Definition

1. Noun:
   • A Christian theological doctrine: Pelagianism is the theological teaching associated with the monk Pelagius (c. 354–418 AD). It emphasizes human free will and moral responsibility, denying the concept of original sin inherited from Adam. It asserts that human beings are born morally neutral and possess the innate capacity to choose good and achieve righteousness through their own efforts, without the necessity of divine grace for every act.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The bishop wrote a treatise refuting the core tenets of Pelagianism.
  • Historians of theology often contrast Augustine's views on grace with those of Pelagianism.
  • The council condemned Pelagianism as a heresy because it undermined the doctrine of salvation by grace.

Advanced Usage

• "a form of Pelagianism": used to describe modern ideas perceived as similarly overemphasizing human ability and downplaying inherent sinfulness or the need for divine assistance.
  • Some critics accused the self-help movement of promoting a secular form of Pelagianism.

Variants and Related Words

• Pelagian (adj): Pertaining to Pelagius or his doctrines.
  • The Pelagian controversy shaped much of early Western theology.
• Pelagian (noun): A follower of Pelagius or an adherent of Pelagianism.
  • The Augustinians debated the Pelagians at the council.
• Semi-Pelagianism (noun): A moderated, later theological position that sought a middle ground between strict Augustinianism and Pelagianism, acknowledging both grace and free will but still considered erroneous by many orthodox traditions.

Synonyms

• (Doctrinal) Moralism (in a specific theological sense, emphasizing human moral effort).

Antonyms

• Augustinianism: The theological system of Augustine of Hippo, emphasizing original sin, the bondage of the will, and the necessity of prevenient grace for salvation.
• Doctrine of Original Sin: The belief that sinfulness is inherited from Adam, which Pelagianism explicitly denies.

Noun

1. the theological doctrine put forward by Pelagius which denied original sin and affirmed the ability of humans to be righteous; condemned as heresy by the Council of Ephesus in 431