Augustine frequently reproaches Pelagius about the fact that the latter had no real theology of the cross. The doctor of grace claims that Christ has died in vain (cf. Galatians 2:21) and that the scandal of the cross has been removed (Galatians 5:11), if human beings could adhere to God’s commandments by the natural law and the choice of the will alone, i.e. without any divine support (e.g. nat. et grat. 1,1; 2,2; 9,10; 40,47 ; spir. et litt. 29.50) Augustine from his side believes that only the unmerited gift of Christ’s grace could save human beings.
Augustine was acquainted with Pelagius’ work. From his analyses it seems that Pelagius’ teaching runs contrary to the Bible. Therefore I will investigate how Pelagius interprets for instance such biblical passages as Galatians 2:21 and 5:11. With Augustine’s reproach in mind I will investigate in particular what Pelagius himself wrote regarding the significance of the cross. The investigation takes us through the passages on the cross in Pelagius’ letters, his commentary on the Epistle of Rome, his exposition of the thirteen letters of Paul, his confession of faith and his written anathema. Is it true that a theology of the cross is fully lacking from Pelagius’ works? Does Pelagius hold that Christ’s death on the cross is no more than a moral example? Was Pelagius consistent in his thinking on the significance of the cross?
Augustine was acquainted with Pelagius’ work. From his analyses it seems that Pelagius’ teaching runs contrary to the Bible. Therefore I will investigate how Pelagius interprets for instance such biblical passages as Galatians 2:21 and 5:11. With Augustine’s reproach in mind I will investigate in particular what Pelagius himself wrote regarding the significance of the cross. The investigation takes us through the passages on the cross in Pelagius’ letters, his commentary on the Epistle of Rome, his exposition of the thirteen letters of Paul, his confession of faith and his written anathema. Is it true that a theology of the cross is fully lacking from Pelagius’ works? Does Pelagius hold that Christ’s death on the cross is no more than a moral example? Was Pelagius consistent in his thinking on the significance of the cross?
By way of conclusion, my paper will give an answer to the question as to whether Augustine was fully right in saying that Pelagius is an “enemy of the cross”.
No comments:
Post a Comment