To: annalex
"I agree, and it is compatible with Catholicism, that divine grace sometimes operates in a secular or nondenominational setting, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, but this is not a justification for Pelagianism."
Yes, indeed it is justification of Pelagianism, I think that was the purpose of Haight's proof. The Westminister Dictionary of Christian Ethics defines the Pelagian theological tradition as asserting "that the human being as accountable must retain some freedom and power of action towards moral growth and that the function of grace, therefore, is educative and cooperative." (pg 255) If, as I understand it, you concede the possibility of the mediation of divine mercy within a community where one alcoholic helps another for no other purpose than to relieve another's suffering, you are outside the doctrine of the church and advocating a semi-Pelagian view.
To: spatso; annalex
Ar you sure you are not thinking of semipelagianism of St. John Cassian? That is pretty much what the Orthodox Church is based on.
7,976 posted on
06/07/2006 3:17:10 AM PDT by
kosta50
(Eastern Orthodoxy is pure Christianity)
To: spatso
"Semi-Pelagianism is something the Orthodox and the Catholics are sometimes accused of, but I think it is a semantical point. Grace pours on everyone, yes. If that is semi-pelagian, so be it, but it is not pelagian.
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