Pelagianism
Heresies of the Church Thru the Ages [1]
A heretic and his teachings. Pelagius, of whom little is known, began the spread of his false doctrines at Rome, c405 His teachings might be summarized as follows: God did not give Adam immortality, nor did Adam need grace to avoid sin. His sin was personal, and therefore was not transmitted to posterity. Hence, no original sin. As to grace, man does not need this gift, because the will of itself can avoid sin and merit heaven. "Grace" is God's gift of a free will. Pelagius later admitted the existence of a grace independent of the will; but its function was not to begin but only to perfect good works. This grace is merited by man. It is not a gift. Nor is it necessary for salvation but makes the attainment of salvation easier. Saint Augustine refuted these doctrines, and Pelagianism was condemned by the Councils of Carthage and Orange in 418,529. For a more in-depth discusion, see the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Webster's Dictionary [2]
(n.) The doctrines of Pelagius.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [3]
*The Dutch Remonstrants, however and as it seems to us justly, objected to the Calvinistic Confessions that they did Not keep these two questions sufficiently distinct. The guilt, and with it the penalty, of Adam's sin was made to rest upon his posterity, and not his depravity simply. The confusion has arisen from not duly observing that depravity is properly predicable only of the moral affections, while guilt is the result of personal volition alone. Hence, although man's moral nature is wholly depraved, his will is nevertheless free, so long as his affections are not held to exercise a necessarily dominant control over his determinations. For it makes but little difference as to his freedom, whether constraint comes ab extra or ab intra, if in either case it is equally absolute Depravity is inherited, guilt is not. Copyright Statementthese Files Are Public Domain. Bibliography Informationmcclintock, John. Strong, James. Entry For 'Pelagianism'. Cyclopedia Of Biblical, Theological And Ecclesiastical Literature. Https://Www.Studylight.Org/Encyclopedias/Eng/Tce/P/Pelagianism.Html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
