Semipelagianism

Semi-Pelagianism was in the 5/6 Century, especially in southern Gaul widespread theological teaching direction, which is close to Pelagianism, however, sought to distinguish their statements from the already condemned by the Council of Ephesus Pelagianism of Julian of Eclanum. This movement was triggered by the harsh condemnation of Pelagianism by Augustine, through whose ideas about sin and grace, in particular, members of monastic - ascetic communities felt attacked. Main representative was the monk John Cassian at Marseilles. In the 13th book of his conversations with the fathers he brought his differing from its predestination and grace teaching beliefs before that of Augustine 428/429 in two fonts - praedestinatione De sanctorum (MPL 44, 959-992 ) and De dono perseverantiae (MPL 45, 993-1034) - were fought. It emphasizes Augustine that not only faith is itself a gift of grace from the beginning of God but also the persistence in faith.

The semi-Pelagian controversy continued for the following decades and was only completed 529 at the Synod of Orange (Orange on the Rhone ) with a condemnation of semi-Pelagianism. The decisions of the Arausicanum were confirmed by Pope Boniface II and rejected both Pelagianism as semi-Pelagianism in the spirit of the Augustinian doctrines of sin and grace. The free will is weakened by original sin, so that the man of God can be neither love nor believe in him still do something good for his sake. Also the insistence of faith is grace. The idea of ​​a double predestination, however ( the one to salvation, the other to damnation ) has been rejected by the Synod.