Ad Monimum
Fulgentius of Ruspe (468–533)
First published 1861
Ad Monimum is a theological work by Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe (c. 462–527), written in response to questions posed by a certain Monimus concerning difficult points of Christian doctrine. Composed in three books, the treatise addresses the relation between divine predestination and human sin, the meaning of the scriptural expression concerning the “double-edged sword,” and the proper interpretation of several passages involving the Trinity and the divine nature. The work is particularly important for understanding the Augustinian theological tradition in the early sixth-century Latin West. Fulgentius carefully distinguishes God’s predestination of the good from human responsibility for evil, while defending divine justice, grace, and Trinitarian orthodoxy. Ad Monimum thus provides a concise but substantial example of his method: close engagement with Scripture, precise theological distinctions, and a strong dependence on the thought of Saint Augustine.
Prologus
Liber I: De Duplice Praedestinatione Dei, Una Bonorum Ad Gloriam, Altera Malorum Ad Poenam
Caput I: Deus ut eum quaeramus inspirat et a quaerentibus invenitur
Caput II: De eodem argumento
Caput III: Prima quaestio de praedestinatione. Verba Monimi de gemina praedestinatione
Caput IV: Invocatio auctoris modesta et theologica
Ego quidem, carissime, quantum Domino gratuitam gratiam largiente modulum possum propriae parvitatis agnoscere, sub illo uno Domino atque Magistro, in eius schola positus, non fratrum meorum vocari magister aut doctor affecto, quorum in veritate condiscipulus semper esse desidero. Quapropter hoc ab illo vero Domino ac Magistro nostro postulare non desino, ut ea me, sive per eloquia Scripturarum suarum, seu per sermocinationem fratrum condiscipulorumque meorum, sive etiam per inspirationis suae internam suavioremque doctrinam (ubi sine sonis sermonum et sine elementis litterarum eo dulcius quo secretius veritas loquitur) ea me docere dignetur, quae sic proponam, sic asseram, ut in propositionibus atque assertionibus meis, veritati (quae nec fallit, nec fallitur) semper inhaeream, semper obediens consentiensque reperiar. Quoniam ut veritati obedire atque consentire valeam, ipsa veritas illuminat, ipsa adiuvat, ipsa confirmat, ab ipsa postulo doceri multo plura quae nescio, a qua accepi pauca quae scio. Ipsam rogo, ut, praeveniente ac subsequente misericordia, quaecunque salubriter scienda nescio doceat me, in his quae vera novi custodiat me, in quibus ut homo fallor corrigat me, in quibus veris titubo confirmet me, et a falsis ac noxiis eripiat me, ut in cogitationibus ac sermonibus meis quod salubriter donat, inveniat, et ea faciat de ore meo procedere, quae sint coram ipsa principaliter grata, et sic fiant fidelibus cunctis accepta.