Augustine of Hippo on Atonement

Godliness cannot be conferred but must be acquired.

It is reasonable to believe, in the absence of direct revelation by which alone absolute knowledge of the matter could be acquired, that, in accordance with God’s plan of eternal progression, advancement from grade to grade within any kingdom, and from kingdom to kingdom, will be provided for.

These are the mysteries of the Kingdom of God upon the earth, to know how to purify and sanctify our affections, the earth upon which we stand, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the houses in which we dwell and the cities which we build, that when strangers come into our country they may feel a hallowed influence and acknowledge a power to which they are strangers.

But he himself that justifies also deifies, for by justifying he makes sons of God. “For he has given them power to become the sons of God.” If then we have been made sons of God, we have also been made gods.