Semipelagianism

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church | 2000 | 700+ words | Copyright

Semipelagianism. Doctrines on human nature upheld in the 5th cent. by a group of theologians who, while not denying the necessity of grace for salvation, maintained that the first steps towards the Christian life were ordinarily taken by the human will and that grace supervened only later. The position was roughly midway between the views of St Augustine and Pelagius. These teachings were first given expression c.425 by representatives of the monastic movement in S. Gaul, including John Cassian. Though opposed by St Prosper of Aquitaine, Semipelagianism continued to be the dominant teaching on grace in Gaul for several generations. After the condemnation of Semipelagianism (and Pelagianism) by a Council at Orange in 529, the Augustinian doctrine on grace was generally accepted in the W.

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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Semipelagianism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Semipelagianism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-Semipelagianism.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Semipelagianism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-Semipelagianism.html

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