How Do You Spell PELAGIAN?

Pronunciation: [pɛlˈe͡ɪd͡ʒən] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Pelagian" can be explained using the IPA phonetic transcription. Pelagian is pronounced as /peh-lay-jee-uhn/. The word originates from the name Pelagius, a British monk who was accused of heresy in the early fifth century. The Pelagian heresy denied the doctrine of original sin and held that humans could achieve salvation by their own efforts. To remember the correct spelling of Pelagian, one can use the phrase "Peh-lay-jee-uhn denies original sin."

PELAGIAN Meaning and Definition

1. Pelagian refers to a theological term used to describe the beliefs and teachings associated with Pelagius, a British monk and theologian from the 4th to 5th centuries. Pelagianism is a Christian heresy that centers around the doctrine of original sin, the nature of human free will, and the role of divine grace in salvation.

   According to Pelagianism, humans are born morally neutral and have the ability to choose between good and evil without being inherently inclined to sin. This belief contradicts the mainstream Christian understanding of original sin inherited from Adam and Eve, which posits that all humans are born sinful and in need of God's grace for salvation.

   Pelagians emphasize the importance of human effort and willpower in achieving salvation, rejecting the notion that divine grace is necessary for redemption. They argue that individuals can attain righteousness through moral living and good works, denying the need for divine intervention or predestination.

   The teachings of Pelagius and his followers faced strong opposition from prominent theologians, most notably Saint Augustine, who defended the concept of original sin and the necessity of divine grace. Consequently, Pelagianism was condemned as a heresy by several Church councils, including the Council of Carthage in 418.

   In contemporary usage, the term "Pelagian" can also be employed metaphorically to describe individuals or groups who overemphasize human autonomy and downplay the role of external factors or influences, particularly in relation to the moral or spiritual realm.

2. • A follower of Pelagius, a British monk, about A.D. 410, who taught the existence of absolute free-will and justification by good works, and who denied, among others, the doctrine of original sin.

   • Pert. to Pelagius, or to his doctrines.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for PELAGIAN

• pelagiaj
• Pelagiao

Etymology of PELAGIAN

The word "Pelagian" is derived from the name of the British monk Pelagius, who lived in the 4th and 5th centuries AD. Pelagius was a theologian who developed a controversial doctrine about the nature of sin, grace, and salvation. His teachings challenged the prevailing views of the Christian Church at that time.

The term "Pelagian" was initially used as a label by Pelagius' opponents to refer to those who embraced his teachings. It gradually evolved into a broader term used to describe a specific theological position, namely the denial of original sin, the belief in the ability of humans to achieve salvation through their own efforts, and the rejection of the need for divine grace.

Today, "Pelagian" is used more generally to describe anyone who holds similar theological views or has a belief in the inherent goodness and moral capability of human beings.