Grace and heteronomy in the relational anthropology of Augustine of Hippo

Abstract

This article will discuss Augustine of Hippo’s (354-430) relational horizon with a focus on grace and heteronomy in Confessions and in the Pelagian controversy. Grace and heteronomy are inserted biographically in Confessions, through an autobiographical narrative as a testimony of grace. Subsequently, grace and heteronomy would be endorsed in the polemic against the Pelagians, in which Augustine reaffirms his doctrine of original sin and the solidarity of the race in Adam, and the human need for the grace of Christ. Augustine’s anthropological perspective questions a self-centered understanding of human autonomy and emphasizes its dependence upon a relational horizon. A synthesis will be expressed through three axes: (i) heteronomy as an expression of a dramatic anthropology of search and encounter (ii) authentic autonomy as built upon the foundation of heteronomy, and therefore not opposed to human responsiveness (iii) heteronomy does not deny uniqueness or singularity, but recognizes it within a responsive relational horizon.