Pelagianism: The Boogie Man

Pelagianism is the theological doctrine propounded by Pelagius, a British monk , and condemned as heresy by the Council of Ephesus in AD 416. It denied original sin and affirmed the ability of humans to be righteous by the exercise of free will.

Semipelagianism, named of course after Semipelagius , is a 5th century doctrine that accepted the doctrine of original sin but asserted that man’s turning to God of his own free will, not after the provocation of the Holy Ghost, begins the process of spiritual rebirth.

If you believe in one of these doctrines, why be shy? Come out and glory in it. If not, let us know where you differ and we will know not to call you such names.

 

Logical fallacies that allow dismissing Bible texts and opposing views via "vitriol", "name-calling", emotional-argument composed of sweeping accusations and villanizing etc.

If one looks carefully they can find it in thread posts... and even thread titles.

 

Arminians normally argue that God is the one that supernaturally enables free will just as He supernaturally enables growth in faith.

we all knew that ... right?

It is one thing to to "agree" with the Arminian position ... it is another to refuse to state what it is.

 

"Free will" and how one views it is the problem. God allows man the "freedom" to operate within ,AND ONLY WITHIN, His permissive will. How "free" is that?

 

The label of "semi-Pelagian" is a generous one, for most Evangelicals because most Evangelicals are Pelagian.

These terms are not slurs but ways of describing theological positions.

 

One could argue that currently North Korea is not "allowed" the free will to blow up all nations with whom they differ. One could argue that Hitler was not allowed to take over the world though he "willed" it. Free will has to do with sin vs obedience to God.. not how much world-class-evil one will be allowed to do up to whatever limit they of their own free will may choose.

 

If you use the term Evangelical that means they are believers --Christians.

Are Pelagians Christians?

I don't think most American believers are Pelagian. They are semi-Pelagian.

 

I believe that most of these people are Christians.

I've know many Evangelicals over 35 years, and I've yet to hear one mention "prevenient grace" or anything like it. Speak to the average Evangelical and he tell you that men are able to come to Christ unaided by the Holy Spirit, and that's where I label him Pelagian.

I'm in good company when I make this observation about the Evangelical church, in general. RC Sproul wrote a great piece on the subject that I consider a must read.

. . .I’ve often wondered if Luther were alive today and came to our culture and looked, not at the liberal church community, but at evangelical churches, what would he have to say? Of course I can’t answer that question with any kind of definitive authority, but my guess is this: If Martin Luther lived today and picked up his pen to write, the book he would write in our time would be entitled The Pelagian Captivity of the Evangelical Church. . .
The Pelagian Captivity of the Church, by R.C. Sproul​

 

Maybe they are Pelagianistic, which really means they are semi-Pelagian.

Someone may be called Calvinistic --not quite a Calvinist, but leaning in that direction.

I don't have the time now, but check out the terminology in the Canons of Dort. I think they used the term Pelagian in the sense of semi-Pelagian. It doesn't mean they were full-on Pelagian --but leaning in that direction.

 

That viewpoint is not even Arminian,as classic Armianian theology affirms the fall, us being dead in our sins, sin natures, and that God has to initiate saving grace first towards us, so that Pel view below that even!

 

All of us were saved by the Calvinist model of salvation, but some of us just refuse to accept that view as being what the Bible teaches to us... Still are saved, but holding to a less biblical viewpoint.

 

Hardt o be a Christian if one denies the Fall, original sin, and that we are saved by own efforts..
Full blown pel seems to be the ultimate work yourself to salvation method!

 

EFC? I tried a google search for that and the main thing it came up with is Everton Football club.

Does it mean Evangelical Free Church, or is it some organisation?

I know of five Evangelical churches within about 30 miles from here that are reformed and three that are probably not, but those three are ex Brethren, and one is now called a Christian Fellowship.

 

How people describe their experience and what they say regarding how people come to Christ can be remarkably different. Pelagians-Arminians are inconstant. They must be.

 

Yes. I completely agree.

 

Adding this quote from Sproul: “Our lives say much more about how we think than our books do. The theories we preach are not always the ones we actually believe. The theories we live are the ones we really believe.”

 

You mean inconsistent.