Pelagius

Question 1

The role of original sin

Answer 1

• Pelagius’ theory starts with an interpretation of ‘the fall’ of Adam + Eve that created the original sin
• Pelagius argued an omnibenevolent God would not punish all humanity
• Adam’s sin only affected Adam
• The fall was a good thing
• Adam + Eve needed to defy God in order to grow maturity

Question 2

Free will is used to follow God’s law

Answer 2

• People use their free will to follow God’s moral law (e.g following the commandments)
• Commandments was within human will capabilities because a loving God would not create commandments that humans didn’t have the capacity to follow

Question 3

The role of God’s grace in salvation

Answer 3

• Pelagius saw God’s grace as enabling, not forcing, good works
• God is acting as a guide to do good works
• God tries to guide humanity towards doing good but within the constraints of human free will
• through God’s grace people can be forgiven and achieve salvation
• He puts forward the idea of universal atonement - all humanity can achieve salvation in heaven