Deifying Adoption as Impetus for Moral Transformation: Augustine's Sermons on the Christological Ethics of Godhood

Though Augustine of Hippo has always held a special place in Protestant thought, this essay draws attention to one often neglected aspect of his theology: his participatory soteriology of deification. Augustine holds that God transforms Christians into gods through our adoption. After situating Augustine's understanding of deification in his broader theological thought world, this essay examines his use of the theme in sermons. Augustine's homiletic employment of deification provides a touchstone for reflection on post-conversion soteriology and ethical exhortation.