15. THE QUESTION WAS….What is contemplated in St. Augustine’s book “On the Gift of Perseverance”?

A.              The fact that some people lose their salvation

B.              The fact that some people become angels

 

Answer….A…The fact that some people lose their salvation

St. Augustine’s book “On the Gift of Perseverance” reflects on the fact that some people who receive saving grace later lose this grace, thus losing their salvation, but that other people persevere in their saving grace until their death, and go to heaven.

Here is an excerpt from St. Augustine’s book: "Let the inquirer still go on, and say, 'Why is it that to some who have in good faith worshipped Him He has not given to persevere to the end?' Why except because he does not speak falsely who says, 'They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, doubtless they would have continued with us.' Are there, then, two natures of men?             By no means. If there were two natures there would not be any grace, for there would be given a gratuitous deliverance to none if it were paid as a debt to nature. But it seems to men that all who appear good believers ought to receive perseverance to the end. But God has judged it to be better to mingle some who would not persevere with a certain number of His saints, so that those for whom security from temptation in this life is not desirable may not be secure." Augustine, On the Gift of Perseverance,, 19 (A.D. 429).

www.scripturecatholic.com/salvation.html#salvation-II  (Guarantee of Salvation?)

www.catholic.org/featured/sheen.php?ID=1225 (St. Augustine’s conversion)

www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p3s1c1a8.htm (SIN: Catechism of the Catholic Church)

www.catholic.com/library/Mortal_Sin.asp (Mortal Sin)

www.cin.org/users/james/files/tulip.htm (Tiptoe Through the TULIP)

www.newadvent.org/cathen/11711a.htm (Final Perseverance: The Catholic Encyclopedia)

Biblical teaching on the possibility of losing one’s salvation or being cut off, also see Romans 11:22, Gal 5:4, 1 Cor 9:27, Heb 6:4-6, Heb 10:26-27, Mt 24:13, 1 Cor 10:11-12, 2 Tim 2:11-13, Mt 7:18, Mt 22:14, Luke 12:42-46, Luke 15:11-32, Rev 22:19, Rev. 3:11, Rom 11:20-22, Rom. 1:28; Titus 1:16; 2 Tim. 3:8; 2 Cor. 13:5-7, 1 John 5:16-17, plus Ezekiel 18:24 (Old Testament)

 

 

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