pelagianism

Pelagianism is a Christian theological term associated with Pelagius, a British ascetic active in the late 4th and early 5th centuries. The movement held that human beings can attain salvation through their own effort and merits without requiring a uniquely efficacious grace to overcome inherent corruption. A central claim was that original sin does not transmit guilt or taint human nature; rather, people are born morally free and capable of choosing good. In this view, infants are not inherently corrupt, and moral progress is possible through the proper use of reason, law, and personal will.

On grace and salvation, Pelagius emphasized human freedom and responsibility. He argued that divine grace provides guidance, instruction, and the opportunity to do good, but does not compel or impute righteousness apart from cooperative human action. In other words, salvation is achievable through faithful obedience to God's commands, aided by grace but not dependent on an indispensable transformation of the will by God’s inner operation.

The ideas were contested by Augustine of Hippo, who argued that original sin corrupts human nature and that humans require efficacious grace for any true turn toward God. The Pelagian position was condemned by African synods and by the broader Western church in the early 5th century, notably at the Councils of Carthage (around 411–418). Later, the term semi-Pelagianism arose to describe a middle view that was rejected by the Council of Orange (529), which reaffirmed Augustine’s emphasis on grace.

Pelagianism remains a reference point in discussions of original sin, free will, and the role of divine grace in salvation, illustrating a major early dispute over the extent of human ability versus divine initiative.