Perhaps by now you’ve read that the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta has had a resolution placed before it to consider the rehabilitation and positive contributions of Pelagius? The pending resolution is a nice opportunity to add to the theological vocabulary section of this blog and we consider who is Pelagius and what did he teach?
Pelagius was a monk from Britain, whose reputation and theology came into prominence sometime after he went to Rome in the late 4th Century A.D.
Pelagius believed that the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin (the Fall) were restricted to themselves only; and thereby denied the belief that original sin was passed on (imputed) to the children of Adam and thus to the human race. For Pelagius, Adam’s sin merely “set a bad example” for his descendants and Jesus “set a good example” for mankind (thus counteracting Adam’s bad example). Pelagianism teaches that human beings are born in a state of innocence with a nature that is as pure as that which Adam was given at his creation.
As a result of his basic assumption, Pelagius taught that man has an unimpaired moral ability to choose that which is spiritually good and possesses the free will, ability, and capacity to do that which is spiritually good. This resulted in a gospel of salvation based on human works. Man could choose to follow the precepts of God and then follow those precepts because he had the power within himself to do so. To read more, click here.
Related article: US Diocese asked to rehabilitate Pelagius
No comments:
Post a Comment