On the Cause of God Against Pelagius and On the Power of Causes

Thomas Bradwardine's massive theological treatise emerged from his deep concern that the dominant scholastic theology of his day had drifted toward Pelagianism by overemphasizing human free will and cooperation in salvation. Writing as an Oxford master and later Archbishop of Canterbury, Bradwardine witnessed what he saw as a dangerous erosion of divine sovereignty in the teachings of his contemporaries, particularly those influenced by Duns Scotus and William of Ockham. His work represents the most systematic medieval attempt to reassert Augustinian predestination against what he termed the "new Pelagians."

Bradwardine constructs his argument through rigorous mathematical and logical demonstration, reflecting his background as a mathematician and natural philosopher. He begins by establishing God's absolute sovereignty and foreknowledge, then systematically dismantles arguments for libertarian free will. Using geometric proofs and syllogistic reasoning, he argues that God's eternal decree necessarily determines all events, including human choices and salvation. The treatise methodically addresses objections about divine justice and human responsibility, insisting that God's will is the ultimate cause of all causation. Bradwardine draws heavily on Augustine's anti-Pelagian writings while incorporating Aristotelian logic and contemporary scholastic methods to defend predestination with unprecedented philosophical rigor.

This work profoundly influenced later Augustinian thought and anticipated many themes that would emerge during the Protestant Reformation. Bradwardine's radical emphasis on divine determinism earned him the title "Doctor Profundus" and positioned him as a crucial link between Augustine and the Reformers. His mathematical approach to theology and unflinching defense of predestination made this treatise both influential and controversial throughout the late medieval period.

Who should read this: Scholars of medieval theology, students of predestination debates, and those interested in the mathematical approach to theological questions will find this essential reading. This is not suitable for casual readers or those seeking devotional material, as it requires substantial background in scholastic philosophy and Latin theological terminology.