Video - The Pelagian Controversy: Grace vs. Free Will

Today, we will explore the Pelagian controversy, a major theological dispute in early Christianity that challenged views on human nature and divine grace. The controversy began in the early 5th century with Pelagius, a British monk who emphasized free will. He argued that humans could achieve salvation through their efforts without divine grace, believing people were born innocent and could live sinless lives by following Christ. This clashed with St. Augustine's views, who taught that humanity was tainted by original sin and that divine grace was essential for salvation. The debate quickly spread, with Pelagius’s ideas seen as undermining Christ’s sacrifice. In 418 AD, the Council of Carthage condemned Pelagianism, affirming original sin and the necessity of grace. The controversy culminated at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, where Pelagianism was declared heretical, solidifying Augustine’s teachings in Christian doctrine. The Pelagian controversy shaped early Christian theology and continues to influence thought today. Follow us for daily church history insights.