As for eternal security or assurance/certainty one is elect - I don't think Augustine developed that part of his view on Perseverance. He obviously believed in predestination and perseverance but I don't know if he ever took a firm stance on assurance or the believer's personal knowledge of eternal security. Obviously the reformers developed that part of it.

Assurance is an area I struggle with also. Personally, I don't have it. And I belong to a church that does not help foster it becasue they fear that they will promote premature conversions. We all continue to sin, and become blinded and deluded by it - in my estimation our indwelling sin and the assaults of the devil make it difficult for the true believer to have total assurance without doubts and fears creeping in from time to time.

So I, like Augustine, believe in Perseverance of the elect, but I would say both of us struggle with the idea that the believer will ever feel eternally secure while walking the earth - I hope I will eventually experience such awareness (assurance) and if I don't that I will not need to in order to still be saved.

Last edited by AJC; Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:45 AM.
The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine