Pelagian

Pelagian is a theological doctrine that emerged in the late 4th and early 5th centuries, named after its proponent, Pelagius. The core tenet of Pelagianism is the belief in human free will and the capacity for individuals to choose good or evil without the necessity of divine grace. Pelagius argued that Adam's sin was not inherited by humanity, and therefore, people are born in the same state as Adam was before the fall, capable of obeying God's commands through their own natural abilities. This implies that salvation is achievable through virtuous living and adherence to divine law, without the intervention of supernatural aid.

Pelagianism was met with strong opposition, most notably from Augustine of Hippo. Augustine championed the doctrine of original sin, asserting that humanity inherits Adam's sin and is consequently incapable of choosing good apart from God's grace. He argued that divine grace is essential for salvation, not merely helpful. The teachings of Pelagius were formally condemned as heresy by several church councils, including the Council of Carthage in 418 and the Council of Ephesus in 431. While Pelagianism as a distinct movement largely disappeared, some of its ideas have resurfaced in various forms throughout Christian history, often prompting renewed theological debate on the nature of free will, grace, and predestination.