Pelagianism: The Religion of Natural Man

Modern Reformation ^ | 1994 | Michael Horton

[Gamecock]

Cicero observed of his own civilization that people thank the gods for their material prosperity, but never for their virtue, for this is their own doing. Princeton theologian B. B. Warfield considered Pelagianism "the rehabilitation of that heathen view of the world," and concluded with characteristic clarity, "There are fundamentally only two doctrines of salvation: that salvation is from God, and that salvation is from ourselves. The former is the doctrine of common Christianity; the latter is the doctrine of universal heathenism." /cut/

In his Commentary on Romans, Pelagius thought of grace as God's revelation in the Old and New Testaments, which enlightens us and serves to promote our holiness by providing explicit instruction in godliness and many worthy examples to imitate. So human nature is not conceived in sin. After all, the will is not bound by the sinful condition and its affections; choices determine whether one will obey God, and thus be saved. /cut/

According to Finney, Christ could not have fulfilled the obedience we owed to God, since it would not be rational that one man could atone for the sins of anyone besides himself. Furthermore, "If he obeyed the law as our substitute, then why should our own return to personal obedience be insisted upon as the sine qua non of our salvation?" /cut/

The fact that recent polls indicate that 77% of the evangelicals today believe that human beings are basically good and 84% of these conservative Protestants believe that in salvation "God helps those who help themselves" demonstrates incontrovertibly that contemporary Christianity is in a serious crisis. No longer can conservative, "Bible-believing" evangelicals smugly hurl insults at mainline Protestants and Roman Catholics for doctrinal treason.

[jo kus]

+John of Damascus said that man was indeed created with sanctifying grace, but even at that he was not created "in" union with God, that is to say in a state of theosis, but rather "for" union with God and thus in a state of potential theosis,

I am not sure I understand the distinction. "Potential" theosis? Paul says that the Second Adam restored what the first Adam lost in Romans 5, so that implies the first Adam before the lapse was beyond "potential" theosis, don't you think? Could it be that only with Christ's Atonement was the prodigy of Adam able to later come to divinization later? But what about pre-Fall?

What appears certain is that Adam was free from irregular desire (concupiscience), as that flows from sin, which hadn't existed yet. We also believe he was bodily immortal before the fall. Does the East agree?

In other words, its rather like we have an inherited, spiritually defective DNA, but we inherit neither his sin nor the guilt for it.

The West says the same thing, with a twist. First, Trent says Original sin is a true and proper sin, a guilt of sin - but does not attribute that guilt specifically to an event. It says original sin is the death of the soul - the absence of supernatural life (sanctifying grace). With Baptism, sanctifying grace is infused. Does the East agree? Original sin consists more of a deprivation of grace caused by the head of our race, and not a personal guilt from our own sin. I think it consists more of a lack of something than a positive accumulation of an evil.

Is there anything that I missed? I am not sure what the differences are yet on this subject - accept the pre-Fall state is treated by the East a bit differently.

Brother in Christ

[Kolokotronis]

"I am not sure I understand the distinction. "Potential" theosis? Paul says that the Second Adam restored what the first Adam lost in Romans 5, so that implies the first Adam before the lapse was beyond "potential" theosis, don't you think?"

No, I don't think so and neither did the Fathers. Adam was not created in a state of theosis but only with the then unobstructed ability to attain theosis or divinization. His sin cut him off from that divinization. Indeed as +Paul says, Christ restored to mankind, and to Adam himself as the Icon of the Resurrection shows, that pre-Fall potential.

"We also believe he was bodily immortal before the fall. Does the East agree?"

All bad things and states in the world, including physical death, stem from the sins of mankind. Adam's sin so distorted creatrion that physical decay and death entered the world. In part this is why Orthodoxy looks at sin as a sickness, not just of the soul, but also of the body. The Church is the hoppital for the healing of that sickness and its results.'

"The West says the same thing, with a twist. First, Trent says Original sin is a true and proper sin, a guilt of sin - but does not attribute that guilt specifically to an event. .... Does the East agree"

No. The sin of Adam was just that, Adam's sin. We carry no guilt for that sin.

"It says original sin is the death of the soul - the absence of supernatural life (sanctifying grace)."

Well, yes and no. Adam's sin brought death and sin into the world and we are subject to that. Sanctifying grace, as you put it, has no particular purpose other than to strengthen us and allow us to attain theosis, and in a perfect world, the theosis of all creation. Spiritual death is not the absence of supernatural life, but rather the inability, because of sin, to become like Christ and thus divinized.

"With Baptism, sanctifying grace is infused."

The Fathers say:

"For prisoners, baptism is ransom, forgiveness of debts, the death of sin, regeneration of the soul, a resplendent garment, an unbreakable seal, a chariot to heaven, a royal protector, a gift of adoption" +Basil the Great

"As we are lepers in sin, we are made clean from our old transgressions by means of the sacred water and the invocation of the Lord. We are thus spiritually regenerated as newborn infants, even as the Lord has declared: 'Except a man be born again through water and the Spirit, he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.'" +Irenaeus of Lyons

"...from the instant we are baptized, grace is hidden in the depths of the intellect, concealing its presence even from the perception of the intellect itself. When someone begins, however, to love God with full resolve, then in a mysterious way, by means of intellectual perception, grace communicates something of its riches to his soul. Then, if he really wants to hold fast to this discovery, he joyfully starts longing to be rid of all his temporal goods, so as to acquire the field in which he has found the hidden treasure of life (cf. Matt. 13:44). This is because, when someone rids himself of all worldly riches, he discovers the place where the grace of God is hidden. For as the soul advances, divine grace more and more reveals itself to the intellect." St. Diadochos of Photiki

The East agrees.

"I think it consists more of a lack of something than a positive accumulation of an evil."

I disagree. The sin of Adam is definitely an evil, perhaps the greatest of all. That sin distorted all of creation down to us and the accumulation of sin, of evil, in history is why the world is as it is today.

[jo kus]

Thanks for your insight into the Eastern way of thinking. After some thought, it seems we are saying the same thing in different manners.

I understand how Adam's sin has closed off the potential theosis. But certainly, man had access to this, even during the OT, retroactively, with the death of Christ and His subsequent resurrection. Recall Christ descended into hell for this purpose. Thus, all men who turned to God, including Adam, have been saved by Christ. Thus, in the end, all men, even of the OT, had the potential of theosis, based on the future Atonement. A mystery, wouldn't you say?

Spiritual death is not the absence of supernatural life, but rather the inability, because of sin, to become like Christ and thus divinized

That seems to mean the same thing, like I said before. The East and West have different ways of looking at the same thing. For without God, we have death - in eternal hell, the second death. Supernatural life is Christ Himself infused within us, so without it, we cannot be divinized.

Well, I promised I wouldn't irritate you, I just wanted to know where the East stood on such things - as I am preparing a class for RCIA on the Fall and original sin. Does Eastern Orthodoxy still conduct the ancient rituals of RCIA for new members entering the faith as adults? It is good to hear about it from another point of view.

I thank you again for your courtesy in pointing out your point of view on this subject.

Brother in Christ

[Kolokotronis]

"I understand how Adam's sin has closed off the potential theosis. But certainly, man had access to this, even during the OT, retroactively, with the death of Christ and His subsequent resurrection."

I disagree. After the Fall and before the Resurrection, man did not have access to theosis or even the potential for it. Mankind and all creation had become so distorted by sin that theosis was quite impossible. This is not to say that there were not people who earnestly sought out communion with God, including our father Adam. And God never abandoned us and always loved us and His creation. In God's own time came the Incarnation, when, as +Athanasius says, "God became man so that man might become God.", that man might attain theosis which is what our original purpose was and thus Christ is called the Second Adam. By His Incarnation and Resurrection from the Dead, the original potential was restored as is so graphically demonstrated by the Icon of the Resurrection which you might want to use as a teaching tool in your RCIA class. Were I you, I would avoid terms like retroactive since the Mystery of the Incarnation and the Resurrection are really eternal and timeless matters and the use of "temporal" terms may lead to confusion.

"The East and West have different ways of looking at the same thing. For without God, we have death - in eternal hell, the second death. Supernatural life is Christ Himself infused within us, so without it, we cannot be divinized."

Well, sort of. Physical death came into the world as a result of sin. Indeed, much of the "natural" disaster we see around us is as a result, not of God's punishment, but rather on account of the accumulated burden of sin on creation. Damnation at the Final Judgment, true Death, the Fathers teach, is not a result of some adding up of good and evil deeds in a balance, but rather a measure of how much like Christ we have become in our lives. God's grace, His love, falls on the good and the evil equally just as the rain does. The issue becomes how we respond to that grace, what we do with it. The Church has always known this and indeed has given us multiple guides in this journey; the Imitatio Christi and the Ladder of Divine Ascent spring to mind and of course and foremost the Sacraments of The Church, especially, in my opinion, Baptism, Confession and the Eucharist. As we "advance" up the Ladder of theosis, we gradually die to the self, thereby clearing away the veils of the eye of the soul and come to clearly "see" or "experience" the uncreated light of our great God. But none of this, none at all, would be possible since the Fall without the Incarnation and Resurrection.

"Does Eastern Orthodoxy still conduct the ancient rituals of RCIA for new members entering the faith as adults?"

We certainly do, though it isn't quite as formalized as yours. Catechumens must spend at least six months, usually a year or more in regular, weekly sessions with the priest where they learn about the Faith through reading of the Fathers and study of the writings of great, almost always monastic, spiritual fathers. They are of course expected to attend the Divine Liturgy on Sundays. When the priest thinks they are ready, a sponsor is chosen from the community and baptism (if necessary), chrismation and Holy Communion take place. Usually a substantial portion of the community attends, but this would be in small communties like ours. I don't suspect its true in the real big parishes. Then we have a party, which we are particularly good at!

"I just wanted to know where the East stood on such things - as I am preparing a class for RCIA on the Fall and original sin."

Good for you. That is very important work. Perhaps the most important work that lay people like us can do. Just as a suggestion, you may want to look into using Icons in your teaching. In part that's what they are for. Also, I'd read the Fathers, especially +Cyril of Jerusalem and his catecatical sermons on Baptism, +Athanasius on the Incarnation and +John Chrysostomos on just about anything, but especially his short and profound sermon for Easter. Inculcating your charges with the catechism is all fine and good...and important, but the Fathers will show the catechumens the mystical and joyous and transforming depth of The Faith.

[solafiducia]

"Anyway, I listen to the WHI on CD. I need to listen to them an Sproul just to keep my sanity."

I can imagine you would need, to living in the cradle of 'higher criticism' as you are. Thank you for your service to our great nation. I hope God blesses you abundantly during your deployment!

[jo kus]

After the Fall and before the Resurrection, man did not have access to theosis or even the potential for it. Mankind and all creation had become so distorted by sin that theosis was quite impossible.

I think men have always had the opportunity to be righteous, even in the OT, as God has always reached out to men. For example, David was the apple of God's eye. They certainly had a special relationship. While I agree that this goes beyond what I should be teaching at RCIA (it is confusing enough talking about the eternity of God compared to us!), I think the Church does teach that the OT prophets are in heaven and had special relationships with God, as God had foreknowledge that His Son would die on the cross and bring about the recapitulation and atonement of man. We'll stick with your description and chronology, though!

You mention icons. I have one here at home, a small one of Jesus the Pantocrator on wood. How can I use these icons, though, for teaching? I use it for prayer. Where can I get quality images of other icons? Thanks in advance.

Damnation at the Final Judgment, true Death, the Fathers teach, is not a result of some adding up of good and evil deeds in a balance, but rather a measure of how much like Christ we have become in our lives.

LOL!!! Trust me, I have been in several long discussions on this very issue with some of our brother Protestants. No need for that reminder! It is ALL based on Christ's work of Atonement. As you know, Catholics have had to deal with this issue in more detailed manner because of the Reformation. Trent is clear on what the Church has always taught (before the Schism, of course) - that we can do nothing good without God's graces.

Catechumens must spend at least six months, usually a year or more in regular, weekly sessions with the priest where they learn about the Faith through reading of the Fathers and study of the writings of great, almost always monastic, spiritual fathers. They are of course expected to attend the Divine Liturgy on Sundays.

Our course work revolves around the Catechism and Scripture, as the Catechism is a good synthesis of what we believe. We don't have them go to Mass with us for awhile yet, and they don't stay for the Eucharist until Easter Vigil. This is based on the ancient tradition that catechumens were not to experience the mysteries until prepared. Then, we will have a few mystagogy classes that describe what is happening during the sacraments. Our parish is about 2800 families, so it is large, I think. I would prefer a smaller community, but hey, what can we say? We, too, have great parties. I think that is a Catholic/Orthodox trademark - God created all things good, to be used and enjoyed - in moderation.

I like Cyril of Jerusalem, I have read some of his works on Catechesis. I haven't read Athanasius on the Incarnation, but I want to (too much to read!). Occasionally, I read Chrysostom on Sundays, as I have the "Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers" collection, and he is prominent, of course. I have a Maximus the Confessor book that I will get to SOME day! I try to read a spiritual book along with theology. Currently reading Henry Suso, a German monk of the 1200's. I agree that teaching, though, is only a small part of the process. That is why I personally stress the relationship of the sponsor to the catechumen. We really try to get the sponsors to do a lot of stuff with them, rather than just showing up for the rituals.

Well, got to go. We are having a party after Mass for our patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi, so I got some work over there to do today - and some partying!

Take care,

Brother in Christ

[Kolokotronis]

"I think the Church does teach that the OT prophets are in heaven and had special relationships with God, as God had foreknowledge that His Son would die on the cross and bring about the recapitulation and atonement of man."

Well, of course they are with God. The Church in the East regularly celebrates the feast days of the major figures of the OT. But they were not with God until Christ shattered the gates of Hell and destroyed the power of Death over them. Again, the Icon of the Resurrection is a great didactic device among other things.

"You mention icons. I have one here at home, a small one of Jesus the Pantocrator on wood. How can I use these icons, though, for teaching? I use it for prayer. Where can I get quality images of other icons? Thanks in advance."

Check your Freepmail!

[Revelation 911]

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar; and a heretic is just a heretic.

and a one note wonder is a one note wonder.....

for the sake of everyone here - would anyone care to identify the pelagian churches of today instead of buggy whipping some old dead guy

[Gamecock]

The fact that recent polls indicate that 77% of the evangelicals today believe that human beings are basically good and 84% of these conservative Protestants believe that in salvation "God helps those who help themselves"

While there may not be a First Pelagian Church in every town in America, it certainly appears that Pelagian thought has crept into the Doctrine of the American Church.

[Revelation 911]

it certainly appears that Pelagian thought has crept into the Doctrine of the American Church.

which "American Church"?

[xzins]

Pelagianism is that we save ourselves.

Someone needs to save the Gamecocks from themselves....what was that meltdown all about!

They definitely needed a bit more grace (and poise, balance, defense, offense, etc....)

The First Church of the Weekend Football DOES believe in "Pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps."

And, to be honest with you...those arminians who've not dealt honestly with God's absolute foreknowledge probably are bumping up against the church version of the same.

[Revelation 911]

77% of the evangelicals today believe that human beings are basically good and 84%

Im considered an "evangelical" (by todays definition) and I consider everyone who has not repented "dead" in thier trespass

of these conservative Protestants believe that in salvation "God helps those who help themselves"

Matthew 7:8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

while it's incomplete doctrine, the argument could be made that "asking" is "helping themselves".....when in actuality, you and i know - and with a complete reading and understandinof the verse that it is God who transforms

I think pelagianism occurs naturally in the new believers walk until they can comprehend the mechanism of grace

The heresy is continuing in the path of man- centeredness, be it humanism, or universalism and ignoring the component of grace in the conversion/salvation equation

[Revelation 911]

those arminians who've not dealt honestly with God's absolute foreknowledge probably are bumping up against the church version of the same.

bingo

[Corin Stormhands]

Someone needs to save the Gamecocks from themselves....what was that meltdown all about!

Not that I'm bragging, but all three of my teams won this weekend. Son's HS team, Virginia Tech (the couches are safe) and the Redskins.

And, add to that this morning's flu shot, and the fact that we have an election in five weeks, and that's about as deep as I'm gonna get this morning.

[Gamecock]

The American Church

[Gamecock]

Im considered an "evangelical" (by todays definition) and I consider everyone who has not repented "dead" in thier trespass

GOOD! You're in the minority!

[Gamecock]

Didn't I read someplace that Michael Horton teaches a false gospel?

Didn't I read someplace that Greg Laurie teaches a false gospel?

[Colin MacTavish]

I'm reading at the request of my Calvinist friends, Horton's book. I find it to be interesting and much better than I thought I would find it.

It is certainly easier to read than the pathetic crap that goes on in this forum.

Colin.

[topcat54]

Didn't I read someplace that Michael Horton teaches a false gospel?

Do the Desperation Tango ...

[P-Marlowe]

It is certainly easier to read than the pathetic crap that goes on in this forum.

Maybe you should leave.