Princeton theologian, B.B. Warfield, once wrote in his book The Plan of Salvation, "There are fundamentally only two doctrines of salvation: that salvation is from God, and that salvation is from ourselves. The former is the doctrine of common Christianity; the latter is the doctrine of universal heathenism."

Have you ever strolled down the aisle of your favorite Christian bookstore to see what's available to read? I recently went to a large one here in Oklahoma City to buy a book for a friend on his 40th birthday. I was disheartened to find that historical Christian theology books were limited to only a handful of books (less than two small shelves) in this mega-Christian book store. What I did find were rows of books telling me how "I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul."

It seems that Pelagianism has come back in the 21st Century for another visit.

So what is Pelagianism, and does it really matter that I know? Dr. Michael Horton has a great discussion on this topic in his 30-minute podcast on The White Horse Inn. I predict you'll come away convinced that Pelagianism has affected your view of Salvation more than you realize. You can click here to listen to it on-line.

In addition, Dr. Horton wrote a very good piece about Pelagianism, in the magazine Modern Reformation. if you are a better reader than listener, you can click here to read it.

Giving a brief history on the heresy, Dr. Horton writes:

First, this heresy originated with the first human couple, as we shall see soon. It was actually defined and labeled in the fifth century, when a British monk came to Rome. Immediately, Pelagius was deeply impressed with the immorality of this center of Christendom, and he set out to reform the morals of clergy and laity alike. This moral campaign required a great deal of energy and Pelagius found many supporters and admirers for his cause. The only thing that seemed to stand in his way was the emphasis that emanated particularly from the influential African bishop, Augustine. Augustine taught that human beings, because they are born in original sin, are incapable of saving themselves. Apart from God's grace, it is impossible for a person to obey or even to seek God. Representing the entire race, Adam sinned against God. This resulted in the total corruption of every human being since, so that our very wills are in bondage to our sinful condition. Only God's grace, which he bestows freely as he pleases upon his elect, is credited with the salvation of human beings.

In sharp contrast, Pelagius was driven by moral concerns and his theology was calculated to provide the most fuel for moral and social improvement. Augustine's emphasis on human helplessness and divine grace would surely paralyze the pursuit of moral improvement, since people could sin with impunity, fatalistically concluding, "I couldn't help it; I'm a sinner." So Pelagius countered by rejecting original sin. According to Pelagius, Adam was merely a bad example, not the father of our sinful condition-we are sinners because we sin-rather than vice versa. Consequently, of course, the Second Adam, Jesus Christ, was a good example. Salvation is a matter chiefly of following Christ instead of Adam, rather than being transferred from the condemnation and corruption of Adam's race and placed "in Christ," clothed in his righteousness and made alive by his gracious gift. What men and women need is moral direction, not a new birth; therefore, Pelagius saw salvation in purely naturalistic terms-the progress of human nature from sinful behavior to holy behavior, by following the example of Christ.

I don't know about you, but if my righteousness depends upon my human nature progressing from sinfulness to the required level of holy behavior (perfection), I'm sunk. However, if it depends on my faith in Jesus - who fulfilled the law and lived a perfectly holy life - and my trust that He'll impute His righteousness to me to cover my sins, then according to scripture, I'll be saved.

For the just shall live by faith...