Pelagius
4th-century theologian, namesake of Pelagianism · Academics · Lived 354 to 420 · aged 66
Pelagius is read about 359 times a day, in 42 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 16 September 2026
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Something wrong?A monk who told fourth-century Christians they could save themselves without divine grace - that human will was enough - and set off one of the sharpest theological fights in church history.
Also in Deutsch
Photos 6
In their own words 10
, Their faith alone will not profit them, because they have not done works of righteousness.
Unless a man has despised worldly things, he shall not receive those which are divine.
Let no man judge himself to be a Christian, unless he is one who both follows the teaching of Christ and imitates his example.
About this person
Pelagius arrived in Rome from somewhere in the British Isles, fluent in Latin and living as an ascetic. He taught that humans weren't born damned, that original sin didn't bind them, and that each person bore individual responsibility for choosing righteousness. Augustine of Hippo came down hard, attacking the idea that mankind's nature was good enough to choose salvation unaided. At the Synod of Diospolis in 415, Pelagius faced accusations of heresy. The Church labeled his system Pelagianism and rejected it, but the argument over freedom and grace never quite ended.
Academics born in the 350s 6
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