1. Discuss the nature of the Pelagian controversy. This controversy was mostly in the west, so the bishop in Rome had more difficulty remaining completely detached. He was able to keep some distance, though, because the problem occurred in Carthage, North Africa. The Pelagian controversy was over salvation. The questions being asked were: (1) is man a sinner?, (2) what is the effect of sin?, (3) what is the effect of Adam's sin?, (4) what is our relationship with God as a result of our sins?, and (5) does a non-sinner still need salvation? These questions were anthropological (dealing with man) rather than theological (dealing with God).

2. Discuss the key personalities in the Pelagian controversy. Pelagius (370-420AD) was a British monk. He did not think that all men were automatically sinners. He was devout, aesthetic, and sincere. He came to Rome where he was upset by the high amount of sin. So, in 411AD, he went to Carthage and later to Palestine. While in Palestine, he had a conflict with Jerome (345-419AD). Pelagius was a lot like Arius and Nestorius, in that all three were intelligent, popular, and able to gain a following.

Pelagius was not convinced that men had to be sinners, and he rejected the idea of original sin. Augustine (354-430AD) said something like, "Give what Thou will and command what Thou wants," and Pelagius was very upset with that remark. Pelagius said that a man can choose to sin or not and to be saved or not. Moreover, he thought that normal grace was enough for salvation. Some of his more favorable contributions were books about the nature of man, free will, and a commentary on the Epistles of Paul, but these books were not widely published.

Celestius was a lawyer and took Pelagius as his mentor. He began to openly teach Pelagius' views, and he also published many of his works. However, Pelagius was largely interested in morality and Celestius in theology.Pelagius attacked infant baptism, and Celestius jumped on, too. Eventually, Celestius was condemned and banished to Palestine where he continued to work with Pelagius.

Augustine, bishop of Hippo in North Africa, had a Christian mother named Monica who diligently prayed for him. He spent some time with Manicheans before finally becoming a Christian. He was involved in all kinds of immorality and even went to Milan, Italy in search of more. Once there, he found Ambrose to be his mentor. Augustine was converted dramatically after reading Romans 13:13. Because of his deviant lifestyle, he was convinced that sin was a natural state for man, and in 396AD, he became the bishop of Hippo. Jerome was famous for translating the Bible into the Latin Vulgate, and he was the first person to write against Pelagius.

3. Discuss the development of the Pelagian controversy and the four key differences between Pelagius and Augustine. The debate between these two men dealt with the ways of salvation, and each person used Scripture to support their views. Pelagius said that Adam was created innocent, mortal, and with a free will. Augustine said that Adam was created innocent, capable of being mortal, and with a free will. They only disagreed with the second point. Pelagius said that death and sin were not related. Then, concerning the Fall, Pelagius said that it brought spiritual death to Adam but that it was only a bad influence on everyone who has followed. Augustine said that the Fall brought spiritual and physical death to Adam and to everyone that followed him. Pelagius said that everyone born after Adam would enter life innocent, mortal, and with a free will, just like Adam. But Augustine countered that everyone born after Adam would enter life with a corrupt nature, mortal, and no free will about sin or salvation (predetermination). Pelagius said that sin is a willful act irrelevant of the sin nature. He thought that a person could avoid sin.

4. Discuss the consequences of the Pelagian controversy. There were three consequences with this controversy: (1) Pelagius said that grace from God was on everyone and was not special. Augustine said that grace was a special gift from God that produced faith. He also said that God's grace is irresistable (predestination) (2) Pelagius said that God did not elect, but Augustine said that election is eternal, absolute, and unconditional. (3) Pelagius said that infant baptism was necessary for sinners but not necessary for children. Augustine, because of his position on original sin, thought that infant baptism would cleanse the child from the burden of Adam's sin. Augustine thought that baptism was a cleansing act, and both men had an improper view of the ordnance. Pelagius bordered on baptismal regeneration.

5. Discuss the results of the Pelagian controversy. The orthodox church has never taken a definitive position on this issue. In fact, the Jesuits today are very Pelagian in their views. The Council of Ephesus (431AD) was not an authoritative council. They condemned Nestorius who later had to be condemned again in 451AD at Chalcedon. They also condemned Pelagius, but that decision was never officially supported by another council. Concerning his contributions, Augustine emphasized God's soverneignty, took a definitive position on the Donatist matter (Donatus said that the sacraments administered by an impure bishop would still be valid), and wrote "The City of God" to answer criticism that Rome was falling so that the church could rise.

6. Discuss the Iconoclastic controversy. This controversy dealt with those who wanted to destroy idols (iconoclasm), and Emperor Leo III, thinking that idols were bad, sanctioned the practice. Another group said that Jesus had been a type of idol for God, that the idols were alright, and that they should not be destroyed. Finally, John of Damascus said that it was okay to use idols as a form for Jesus, and the second Nicaean Council (787AD) backed that up by saying that the idols should be tolerated. The west was satisfied with the decision, but the east was not. Charlesmagne later tried to do away with the idols, but he failed. Today, idols, or icons, still exist in the Catholic Church, and the most important one is the crucifix.

				Tom of Bethany

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