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'Pelagianism' is a theological theory named after Pelagius. It is the belief that original sin did not taint human nature (which, being created from God, was divine), and that mortal will is still capable of choosing good or evil without Divine aid. Thus, Adam's sin was "to set a bad example" for his progeny, but his actions did not have the other consequences imputed to Original Sin. Pelagianism views the role of Jesus as "setting a good example" for the rest of humanity (thus counteracting Adam's bad example). In short, humanity has full control, and thus full responsibility, for its own salvation ''in addition to'' full responsibility for every sin (the latter insisted upon by both proponents and opponents of Pelagianism). According to Pelagian doctrine, since humanity is no longer in need of any of God's graces beyond the creation of will,^[1] Jesus' sacrifice is devoid of its redemptive quality.

Contents

History

Pelagius

See also

Writings By Pelagius

External links

Notes

History

Pelagianism was opposed by Augustine of Hippo, who taught that a person's salvation ultimately comes through the grace of God but that a person must also perform freely chosen good works. Augustine also believed in a form of predestination, but not to the point that it violated or negated man's free will. Crucially, he taught that no person could save himself by his works, and that salvation was a free gift of God's grace. This led to Pelagianism's condemnation as a heresy at several local synods, including the ''Council of Diospolis''^[2]. It was condemned in 416 and 418 at the Councils of Carthage.^[3] These condemnations were summarily ratified at the Council of Ephesus in 431, although it was not considered a major act of that council. His strict moral teaching were influential in southern Italy and Sicily, where Pelagianism was openly preached until the death of his follower Julian of Eclanum in 455.^[4] Pelagianism as a structured heretical movement ceased to exist after the 6th century but its essential ideas continued to cause dispute.^[5]
Thomas Bradwardine in ''De causa Dei contra Pelagium et de virtute causarum'' denounced Pelagians in the 14th century and Gabriel Biel did the same in the 15th century.^[3]

Pelagius

Main articles: Pelagius

Little or nothing is known about the life of Pelagius. Although he is frequently referred to as a monk, it is by no means certain that he was one. Augustine says that he lived in Rome "for a very long time," and that he was originally from the British Isles. (St. Jerome suggests he was Scottish or perhaps from Ireland.) He was certainly well known in the Roman province, both for the harsh asceticism of his public life, as well as the power and persuasiveness of his speech. Until his more radical ideas saw daylight, even such pillars of the Church as Augustine referred to him as “saintly.”
Pelagius taught that the human will, tempered in good deeds and rigorous asceticism, was sufficient to live a sinless life. He told his followers that right action on the part of human beings was all that was necessary for salvation. To him, the grace of God was only an added advantage; helpful, but in no way essential. Pelagius disbelieved in original sin, but said that Adam had condemned humankind through bad example, and that Christ’s good example offered humanity a path to salvation, not through sacrifice, but through instruction of the will. Jerome emerged as one of the chief critics of Pelagianism, because, according to Jerome, Pelagius' view essentially denied the work of the Messiah; he personally preferring 'teacher' or 'master' to any epithet implying divine power.

See also

★ Semipelagianism

★ Pelagius

★ Julian of Eclanum

★ Charles Finney

★ Erasmus

★ The Fall of Man

★ Original Sin

★ Meister Eckhart

★ Matthew Fox

★ Dave Hunt

Writings By Pelagius

★ Letters of Pelagius: To A Presbyter, Augustine of Hippo, and Pope Innocent I

★ On Nature

★ Defense Of The Freedom Of The Will

★ Expositions on Paul’s Epistle

★ Epistle to Demetrias

★ Confession of Faith

★ Chapters

★ Written Anathema

External links

★ Canons From The Council Of Carthage Against Pelagianism, May 1, 418

★ CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Pelagius and Pelagianism

★ Pelagians, Donatists, Monks, Anabaptists and other Perfectionists - a sympathetic look at Pelagianism and similar 'perfectionist' movements

★ Pelagius Library: Online site dedicated to the study of Pelagius

★ Pelagianism: The Religion of Natural Man - a critical look at Pelagianism

Notes

1. A History of Philosophy by Carmin Mascia, St. Anthony Guild Press 1980 p.170
2.
★ Transcript From The Council of Diospolis (Lydda) Against Pelagius, 415AD
3. Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion by William L Reese, Humanities Press 1980 p.421
4. controverscial.com Unitarian Universalism
5. Pelagianism The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition; 2006 . (Accessed May. 10, 2006.)
6. Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion by William L Reese, Humanities Press 1980 p.421