Gottschalk and a Medieval Predestination Controversy   Book Review: Gottschalk and a Medieval Predestination Controversy: Texts Translated from the Latin. Edited and Translated by Victor Genke and Francis X. Gumerlock. Medieval Philosophical Texts in Translation 47. Milwaukee: Marquette University Press, 2010. Pp. 247. ISBN: 9780874622539.   The publication of Gottschalk and a Medieval Predestination Controversy: Texts Translated from the Latin, edited and translated by Victor Genke and Francis X. Gumerlock, represents a landmark contribution to the study of medieval theology, particularly the contentious debates surrounding predestination in the Carolingian era. This meticulously crafted volume, published as part of the esteemed Medieval Philosophical Texts in Translation series by Marquette University Press, offers the first comprehensive English translation of the key theological writings of Gottschalk of Orbais (c. 808–868), alongside responses from his contemporaries. The work not only illuminates a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in the history of Christian doctrine but also provides an invaluable resource for scholars of medieval intellectual history, theology, and the legacy of Augustinian thought. This review will evaluate the volume’s scholarly significance, its editorial and translational rigor, and its broader contributions to the field.   Scholarly Significance   Gottschalk of Orbais, a Saxon monk and theologian, is a figure whose influence on the theology of predestination has long been overshadowed by later reformers such as John Calvin. Yet, as Genke and Gumerlock persuasively demonstrate, Gottschalk’s advocacy for a doctrine of double predestination—wherein God sovereignly ordains some to salvation and others to damnation—anticipates key elements of later Reformed theology while remaining firmly rooted in his interpretation of Augustine of Hippo. The ninth-century Carolingian Renaissance, a period marked by theological and cultural renewal, provided the backdrop for Gottschalk’s controversial teachings, which sparked heated debates and led to his condemnation as a heretic at the Synods of Mainz (848) and Quierzy (849). The significance of this volume lies in its ability to bring Gottschalk’s voice, previously accessible primarily through Latin texts or the writings of his detractors, to an English-speaking audience for the first time.   The book’s introduction, authored by Victor Genke, is a masterful synthesis of historical and theological context. Spanning 63 pages, it provides a detailed biography of Gottschalk, tracing his life from his early years at the monastery of Fulda to his travels across Europe and eventual imprisonment at Hautvillers. Genke deftly situates Gottschalk within the broader intellectual currents of the Carolingian era, highlighting the resurgence of Augustinian theology and the tensions it provoked among theologians wary of its implications for free will and pastoral care. The introduction also engages with the historiographical challenges of studying Gottschalk, acknowledging the biases of his opponents, such as Hincmar of Reims, while critically assessing the monk’s own writings. This nuanced approach ensures that readers approach the primary texts with a clear understanding of the stakes involved in the predestination controversy.   Editorial and Translational Rigor   The core of the volume consists of English translations of Gottschalk’s theological writings, including his Reply to Rabanus Maurus, Confession of Faith at Mainz, Tome to Gislemar, Shorter Confession, Longer Confession, Answers to Various Questions, On Predestination, On Different Ways of Speaking About Redemption, and Another Treatise on Predestination. These texts are complemented by selected writings from Gottschalk’s contemporaries, including three letters by Rabanus Maurus, five by Hincmar of Reims, and works by Amolo and Florus of Lyons. The inclusion of these oppositional texts is a particular strength, as it allows readers to appreciate the dialogical nature of the controversy and the diversity of theological perspectives in the ninth century.   The translations, a collaborative effort by Genke and Gumerlock, are exemplary in their fidelity to the original Latin and their readability in English. The translators have navigated the complexities of Gottschalk’s dense, scripturally saturated prose with remarkable skill, preserving the theological precision and rhetorical flourishes of the original texts. For example, Gottschalk’s insistence on the simultaneity of divine foreknowledge and foreordination—a key aspect of his doctrine—is rendered with clarity, allowing readers to grasp the subtlety of his argument (e.g., “the omnipotent and immutable God has gratuitously foreknown and predestined the holy angels and elect human beings to eternal life, and … he equally predestined the devil himself … to rightly eternal death” [p. 54]). The translators’ decision to include extensive footnotes, drawing on the editorial work of Cyrille Lambot and others, further enhances the volume’s scholarly value. These notes clarify textual variants, provide references to scriptural and patristic sources, and address interpretive challenges, such as the debated reading of osculum versus oculum in Gottschalk’s citation of Augustine (p. 95).   One minor critique, noted by some reviewers, is the occasional repetition of uncorroborated anecdotes about Gottschalk’s life, derived from his adversaries, without sufficient critical commentary. While this does not detract significantly from the volume’s overall quality, greater skepticism toward such sources could have strengthened the introduction’s historical analysis. Additionally, the translators’ reliance on older editions, such as the Patrologia Latina, for some citations could have been supplemented with references to more recent Corpus Christianorum editions. However, these are minor quibbles in light of the volume’s overall rigor and accessibility.   Contributions to the Field   The publication of Gottschalk and a Medieval Predestination Controversy fills a critical gap in the study of medieval theology. Prior to this volume, much of what was known about Gottschalk came from the polemical writings of his opponents or from limited access to his Latin texts, edited by Cyrille Lambot in 1945. By providing English translations of Gottschalk’s complete theological corpus, Genke and Gumerlock have made his thought accessible to a broader audience, including scholars and students who may lack proficiency in Latin. This accessibility is particularly valuable for those studying the history of predestination, as Gottschalk’s doctrine of double predestination, limited atonement, and the sovereignty of divine grace prefigures the theological debates of the Protestant Reformation.   The volume also contributes to ongoing discussions about the reception of Augustine in the medieval period. Gottschalk’s reliance on the later, more deterministic writings of Augustine, as opposed to the more balanced conclusions of the Council of Orange (529), underscores the complexity of Augustinianism in the Carolingian era. The translated texts reveal Gottschalk’s extensive use of scripture and patristic sources, particularly Augustine and Fulgentius of Ruspe, to argue for a theology that emphasizes God’s omnipotence over human free will. By including responses from figures like Hincmar and Rabanus Maurus, who advocated a more moderate view of grace and free will, the volume highlights the diversity of theological positions within the Carolingian church and invites further research into the interplay of doctrine and ecclesiastical politics.   Moreover, the book’s relevance extends beyond theology to the study of Carolingian culture and intellectual history. Gottschalk’s condemnation and imprisonment reflect the broader tensions between individual theological innovation and institutional authority in the ninth century. The volume’s introduction speculates intriguingly on Gottschalk’s possible influence in Croatia, where he may have been associated with a church in Nin, suggesting avenues for future research into the geographical scope of his impact. This interdisciplinary appeal makes the book an essential resource for historians, theologians, and medievalists alike.   Broader Impact and Recommendations   Gottschalk and a Medieval Predestination Controversy is an indispensable resource for scholars and students of medieval theology, offering a window into a pivotal moment in the history of Christian doctrine. Its clear translations, comprehensive introduction, and inclusion of oppositional texts make it an ideal text for graduate seminars on medieval intellectual history, the history of theology, or the Carolingian Renaissance. The volume also holds value for those interested in the historical development of predestination, as it bridges the gap between Augustine and the Reformation, positioning Gottschalk as a “German Calvin” avant la lettre.   The book’s publication has already sparked renewed interest in Gottschalk, as evidenced by its positive reception in journals such as Augustinian Studies and The Medieval Review. Future research could build on this foundation by exploring Gottschalk’s influence on later medieval theologians, such as Thomas Bradwardine, or by examining the codicological evidence for the transmission of his texts. Additionally, the volume’s emphasis on Gottschalk’s scriptural exegesis invites further study of his hermeneutical methods and their relationship to Carolingian biblical scholarship.   In conclusion, Victor Genke and Francis X. Gumerlock have produced a work of exceptional scholarly merit that not only resurrects the voice of a misunderstood medieval theologian but also enriches our understanding of the complex interplay of doctrine, authority, and intellectual culture in the Carolingian era. Gottschalk and a Medieval Predestination Controversy is a triumph of translation and scholarship, deserving of a wide readership among those committed to the study of Christian theology and medieval history. It stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of Gottschalk’s thought and the vibrancy of ninth-century theological discourse.   Citation: Genke, Victor, and Francis X. Gumerlock, eds. and trans. Gottschalk and a Medieval Predestination Controversy: Texts Translated from the Latin. Milwaukee: Marquette University Press, 2010.   Contact Francis X. Gumerlock at for information on Books and Articles on the Theology of Grace and Eschatology at https://francisgumerlock.com/ Dr. Gumerlock is an expert in early Church eschatology and historical theology.   The above article was Groked under the direction of Jack Kettler and perfected using Grammarly AI.   “Study to show thyself approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15).   Mr. Kettler, an author who has published works in the Chalcedon Report and Contra Mundum, is an active member of the RPCNA in Westminster, CO, and has written 18 books defending the Reformed Faith available on Amazon.