Definition of semi-Pelagian in English:
semi-Pelagian
adjectiveˌsɛmɪpɪˈleɪdʒɪən
Christian Theology Denoting the doctrine that the first steps towards good can be taken by the human will, though supervening divine grace is needed for salvation. It was (questionably) attributed to John Cassian (d.435), and was generally held to be heretical.
See also Pelagius
Example sentencesExamples
- For example, there is widespread use in mission of semi-Pelagian methods of bringing people into the churches.
- It means it doesn't matter whether the priest is in sin or not, a heretic or not, or semi-Pelagian, or whatever it is, it doesn't really matter so long as he's ordained, if he says the words, then the power is there, the grace flows.
- We turn our attention first of all to the Semi-Pelagian controversy that occupied so much of the attention of the great church father, Augustine.
nounˌsɛmɪpɪˈleɪdʒɪən
Christian Theology An adherent of the semi-Pelagian doctrine.
Example sentencesExamples
- Semi-Pelagians believe that the Fall in the Garden did affect all of Adams progeny, but not fully.
- Although Augustine had outlined his basic position in the Pelagian controversy, the attacks of the so-called Semi-Pelagians forced him to define more sharply and defend more carefully his views.
Derivatives
noun
Christian Theology There is an implicit semi-Pelagianism to the argument.
Example sentencesExamples
- The downside is that it is often a semi-Pelagianism: you are ‘really a Christian’ if you achieve a particular emotional state and use a particular jargon acceptable to Evangelicals.
- The label gained further notoriety when in the late sixteenth century a Spanish theologian coined the term ‘semi-Pelagianism’ in a vain effort to stifle the burgeoning moral theology of the Jesuits.