Pelagius: Difference between revisions

'''Pelagius''' ({{circa|AD&nbsp;360}}&nbsp;– 360–418 AD418) was a [[theologian]] of British origin who advocated [[free will]] and [[asceticism]].<ref name=DNB>{{cite encyclopedia |first=Gerald |last = Bonner|authorlink=| publisher = Oxford University Press | encyclopedia= Oxford Dictionary of National Biography | title= Pelagius (fl. c.390–418), theologian| year = 2004 | url = http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/21784?docPos=1| accessdate=28 October 2012 |doi= 10.1093/ref:odnb/21784 }} {{ODNBsub}}</ref> He was accused by [[Augustine of Hippo]] and others of denying the need for divine aid in performing [[good works]]. They understood him to have said that the only grace necessary was the declaration of the law; humans were not wounded by Adam's sin and were perfectly able to fulfill the law without divine aid. Pelagius denied Augustine's theory of [[original sin]]. His adherents cited [[Book of Deuteronomy|Deuteronomy]] 24:16 in support of their position. Pelagius was declared a [[heresy|heretic]] by the [[Council of Carthage (418)]]. His interpretation of a doctrine of free will became known as [[Pelagianism]].