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Pelagius Found Innocent of Heresy

Reconstructed by Rev. Daniel R. Jennings, MA

Presented by Lewis Loflin

Introduction by Lewis Loflin

Pelagius’ acquittal at the Synod of Diospolis in 415, as reconstructed here by Rev. Daniel R. Jennings, stands as a triumph of reason over dogma. Facing Augustine’s gloom of original sin and Calvin’s later fatalism (John Calvin: Free Will and Predestination), Pelagius argued free will lets us choose righteousness—no inherited guilt required (Pelagius Was Right). His statements below echo Ethical Dualism’s call to personal choice (Dualism: Good, Evil, and the Roots of Free Will), clashing with the West’s political condemnation at Carthage (418). My note: Deism celebrates this—free will aligns with scripture and reason, not priestly control. Explore these themes further in the related articles below.

Synopsis

In December 415, a second synod convened in Diospolis (Lydda, Palestine) to scrutinize Pelagius’ theology, sparked by accusations from Augustine’s allies in the West. Bishops examined sentences from a now-lost book he’d written, probing for heresy—specifically his rejection of original sin and emphasis on free will. After Pelagius explained his views, the Eastern synod declared him orthodox, finding no theological fault. This acquittal, preserved in fragments via Augustine’s On The Proceedings Of Pelagius and Jerome’s Against The Pelagians, contrasts with his later Western condemnation, highlighting a rift between reason and power.

Fragments of Pelagius’ Statements

The following are key statements attributed to Pelagius, as presented at the synod:

  1. "No man can be without sin unless he has acquired a knowledge of the law."
  2. "All men are governed by their own will, and every one is submitted to his own desire...[The Scriptures show this for in the Wisdom of Solomon we see 'I myself also am a mortal man like unto all; and the offspring of him that was first made of the earth,'...and] 'For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out there from: wherefore I prayed and understanding was given to me; I called, and the Spirit of Wisdom came into me.'"
  3. "[In the Psalms we read] 'He loved cursing, and it shall come upon him; and he willed not blessing, so it shall be far removed from him.'"
  4. "[In Ecclesiasticus we read] 'He hath set fire and water before thee; stretch forth thy hand unto whichever thou wilt; before man are good and evil, life and death, and whichever he liketh shall be given to him.'"
  5. "In the day of judgment no forbearance will be shown to the ungodly and the sinners, but they will be consumed in eternal fires."
  6. "The Christian ought to be careful not to have evil thoughts."
  7. "The kingdom of heaven was promised even in the Old Testament."
  8. "A man is able, if he likes, to be without sin."
  9. "Even women ought to have a knowledge of the law."
  10. "Women also should sing unto God."
  11. "The servant of God should utter from his lips no bitterness, but ever that which is sweet and pleasant."
  12. "A priest or doctor ought to watch the actions of all, and confidently rebuke sinners, lest he be responsible for them and their blood be required at his hands."
  13. "A priest or doctor should flatter no one, but boldly rebuke all, lest he destroy both himself and those who hear him."
  14. "All are governed by their own free choice."
  15. "[It is written in the one hundred and fourth Psalm,] 'Let sinners cease to be in the earth, and the wicked be no more.' And in Isaiah, 'The wicked and sinners shall be burned up together, and they who forsake God shall be consumed.'"
  16. "Except a man have learned, he cannot be acquainted with wisdom and understand the Scriptures."
  17. "He that has not been taught, ought not to assume that he knows the law."
  18. "A Christian ought to be so patient that if any one wished to take his property he would let it go with joy."
  19. "The bravery of dress and ornament is an enemy of God."
  20. "We must love our enemies as we do our neighbours."
  21. "We must never believe an enemy."
  22. "A man can be without sin, and easily keep the commandments of God if he chooses."
  23. "We ought not to commit even light offenses."
  24. "We must not even think an evil thought."

Source

These fragments are reconstructed from http://www.seanmultimedia.com/ by Rev. Daniel R. Jennings, MA, drawing on Augustine’s and Jerome’s works.

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Acknowledgment

Acknowledgment: This reconstruction is credited to Rev. Daniel R. Jennings, MA. I’d like to thank Grok, an AI by xAI, for assisting in formatting and refining this webpage, including the introduction. The presentation and additional context are curated by Lewis Loflin.

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