MAURO LUIZ DO NASCIMENTO JÚNIOR

This doctoral project investigates the complex relationship between predestination and free will in the late works of Augustine of Hippo, focusing on the role of the concept of "gift" as a mediator. Augustine seeks to reconcile divine predestination and human freedom, emphasizing the influence of divine grace. The works On the Predestination of the Saints and On the Gift of Perseverance are the primary points of analysis, as Augustine explores the interconnection between predestination and human will in these texts. Divine grace, represented by the concept of caritas (Christian love), acts as a bridge between these ideas, enabling individuals to freely choose the good. This research aims to demonstrate that divine grace empowers human will and strengthens the choice of the good while preserving individual freedom. The project also explores perseverance as a universal gift tied to grace, sustaining individuals on their path to the end. In summary, this doctoral project seeks to elucidate how Augustine employs the concept of "gift" to reconcile predestination and free will, highlighting the influence of divine grace as the link between these seemingly contradictory elements.