Introduction
This chapter contextualizes the central question of this book from three perspectives. The first perspective is the anti-Gnostic Alexandrinian tradition, and its discourse on the pedagogical function of divine judgement. The book addresses the question of how Augustine’s developing thought on grace and judgement relates to this tradition. The second context in which the research is situated is the context of philosophical psychagogy. Augustine learned about this psychagogical tradition via Cicero and the Neoplatonists. How does he relate to this tradition when he speaks about the administration of divine and human discipline? A third context is that of Augustine research itself. First, the chapter briefly describes the discussion concerning the development of Augustine’s doctrine of grace. Second, it sketches the conversation on the historical and theological roots of Augustine’s justification of state-sponsored coercion against the Donatists.