Pelagianism in the Ninth Century

Abstract A predestination controversy in the ninth century revived interest in Pelagianism. Despite the fact that no one involved in that controversy evidenced any first-hand acquaintance with the writings of Pelagius or of his initial supporters, everyone nevertheless seemed quite sure their opponents were Pelagians. As the controversy grew to include more and more voices, it became clear that the definition of Pelagianism needed to expand to include the ever-wider range of positions. To Gottschalk and his supporters, Pelagianism came to mean any position that incorporated any amount of free choice, including those positions that suggested it cooperated with grace in bringing about salvation. To Gottschalk’s opponents, Pelagianism meant any position that substituted the priority of a decision by God of predestination for the priority of grace in salvation.