St. Augustine's role in the Pelagian controversy, wherein a popular theologian issued beliefs contrary to those of the Catholic order, is explained within. Pelagius was a popular figure in Rome and wider Christendom; thought to have hailed from the British Isles, his multilingualism, learned stature and obvious ascetic leanings made him a well-recognized and appreciated Christian. Years of preaching in Rome in the 4th and 5th centuries affected Pelagius' views; in particular, he felt that those who pled their very humanity was the reason for their sins and wrongdoing were abominable. In his writings, little of which survive to the modern day, Pelagius offers an alternative theology based on readings of the New Testament. The Augustinian notion of original sin - that sin is inherited to all humanity since the fall of Adam and Eve - is rejected by Pelagius, who felt that individual humans have the capacity to shape their own spiritual destiny through both piety and moral living.

The Pelagian Controversy (411-431) was one of the most important theological controversies in the history of Christianity. It was a bitter and messy affair in the evening of the Roman Empire that addressed some of the most important questions that we ask about ourselves: Who are we? What does it mean to be a human being? Are we good, or are we evil? Are we burdened by an uncontrollable impulse to sin? Do we have free will? It was comprised by a group of men who were some of the greatest thinkers of Late Antiquity, such as Augustine, Jerome, John Cassian, Pelagius, Caelestius, and Julian of Eclanum. These men were deeply immersed in the rich Roman literary and intellectual traditions of that time, and they, along with many other great minds of this period, tried to create equally rich Christian literary and intellectual traditions. This controversy--which is usually of interest only to historians and theologians of Christianity--should be appreciated by a wide audience because it was the primary event that shaped the way Christians came to understand the human person for the next 1,600 years. It is still relevant today because anthropological questions continue to haunt our public discourse.

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The contributors to Grace for Grace focus on the debates on grace and free will inspired by Augustine's later teachings on grace and the various reactions to it. Based on fresh study of a wealth of primary sources, this international team of scholars explores the intra-Church debates over grace and free will after Augustine and Pelagius. In both popular and scholarly literature, the conflict has been traditionally referred to as the "Semi-Pelagian Controversy". For several decades, however, scholars have been distancing themselves from that simplistic and inaccurate portrayal. This book intends to solidify a disparate movement of scholarly thought and provide a secure basis for renewed study of the persons, texts, and events of a critical period in the reception of Augustine in the Early Middle Ages. (book jacket).

Studying the presence of grace in Augustine's sermones ad populum preached during the period of the Pelagian controversy, this book eplores the anthropological-ethical perspective of his doctrine of grace and indicates the continuity in his reflections on grace and human freedom.

Revision of the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--Universit of Oxford, 2010.

Augustine is widely considered to be one of the most influential theologians of all time and stands as a giant among giants in the history of the Christian faith. However, while many Christians are familiar with the broad strokes of his theology, few readers today have explored the riches of his spiritual life. In this addition to Crossway’s growing Theologians on the Christian Life series, renowned scholar Gerald Bray seeks to show us that Augustine is just as relevant today as it was in AD 430. Focusing on the North African pastor’s personal transformation and dependence on the the Word of God, Bray gives us a picture of this ancient hero of the faith that can sharpen and encourage modern believers. Part of the Theologians on the Christian Life series.