The teachings of the heretic Pelagius are listed below. Some of the points influence free-willer theology.
I have used boldness to define the points that are definitely in error.
Can you identify others?
1 - I would not divide out God's attributes and assign levels of importance to them
3 - This is a declaration that original sin is a false doctrine
4 - The claim is that man is not corrupted by the Fall which is a false claim
5 - Unsaved man is a slave to sin
7 - There is no one who sins, no, not one, according to Romans 3
10 - Romans 5 refutes this
12 - Adam was the "First Adam" and represents all those born of the flesh. His sin is imputed to all mankind per Romans 5, and condemnation results.
14 - The claim that God's grace isn't necessary for salvation is ludicrous. Fallen mankind needs to be born again according to Jesus in John 3
15 - I have no idea what he's talking about on this one but it's obvious that no man is sinless
17 - I believe this is a denial of substitutionary atonement, and a support of the moral example view of the atonement, claiming that Jesus didn't die
for sins but actually died as a moral example
18 - Grace is unmerited favor, and is not merited
Realize that the general overtone of "free-willer theology" relies on some of these points for their presuppositions. This type of thinking was the core of Charles Finney's teachings, and unfortunately this has affected all kinds of professing Christian organizations.
PS - For younger folks, I am referring to "kool aid" due to Jonestown and Jim Jones, who led a cult which ended by all its' members drinking poisoned kool-aid in a mass suicide in 1978. Since this happened in 1978, perhaps some won't realize the allusion.
They may not be full-bore Pelagians, but the presuppositions have affected their thinking.
I have used boldness to define the points that are definitely in error.
Can you identify others?
1. God’s highest attributes are his righteousness and justice.
2. Everything God creates is good.
3. As created, nature cannot be changed essentially.
4. Human nature is indestructibly good.
5. Evil is an act that we can avoid.
6. Sin comes via Satanic snares and sensuous lust.
7. There can be sinless men.
8. Adam was created with free will and natural holiness.
9. Adam sinned through free will.
10. Adam’s progeny did not inherit from him natural death.
11. Neither Adam’s sin nor his guilt was transmitted.
12. All men are created as Adam was before the fall.
13. The habit of sinning weakens the will.
14. The grace of God facilitates goodness but is not necessary to achieve it.
15. The grace of creation yields perfect men.
16. The grace of God’s law illumines and instructs.
17. Christ works chiefly by his example.
18. Grace is given according to justice and merit.
2. Everything God creates is good.
3. As created, nature cannot be changed essentially.
4. Human nature is indestructibly good.
5. Evil is an act that we can avoid.
6. Sin comes via Satanic snares and sensuous lust.
7. There can be sinless men.
8. Adam was created with free will and natural holiness.
9. Adam sinned through free will.
10. Adam’s progeny did not inherit from him natural death.
11. Neither Adam’s sin nor his guilt was transmitted.
12. All men are created as Adam was before the fall.
13. The habit of sinning weakens the will.
14. The grace of God facilitates goodness but is not necessary to achieve it.
15. The grace of creation yields perfect men.
16. The grace of God’s law illumines and instructs.
17. Christ works chiefly by his example.
18. Grace is given according to justice and merit.
1 - I would not divide out God's attributes and assign levels of importance to them
3 - This is a declaration that original sin is a false doctrine
4 - The claim is that man is not corrupted by the Fall which is a false claim
5 - Unsaved man is a slave to sin
7 - There is no one who sins, no, not one, according to Romans 3
10 - Romans 5 refutes this
12 - Adam was the "First Adam" and represents all those born of the flesh. His sin is imputed to all mankind per Romans 5, and condemnation results.
14 - The claim that God's grace isn't necessary for salvation is ludicrous. Fallen mankind needs to be born again according to Jesus in John 3
15 - I have no idea what he's talking about on this one but it's obvious that no man is sinless
17 - I believe this is a denial of substitutionary atonement, and a support of the moral example view of the atonement, claiming that Jesus didn't die
for sins but actually died as a moral example
18 - Grace is unmerited favor, and is not merited
Realize that the general overtone of "free-willer theology" relies on some of these points for their presuppositions. This type of thinking was the core of Charles Finney's teachings, and unfortunately this has affected all kinds of professing Christian organizations.
PS - For younger folks, I am referring to "kool aid" due to Jonestown and Jim Jones, who led a cult which ended by all its' members drinking poisoned kool-aid in a mass suicide in 1978. Since this happened in 1978, perhaps some won't realize the allusion.
They may not be full-bore Pelagians, but the presuppositions have affected their thinking.
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