Views of Augustine and Pelagius on Free Will

Augustine of Hippo and Pelagius were both people who helped influence Christianity and what it is today. Both men had large followings, yet had vastly different views on sin, grace, and free will. They were threatened by each other’s’ viewpoints, but were determined to preserve and spread their own beliefs. Their disagreements over these important topics consistently led to them trying to prove each other wrong. Both Augustine and Pelagius views on sin, grace and free will caused disagreements within the Christian faith.

Sin was the first topic Augustine and Pelagius had controversy over. Sin can be defined as an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. Sins can be a variety of acts committed from something as simple as telling a lie to as complicated as murder. People can define sin on their own terms since it may be different for each and every individual. Augustine believes that each person is born with a clean slate and a love of evil and sin later emerges through the “self.” Augustine defines the self as a part of us that turns away from god and all of its actions are hedonistic. He states that the “self” turns its back to God because it loves evil. Augustine also says that sin is rooted in loving the creation (ourselves) greater than our creator (God).

In contrast, Pelagius believes that there is no “self” steering us away from God, and that we are responsible for our own actions. Augustine’s view blames sin on something we cannot control ourselves and something that we have to succumb to. Pelagius is fearful of his view on sin because it makes us feel helpless against sin as humans. Similar to Augustine, he believes all individuals are born with a clean slate, but believes we are in full control and responsible for each and every sinful act we commit.

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The next subject the two men disagreed over was their views on grace. Augustine’s view on grace was that it must come before anything else that is truly pleasing to God. Grace leads to works done by us that are really acts by God. Having grace is what leads people to act graciously in order to please God. Without grace, individuals may not be completing actions that are appealing to God.

Pelagius believes that grace is external. He believes every one’s decisions are independent from God, and everyone has the free will to make their own decisions. It is up to the individual to follow the Bible and learn from others, as well as create a life they believe God would want them to lead. Augustine and Pelagius fought over the topic of grace because Augustine believed grace must be given to God while Pelagius believes grace is received from God.

The final topic they disagreed upon was free will. Augustine believes that will is a conscious part of everyday life and allows for many choices. People tend to make choices based off of their desires and personalities. On the other hand, Augustine believes all choices chosen are evil because society is not free and people cannot always choose what they love. His view on free will is not free, because he believes evil choices will always prevail.

Pelagius believed that the free will a society has allows people to freely practice and worship God however they choose. He believes we are completely free to make our own choices because divine justice implies freedom. While Augustine’s view of free will is not truly free and the individual is not dependent, Pelagius’s view is truly free and the individual is independent.

In conclusion, Augustine and Pelagius have vastly different views when it comes to the topics of sin, grace, and free will. Both opinions are accepted by many and are equally valid and important in Christianity. Without the debate between both opinions, some of the Christian beliefs that exist today would not.

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