the life of the Church, the processes of decision making, the theological and philosophical reflections of the Church Fathers in various cultural contexts, and schismatic or heretical movements. Volume one covers the first four centuries up until the time of Augustine.

This second volume delves into the intricate dynamics that surrounded the use of Scripture by North　African Christians from the late-fourth to the mid-seventh century CE. It focuses on the multivalent ways in which Scripture was incorporated into the fabric of ecclesial existence and theological reflection, as well as on Scripture’s role in informing and supporting these Christians’ decision-making processes. This volume also highlights　the　intricate theological and philosophical deliberations that were carried out between and among influential North African Christian leaders and scholars—in diverse cultural and geopolitical　settings—while paying attention to the complex manner in which these Scripture-laden discourses intersected the wide variety of religious　opinions and ecclesiastical and/or theological movements that so clearly marked this region in this era.

During the last decades, the doctrine of grace of Augustine of Hippo (354-430) has been studied in depth. The occurrence of grace in Augustine’s ca. 580 sermones ad populum has not yet been systematically analysed. This monograph studies the presence of grace in sermones preached during the period of the Pelagian controversy – a debate precisely on the relation between divine grace and human freedom. Does Augustine deal with grace differently in these sermones and his anti-pelagian tractates? First, the gratia content of the sermones does not differ from that of the systematic treatises. Second, the treatment of this topic differs on occasion, a difference determined by the biblical, liturgical, rhetorical and contextual framework of the sermones. This book explores the anthropological-ethical perspective of grace in Augustine, which results in a correction of the image of an Augustine overemphasising God and neglecting man, and in a plea to see continuity in his thinking on grace.

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) became known as the ‘doctor of grace’. He developed his theory of divine grace mainly in his systematic treatises directed against the Pelagians (ca. 411-430). Did he however also preach about this complex, and at first sight ‘demoralizing’, issue in his sermons to the people? In his previous book (BSCH 59), Anthony Dupont studied the profile of the treatment of gratia in the anti-Pelagian sermones ad populum. In a Preacher of Grace Dupont offers an account of the presence of the theme of grace in Augustine’s sermones not situated in the Pelagian controversy. He first studies sermons preached on important liturgical feasts, which belong to the (non-polemical) pastoral preaching genre. They are distributed throughout the 40 years of Augustine’s preaching activity, and are Christological in content and moralising in intention. Secondly, he examines sermons situated in the Donatist controversy, preceding the anti-Pelagian sermons chronologically and differing from them in terms of content. This research provides a global picture of the presence and treatment of gratia in Augustine’s sermones and clarifies the interaction between context, audience and preaching genre on the one hand, and the theme of grace as a whole on the other. It also contributes to the debate on (dis)continuity in Augustine’s thought on grace.