Protestants often consider the Roman Catholic church to have significantly distorted the gospel. Were there Christians prior to the Reformation who had essentially the same understanding of the doctrines of salvation (particularly sola gratia) as the later Reformers did? I'm interested in people between Augustine (approx. 400 AD) and Luther (1517 AD).
Another theologian who anticipated some of the important thoughts of the Reformation, including sola gratia, was Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), who was frequently cited by both Luther and Calvin.
Yes. They were called heretics. Augustine probably would not have even needed to write about it if it weren't for Pelagius. You can read all about early views like the ransom theory, Abelard's idealistic view on moral influence, Anselm's notion of satisfaction of God's honor in the 11th century and not to mention earlier views seen as heretical like Origen's recapitulation theory which said that demons and the Satan will be be fully justified in the end at Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atonement_in_Christianity I could type it all here but to copy would be plagiarising and why do all work for you. You want to learn, read. Best book on early views of salvation is Gustaf Aulen Christus Victor which is cheap on amazon but also can be in your library if your country has them http://www.amazon.com/Christus-Victor-Historical-Study-Atonement/dp/1592443303