Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Associate Professor of Philosophy Department, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2 M.A. of Religions & Mysticism, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The main polemic issues between Pelagius and Augustine, the influential thinker of the Christian Church, was the essential nature of man, the nature of sin, original sin and its consequences, the will of man and the way of salvation. This study shows that Pelagius' teachings about human, although was condemned as heretical, during the councils, in view of modern scholars, are the most important part of the Christian tradition. Pelagius believes that human is good and free by nature and his nature is not spoiled by a secret weakness. Idea of inherited sin is unthinkable and blasphemous. The excellencies of man are his reason and free will. Adam sinned through free will. So do his descendants. Only spiritual death is. However, this is not inherited but acquired by each man through his own actual sins. Divine grace is threefold. It manifests itself (a) in man's natural constitution by virtue of which eveyone have been perfect men, (b) in the law of God by which, to aid man's reason darkened by sin, he reveals what man ought to do, and (c) in the grace of Christ which is essentially enlightenment and teaching working through Christ's example through the assurance of forgiveness and the doctrines of the church. All three types of “grace” have the potential to usher men into the Kingdom of God. Since God wills all men to be saved, lack of salvation must arise from a negative movement of the human will.
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