Lecture 20: The Distinctive Issues of the Latin West
• The theological issue that locked Pelagius and Augustine in debate
over many years concerned the absolute need for God’s grace in
every circumstance and for any good deed. The sharpness and
strength of Augustine’s polemic on this point had a profound—
and perhaps not entirely positive—effect on all later theology in
the West.Doctors of the Church
• Augustine was one of three leaders of Latin Christianity in the 4th
and 5th centuries who were later designated as “doctors” (that is,
teachers) of the church. Each contributed in an important way to the
eventual shape of Christianity in the West.• Ambrose of Milan (337/40–397) came from a noble family. He
was trained in rhetoric and was governor of the region. While
still a catechumen—that is, not yet a baptized Christian but only
a seeker—he was elected by the clergy and people of Milan to be
their ecclesiastical leader. He was baptized and ordained a priest
and bishop in 374.
o Adopting an ascetic lifestyle, Ambrose gave away all his
goods to the poor and enjoyed great popular favor. He was a
mentor for the young Augustine, playing a pivotal role in his
conversion from Manichaeism to Christianity. As a bishop,
Ambrose was a fierce defender of Trinitarian orthodoxy.o Ambrose wore power comfortably and was adept in the play
of politics. When the emperor Theodosius I slaughtered 7,000
people in retaliation for a revolt in Thessalonica, Ambrose stood
up to him and demanded of the emperor a public repentance.• The second critical figure for the shaping of Christianity in the
West was Jerome (347–419/20). He was born into a Christian
family, studied classical Latin language and literature in Rome, was
baptized at 20, then dedicated himself to the monastic life.
o Jerome lived as a hermit for a time in Syria, where his gift
for language led to his learning both Greek and Hebrew, the
original biblical languages.