Arnobius Iunior, Praedestinatus

For the first time in English, the Praedestinatus represents a moment in the fifteen-century old theological conversation in Latin Christianity about the topics of grace, predestination and free will. Written as a response to Augustine’s growing theological influence, this book should not merely be regarded as a work of apologetics, despite the author’s intention, but seen as breaking controversial new ground because of his claim that a small circle of heretics was acting as a ‘fifth column’ within the Church, undermining orthodox beliefs concerning God, his providence and all-inclusive love.

After a three hundred year hiatus since Jacques Sirmond’s 1643 editio princeps, interest in the Praedestinatus revived in the twentieth century thanks to German and French scholars who studied the book’s theological trajectory and claims. Its critical edition was eventually accomplished in 2000 by Italian scholar Franco Gori. The present translation is based on Gori’s edition.