Augustine Vs. Pelagius

Both Augustine and Pelagius agreed that God has made human beings free, and that the source of evil is in the will (Gonzalez p. 214). Where they differed was on the belief of "original sin" and how human beings received salvation. Augustine stated that the power of sin is such that it takes hold of the will and as long as human beings are under its power, they cannot "will" to release themselves. Due to the sinful natures of human beings, the sinner can will nothing but sin with his freedom (Gonzalez p. 214). However, Pelagius did not believe in the corrupted nature of human beings or in original sin (Gonzalez p. 214).

According to Augustine--due to sinful nature, an individual was still free to choose other alternatives, but each choice was laced with sin in some manner. In Augustine's words, before the Fall human beings were free to sin and not to sin. But between the Fall and redemption the only freedom left for man is freedom to sin. After redemption, the grace of God worked in human beings and lead the will from the miserable state to a new state in which freedom was restored so that human beings were now free both to sin and not to sin. In heaven, human beings will still be free but only free not to sin (Gonzalez p. 214). For Augustine, only through the power of grace and divine initiative can predestined sinners be converted and receive salvation (Gonzalez p. 215).

Pelagius was a pious monk and felt that men always have the ability to overcome their sin (Gonzalez p. 214). He claimed that human beings are born with complete freedom to sin or not to sin. He did not believe in original sin or a corrupted nature that forces men to sin. He saw the Christian life as a constant effort through which one's sins could be overcome and salvation attained by works (Gonzalez p. 214).

In conclusion, Augustine stated that through God's grace an individual received salvation and the ability to be holy while Pelagius believed that an individual's ability to overcome his sin from birth gives him the ability to be holy.

Bibliography

Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity, Volume 1. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1984.