Pelagianism

British  

/ pɛˈleɪdʒɪəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. Christianity a heretical doctrine, first formulated by Pelagius, that rejected the concept of original sin and maintained that the individual takes the initial steps towards salvation by his own efforts and not by the help of divine grace

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Example Sentences

The 16th century Council of Trent re-endorsed Augustine's attack on Pelagianism for the Counter-Reformation Catholic Church.

From Time Magazine Archive

Pelagius made many converts to his more optimistic doctrine; but after years of vigorous controversy between him and Augustine, the Church decided that Pelagianism was heresy.

From Time Magazine Archive

Put in secular terms, the Pelagianism of America means an unshakable faith in the righteousness of the U.S.

From Time Magazine Archive

Heresy or not, Pelagianism was a good deal easier to live with.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the North of the dismembered Empire, the Britons had first been infected by Pelagianism, and now were dispossessed by the heathen Saxons.

From An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine by Newman, John Henry Cardinal