Thread: Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism

Hey folks, I'm looking for quotes and perhaps a brief outline of Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism.

Where do I start?

Here is A.A. Hodge giving a comparison from his "Outlines in Theology"
A Comparison of Systems, by A.A. Hodge

I was going to link the same outline Jim, just from monergism. Also do not forget to check out http://www.theopedia.com/Main_Page the Theology Wiki from a reformed perspective!

This may help.

NPNF1-05. St. Augustin: Anti-Pelagian Writings

John, were you going to file that under his request for "quotes" or "brief outline"

Originally Posted by Hungus

John, were you going to file that under his request for "quotes" or "brief outline"

LOL!

I'm one for primary sources....

Originally Posted by Hungus

John, were you going to file that under his request for "quotes" or "brief outline"

Pelagianism:

1. Denial of Original Sin
2. Full Libertarian Free Will
3. Adam's fall set a bad example but did not impute sin
4. Jesus' life and death set a good example
5. Humanistic Monergism (man saves himself by choosing Jesus as his example)

Semi-Pelagianism:

1. Accepts Original Sin, but only as an injury to the....
2. Libertarian Free Will, which does choose evil but can (and must) choose God.
3. Synergistic Regeneration - generically 99% - 1% regeneration (God did 99% of the work, you must do the rest and choose to accept that in order to be saved. Most argue that God does the saving, but you must allow Him to save you in order for him to do it, which leads to...)
4. God's ability to save or do good is limited by man's approval in allowing him to do it. To Semi-Pelagians, God is semi-sovereign (which, I believe, is an oxymoron)

Pelagianism is a heresy, semi-pelagianism is almost a heresy. Arminianism is almost semi-pelagianism.

That was a quick outline. Did I miss much, anyone?

Ray,
I think you have a pretty good summary there. Looking at your characteristics of Semi-Pelagianism, what would you say distinguishes it from Arminianism??

Originally Posted by Gomarus

Ray,
I think you have a pretty good summary there. Looking at your characteristics of Semi-Pelagianism, what would you say distinguishes it from Arminianism??

The Arminian view of Original Sin as having fully corrupted man, but free will to do good is a gift of grace from God given to all but only effectual if the gift of free will is used to repent in faith. This doctrine is called Universal Prevenient Grace. Articles 1 and 4 of the Five Articles of Remonstrance describe the Fall and need for prevenient grace.

I believe all else is the same. And, as a result alot of "Arminians" today actually end up being semi-Pelagians without knowing it.

I have to agree with Ray here. Arminianism effectively no longer exists in modern theology it is in almost all cases descended to semi pelagianism at best or open theology.

Again, I think Ray has hit the nail on the head. Arminians -- at least their theologians -- maintain a doctrine of total depravity on one hand, but insist that prevenient grace has offset the noetic effects of the Fall -- especially restoring man's libertarian free will. Thus the difference between Semi-Pelagianism and Arminianism becomes somewhat of a shell game -- because none actually remain in their Adamic Fallen state.