Pelagianism
There was a theological debate in the fifth century A.D. between Augustine and Pelagius, an English monk living in Rome, regarding the effects of the Fall, original sin, and saving grace. Pelagius reacted against Augustine’s emphasis on the absolute necessity of sovereign grace, fearing that this doctrine might cause a passive attitude toward sin. The monk is known for teaching that man, even after the Fall, was capable in his own strength, without the supernatural grace of God, to obey God and avoid sin. He speaks of God's "grace," but only in the sense that He gives man free will, not in the sense of an internal work of inclining his will toward good. His argument is that if God commands obedience, man must be able to do it. [1]
I did indeed say that a man can be without sin and keep the commandments of God, if he wishes, for this ability has been given to him by God. [2]
*********************[1] Berkhof, Louis, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996), 233. Also, R. Scott Clark, "Pelagianism" <http://americanphilosophy.net/pelagianheresy.htm>[2] Letter “To Demetrias”, quoted by Deacon Geoffrey Ó Riada in "Pelagius: To Demetrias" (article written to defend Pelagius): <http://www.libraryoftheology.com/writings/pelagianism/PelagiusToDemetrias.pdf>*********************QUESTION:What teaching is Pelagius known for, regarding the effects of the Fall on man?
After the Fall, man is totally incapable of obeying God and avoiding sin, by his own strength, without the supernatural grace of God.
After the Fall, all people inherit a totally corrupt nature, but they are not held guilty for the sin of Adam and Eve.
After the Fall, man still has the ability to obey God and avoid sin, in his own strength, even without the supernatural grace of God.
