I took a day off (!?) today to read and write.
I have looked at the Pelagian controversy and had to write a closing letter in a debate which we will be having in 2 weeks time. I, and 2 friends, will be Augustine debating with 3 others who are Pelagius.

It’s an interesting argument where Pelagius believes that as we were made by God he gave us the ability not to sin and that our salvation all depends on how we achieve. We are under obligation to lead sinless lives!

Augustine on the other hand argued that although originally that was the case, since the fall we naturally fall into sin and can only be saved by the grace of God. He days if we consider a pair of balance scales, the scales are weighted onthe side of sin as this is where we will naturally go. We, says Augustine, continually need God’s help. So, salavtion is not earned, but is freely given!

I’m now thinking through the significance of this argument for today.
It’s another ‘what if …’
If the church had agreed with Pelagius we would be leading pretty austere and frightening lives. Churches would be full of people who believed they did not sin, and that no one else needed to. Surely this would result in congregations full of judgemental narrow minded people who could not see their own failings because of their interest in the failings of others. Those that did sin would not be welcome and if they complained of difficulties would have been pushed aside due to their ‘feeble excuses’ in the words of Pelagius.

People would not be real. They would pretend everything was alright.
I’m now wondering if Pelagianism has disappeared after all!

Anyway – back to thinking of it’s sgnificance for today!