Although Pelagianism, a view that denies original sin and promotes the idea that salvation can be earned, went against Augustine’s views of grace through Christ, it did encourage Augustine to focus his thinking on the doctrine of predestination. In his early writings, Augustine taught predestination based upon God’s foreknowledge. The idea was that God merely chose those human beings whom He foreknew would freely choose to believe in Him.
However, the mature Augustine promoted predestination based upon God’s autonomous and inscrutable choice. This position holds that God chooses to extend His saving grace to some (the elect), but not to all (bypassing the reprobate).1 Thus, God predestines some to eternal life via irresistible though not coercive grace, but leaves others in their sin to be justly condemned through their own choice and deeds.
Augustine’s great and terrible doctrine of so-called “double predestination” was rejected by many in his time as it is by some today. However, Augustine believed that while God’s act of election may be inequitable, it is not unfair. Augustine reasoned that sinners have no claim whatsoever to the grace of God. The choice as to whom God extends His grace is totally within His sovereign discretion and prerogative. Most importantly, Augustine believed his thinking on the subject was simply reflecting the clear teaching of Scripture, especially the writings of the Apostle Paul (Romans 8–9; Ephesians 1).
Augustine’s strong predestinarian views influenced a number of Roman Catholic thinkers in history, but has been, for the most part, ignored by their modern counterparts. Augustine’s basic perspectives on this topic were embraced largely by such Protestant Reformers as Martin Luther and John Calvin, and are still reflected today in the historic confessional statements of the Reformed theological tradition.
Endnotes:
1. Allan D. Fitzgerald, ed., Augustine through the Ages (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999), s.v. “Predestination.”
Reflections 
Yes, everyone in my Bible study that chose to make a comment are Pelagian believers. I quoted the red words of Jesus Christ Himself from John 6: 44, I did not quote 45, 65 & Isaiah 30: 21. (While the leader of the group & the Calvinistic church leaders were not there). It did to no good. They are commented Pelagianists
George:
Wow. I wonder how many people that attend evangelical churches hold Pelagian-like beliefs.
Ken Samples
Actually i have found evangelicals to be liberalized by the theologians josephus Arminium, karl barth and Paul Tillich on the protestant side and thomas aqinus on the catholic side..this liberaliztion of the sacred, living Word of God has rendered the scripture dead, no power of God to ignite revival and change….. therefore the church plays around with positive thinking and prosperity preachers and the leaders get rich but the church is inpoverished.
John:
I invite you to read my book Classic Christian Thinkers.
Ken Samples