Re-post from 04-23-2011

The first Church Father on the Must read list is Augustine of Hippo and his work titled: "On the Predestination of the Saints" @428 AD

(here is a link if you want the whole thing-)http://www.covenanter.org/Predestination/augustin_predestination.htmlHere is just a sample of Chapter headings -  EVEN THE BEGINNING OF FAITH IS OF GOD'S GIFTIT IS GOD'S GRACE WHICH SPECIALLY DISTINGUISHES ONE MAN FROM ANOTHER  THAT SOME MEN ARE ELECTED IS OF GOD'S MERCY   WHY THE APOSTLE SAID THAT WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH AND NOT BY WORKS THE EFFECT OF DIVINE GRACEWHY THE GIFT OF FAITH IS NOT GIVEN TO ALLIT IS TO BE WONDERED AT THAT MEN SHOULD RATHER TRUST TO THEIR OWN WEAKNESS THAN TO GOD'S STRENGTH  GOD'S DEALING DOES NOT DEPEND UPON ANY CONTINGENT MERITS OF MEN THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS INSTANCE OF PREDESTINATION IS CHRIST JESUS  CHRIST PREDESTINATED TO BE THE SON OF GOD THE SPECIAL CALLING OF THE ELECT IS NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE BELIEVED, BUT IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY BELIEVE  WE WERE ELECTED AND PREDESTINATED, NOT BECAUSE WE WERE GOING TO BE HOLY, BUT IN ORDER THAT WE MIGHT BE SO This small treatise alone would have saved me from years wasted in false teaching, under false teachersMy sincerest prayer is that it has the same effect on you. BPH - Sola Deo Gloria (Latin-To God Alone be the Glory)