Comments on: Pelagius: To Demetrias

By: Kester

Kester — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 06:33:39 +0000

David asks why this case was such the exception. I think, unlike the councils, it was a battle of pride, or a battle of ideas, rather than a Spirit-led attempt to be led to Truth together. In this sense, they kind of set the tone for the West for years to come. They are the Bill O’Reilly and … ummmm … that guy from CNN of their era. So … who was their Jon Stewart?

By: David

David — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:15:41 +0000

Sean uses an interesting phrase “wise center”. I have heard many use phrases like this (Royal Way, etc) about how the Councils usually corrected extremes over the centuries. I wonder why this case was such the exception.

By: Sean+ Lotz

Sean+ Lotz — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:08:42 +0000

St. Augustine and Pelagius pushed each other farther and farther from the wise center. They each wound up saying stupid stuff (not the technical theological term). St. Augustine carries the greater blame, I believe, since he was the greater intellect and should have known better. Poor Pelagius just got defensive.

By: Ron Almberg

Ron Almberg — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:01:51 +0000

This is an excellent treatment of Pelagius. His critique of Augustine was a good one. Unfortunately, the African leaders carried great weight and rallied together against his views of grace and free will. Some of the church councils remind me more of our modern political climate than well reasoned debates concerned for truth. Criticism of Augustinian theology has only recently gained a new hearing and momentum in practical and biblical theology circles. Thanks for sharing this great article.

By: Silouan

Silouan — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:47:56 +0000

I think I agree. I also get the impression that Pelagius’ ongoing debate with Augustine didn’t do either of them any favors. Like an Internet poster trouncing his online nemesis, I suspect that in opposing the other’s arguments, they each ended up arguing a somewhat skewed caricature of their starting positions.

By: Sean+ Lotz

Sean+ Lotz — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:52:07 +0000

Thank you, Silouan, for reproducing Deacon Geoffrey’s article. I loved it when he first published it, and I think I still do. I have long held that Reese’s assessment of Pelagius as a “reluctant heretic” was spot on, and P’s biggest sin was simply stating that Christians ought to act as such, a think I certainly do not want to hear.