Semi-Pelagianism

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Semipelagianism was one in the 5th / 6th centuries. Century, especially in southern Gaul widespread theological teaching, which is close to Pelagianism , but tries to differentiate its statements from the Pelagianism of a Julianus of Eclanum , already condemned by the Council of Ephesus . This movement was triggered by Augustine's harsh condemnation of Pelagianism , whose views on sin and grace particularly attacked members of ascetic monastic communities. The main representative was the monk Johannes Cassianus in Marseille . In the 13th book of his conversations with the fathers , he presented his views differing from his doctrine of predestination and grace , which Augustine 428/429 wrote in two writings - De praedestinatione sanctorum (MPL 44, 959-992) and De dono perseverantiae (MPL 45 , 993-1034) - were combated. In it Augustine emphasizes that not only is faith itself a gift of grace from God from the beginning, but also perseverance in faith.

The semi-Pelagian dispute lasted for the following decades and was only ended in 529 at the Synod of Orange ( Orange on the Rhône) with a condemnation of semi-Pelagianism. The resolutions of the Arausicanum were confirmed by Pope Boniface II and rejected both Pelagianism and Semipelagianism in the spirit of the Augustinian teachings on sin and grace. Free will is so weakened by original sin that man can neither love nor believe in God on his own initiative, nor do anything good for his sake. Perseverance in faith is also grace. The idea of ​​a double predestination (one for salvation, the other for damnation) was rejected by the synod.

literature

  • Karl Suso Frank : Augustine's doctrine of predestination and semipelagianism . In: Ders .: Textbook of the history of the old church . Schöningh, Paderborn 1996, ISBN 3-506-72601-3 , pp. 291-294.
  • Gerhard Rottenwöhrer: Semipelagianism (Theos; Vol. 95). Kovač, Hamburg 2011, ISBN 978-3-8300-5605-8 .