Theology and Christianity: The Works of Augustine and Pelagius
Pelagius and Augustine are two famous and significant figures in the history of Christianity and theology. Their works are dated as back as the fourth century and have been of significant influence and contribution in today’s theology of Christianity. The debate between the two theologians was primarily centred on the dogma relating to the original sin and the nature of free will after the fall of Adam.
Pelagius was of the opinion that free will is naturally occurring to human beings. According to him, the free will helps us to decide whether to sin or not. He views humans to be like Adam before the fall and believes that God only creates good in humans. Pelagius believed that our actions, choices, and decisions determine whether we are sinners or not. He even backs up his theory with the story of Job and how he chose not to sin despite his seemingly desperate circumstances. Pelagius also pursued to convince that the case of Adam and Eve was a solely different and independent case with no connection to the human race.
Augustine, on the other hand, believed that the sin committed by Adam and Eve had a direct effect on the human race. According to Augustine, because of the original sin, the entire human race acquired the sinful nature. As a result, all humans are bound by the sin, and that is solely through the Grace of God that we receive forgiveness and granted a second chance to relive with a fresh opportunity of leading a life of faith and holiness in God.
Pelagius was also more focused about the devotion and commitment in God. He had a strong zeal for Godliness as he also made efforts to impact moral changes. Pelagius was also against Augustine’s belief that original sin committed by Adam was transferred to the entire humankind. He emphasized that when Adam sinned, he did it for himself and that there is no connection between that and humans who have not sinned. Augustine also objected Pelagius theory about the fall in the garden. According to him, a person’s original sin happens when they make the wrong choices and decisions out of their own free will. He goes on to insist that it is only through receiving Grace and redemption that we obtain the freedom to sin or not to sin. Before receiving the Grace, we are lured by our irresistible desires to sin.

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