Theophilux has challenged my beliefs by helping me either strengthen or reconstruct them. In doing so it has made me aware of others belief systems. A term that has been tossed around from time to time on this site is “Pelagianism”.  Unlike many on this site, I am not a seminary student, and this concept was not thoroughly addressed in my undergrad classes as a Christian Ministries student. This lead me to a brief exploration into Pelagianism is and why its a heresy.

What is Pelagiamism?          

Pelagianism derives its name from Pelagius a British Monk who lived in Rome in the 5th century A.D. He emphasized the innocence of man and free will.  He believed that if God gave men commands then he also gave them the ability to work those commands.  He and his followers framed six doctrines.

1. Adam would have died even if he had not sin.

2. The sin of Adam injured himself alone, not the human race.

3. Newborn children are in the same condition as Adam was before the Fall; corollary; that infants, though unbaptized, have eternal life.

4. The Old Testament Law, as well as the New Testament Gospel, gives entrance to heaven.

5. There were some before the time of Christ who lived without sin.

6. The whole human race does not die because of Adam’s death or sin, nor will it rise again because of Christ’s resurrection.

Coelestius, Pelagius’ main disciple added three additional points.

1. If we will, we can live without sin

2. Unbaptized infants attain unto eternal life. 

3. The rich who are baptized will have no merit, nor will they inherit the Kingdom of God, if they do not renounce their possessions.

Admittedly this is a short summary of Pelagianism, but I believe this highlights the concepts that Pelagius taught. 

Why is Pelagianism heresy?

Pelagianism seems to contradict a number of Biblical teachings. These teachings include:

We are sinful from the moment of conception (Psalm 51:5)

We die as a result of sin (Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 6:23)

We are born with a natural inclination towards sin (Romans 3:10-18).

Adam’s sin is the reason that sin infects us (Romans 5:12)