Faith and good works come from the gracious hand of God

In a judgment on the views of Augustine of Hippo, this synod adopted views representing the consensus of the western church on the question of predestination. It taught that faith and good works originate in grace alone, but that the damned are responsible for their own condemnation. The synod thus adopted what may be called a semi-Augustinian position. It taught that prevenient grace (illuminating grace granted prior to the free decision of the will) is the source of both faith and good works. It did not, however, accept Augustine's views of irresistible grace (grace that cannot be rejected). It confined the concept of predestination to election to salvation, and it did not confirm Augustine's view that grace is irresistible. Pope Boniface II confirmed and added papal authority to the decisions of the Synod of Orange.