Calvinism

It is true that Augustine, in his defense against Pelaganism, wrote very strongly in favor of grace. Many Calvinists interpret this to mean that his views support Calvinism. But in contrast to the views of Calvinism, Augustine also wrote that man has free will and that we must cooperate with God's grace.

As far, then, as lay in our power, we have used our influence with them, as both your brethren and our own, with a view to their persevering in the soundness of the catholic faith, Which neither denies free will whether for an evil or a good life. . . .

Letter to Valentinus, No. 215, Para. 4, 426 A.D.

The fact that they can be influenced to persevere in their faith demonstrates that Augustine believed that man has free will. He also states this to be the view of the Catholic Church. In Calvinism there is no question whether or not believers will persevere. In addition, Augustine agrees with the Catholic view that God's grace is necessary for all aspects of salvation.

"No man can come to me, except the Father who hath sent me draw him"! For He does not say, "except He lead him," so that we can thus in any way understand that his will precedes. For who is "drawn," if he was already willing? And yet no man comes unless he is willing. Therefore he is drawn in wondrous ways to will, by Him who knows how to work within the very hearts of men. Not that men who are unwilling should believe, which cannot be, but that they should be made willing from being unwilling.

A Treatise Against Two Letters of the Pelagians, Chap. 37.

Although salvation originates with God's grace, man uses free will to cooperate with God.

Restrains every one of us in our investigations so as that we may not so defend grace as to seem to take away free will, or, on the other hand, so assert free will as to be judged ungrateful to the grace of God, in our arrogant impiety.

On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants, Book 2, Chap. 28

Calvinism denies man's free will.

But since there are some persons who so defend God's grace as to deny man's free will, or who suppose that free will is denied when grace is defended.

A Treatise on Grace and Free Will, Chap. 1

Augustine is writing this book to address those who deny man's free will.

Now He has revealed to us, through His Holy Scriptures, that there is in a man a free choice of will.

A Treatise on Grace and Free Will, Chap. 2

Augustine supports his view of man's free will using the scriptures. There are many quotes about free will in this book. Search for the phrase "free will" to find them.

"They could not believe," because that Isaiah the prophet foretold it; and the prophet foretold it because God foreknew that such would be the case. But if I am asked why they could not, I reply at once, because they would not; for certainly their depraved will was foreseen by God, and foretold through the prophet by Him from whom nothing that is future can be hid. But the prophet, sayest thou, assigns another cause than that of their will. What cause does the prophet assign? That "God hath given them the spirit of remorse, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; and hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart." This also, I reply, their will deserved. For God thus blinds and hardens, simply by letting alone and withdrawing His aid: and God can do this by a judgment that is hidden, although not by one that is unrighteous.

On the Gospel of St. John, Tr. 53, Para. 6

Augustine taught that God responds to our faith. God does not desire that anyone should be blind to the truth but they must be open to God to receive His grace.

If, however, being already regenerate and justified, he relapses of his own will into an evil life, assuredly he cannot say, "I have not received," because of his own free choice to evil he has lost the grace of God, that he had received.

On Rebuke and Grace, Chap. 9

It is a result of man's free will choice to do evil that he loses God's grace.