Did Pelagius believe in "faith alone"?
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The doctrine of "faith alone," or [*sola fide*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sola_fide) , teaches that people are justified only by their faith in Christ, not by any works they do. It was emphasized during the Protestant Reformation, where it was one of the marks distinguishing Protestants from Roman Catholics.
However, I found an interesting statement in Bruce Shelley's *Church History in Plain Language* that seems to indicate a much earlier origin. He describes the views of [Pelagius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelagius) (d. 418) as follows:
> God predestinates no one, except in the sense that he foresees who will believe and who will reject his gracious influences. His forgiveness comes to all who exercise "faith alone"; but, once forgiven, man has power of himself to live pleasing to God. ((https://books.google.com/books?id=RbfVAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA138))
Of course, Pelagius's views on sin differed significantly from those of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation and most modern Protestants. As a result, his doctrine of "faith alone," if it exists, will likely differ in particulars from that of Protestants. So I'd like to know:
- Did Pelagius believe in a doctrine called "faith alone" or one bearing resemblance to the Protestant doctrine?
- That is, did he believe that faith without works caused someone to be saved?
- If yes, what are the main ways in which his view differed from that of Protestant leaders like Luther and Calvin?
Asked by Nathaniel is protesting
(42928 rep)
May 9, 2016, 05:24 PM
Last activity: Oct 1, 2016, 11:31 AM
Last activity: Oct 1, 2016, 11:31 AM