Pelágios

Pelágios was a theologian who lived in the late 4th and early 5th centuries. He was born in Great Britain and became a monk. Pelágios gained notoriety for his teachings on free will and divine grace. His central argument was that humans possess the inherent capacity to choose between good and evil without the necessity of divine intervention. He believed that Adam's sin only affected Adam and did not transmit original sin to his descendants. Consequently, individuals are born in a state of moral neutrality, capable of achieving righteousness through their own efforts and adherence to God's law.

Pelágios's views were particularly influential in Rome, where he attracted followers. However, his doctrines soon came under scrutiny from other prominent church figures. Augustine of Hippo, a leading theologian of the era, became his most vocal critic. Augustine strongly defended the concept of original sin and the absolute necessity of God's grace for salvation. He argued that humanity, corrupted by Adam's sin, is incapable of choosing good on its own and requires divine assistance to overcome sin and achieve salvation.

The theological debate between Pelágios and Augustine, known as Pelagianism, became a major controversy within the early Christian church. Councils were convened to address these differing interpretations of sin, free will, and grace. Ultimately, the teachings of Pelágios were condemned as heresy by several church councils, most notably the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. While Pelágios himself was excommunicated, his ideas continued to resurface in various forms throughout church history, often sparking further theological discussions.