Pelagianism is the basis for Arminianism. Pelagianism is also the
basis for humanism. Austin Cline, an atheist states of Pelagianism,
"Pelagius may have
been condemned and persecuted for his views, but they never entirely died. The
idea that we can choose to do what is right is an essential part of humanism
and could have been an essential part of Christianity. Their loss is our
gain."[1]
In other words, Pelagius teaching against the doctrine of original sin is a
gain to the atheism. Romans 3:10, 11, 23 and many other Scriptures prove
Pelagianism to be pure heresy. We are sinners by nature and sinners by
choice. Psalms 51:5, Ephesians 2:5
Pelagius “denied original sin, the doctrine that we have inherited a
sinful nature from Adam.”[2] The Bible teaches that when Adam died we all
died. Romans 5:12. Pelagius “taught that people can choose God by the exercise
of their free will and rational thought.”[3] This denies the total depravity of man. Before we are saved, we are dead in our
trespasses and sins. A dead person is
not able to anything and therefore not capable of “rational thought.” Our thought life prior to salvation is carnal
and centered upon this sinful world. Our
wills are in bondage to sin. “Whatsoever
is not of faith is sin.” Romans 4:23b. Prior to salvation we do not have the gift of
faith, so everything we do prior to salvation including think is enslaved to
sin. Romans 6:16, we are totally unable
to please God or choose Him without Divine help. Hebrews 11:6, Romans 7:14. Our ability to choose comes only after
salvation not before. Prior to salvation
our wills are in total bondage to sin.
Romans 7, John 15:5. Without God
we are unable to choose Him. He gives us
the faith needed to believe.
Arminianism teaches
that man has a free will just as did Pelagianism; both of course are complete
heresies. As was shown earlier, we do
not have a free will prior to salvation.
Our wills are in bondage to our sinful natures. Arminianism denies the doctrine of Total
Depravity or Original Sin just as did Pelagianism, proving Arminianism is a
heresy. Pelagius opposed Augustine’s
teachings on the Sovereignty of God.
Arminius opposed Calvin’s teachings on the Sovereignty of God. Both Pelagius and Arminius tried to elevate
man and bring down God. They remade God
into the image of man. Both Pelagius and
Arminius made salvation hinge on man, whereas the truth is salvation hinges on
God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who draws us to salvation by the Holy Spirit
according to the will of God the Father.
Since, Arminius held
some of the same views as the heretic Pelagius, Arminius is also a
heretic. Those who are pure Arminians
deny the truth of God’s Word and make salvation hinge on man. Wide is the path to destruction, but narrow
is the gate to life everlasting.
Pelagians and their current followers the Arminians are following the
wide path, by not entering in at the narrow gate. Humanism goes against the truth of God’s Word
and must not be tolerated. We are
totally depraved, dead in our sins prior to salvation. Only God can save us, we can not save
ourselves. We should reprove those in
error and pray that God through His Holy Spirit will enlighten their hearts to
the truth of His glorious Gospel. We,
also, must teach the truth and oppose these false heretical doctrines.