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Comparisons of Grace Theology

Our subject is that of the doctrine of grace and how three prominent religious

figures; Pelagius, Augustine and Martin Luther, would have differed and agreed in

their teachings on the matter. We will for comparison sake discuss two basic topics:

the nature of sin and the nature of grace and how each of our characters would view

these topics.

The nature of sin should be our jumping off point because without first

acknowledging that sin is present within humanity there is no need of grace.

Augustine would posit that sin was common to all humanity. That we are sinners

because of the fall at Eden and that the sin nature has been passed from Adam to all

generations. Thus, he would see sin much like a cancer that had attached itself to

humanity but the grace of God could diagnose and cure that cancer.

Pelagius would, in my opinion, take a much harsher view of the human

condition. He, unlike Augustine, would teach that man is not born with a fallen nature

but a sinless nature. This would mean that man would then be obligated to continue to

live a sinless life. Thus, sin could only come to a man by deliberate and willful acts

against God. This idea has serious soteriological implications. First, if man is sinless

then what was the purpose of Jesus’ passion? Secondly, if man is without sin then are

we not equal with God in that He is without sin? Lastly, if man is sinless then why is

there so much evil in the world? After all if we are sinless we should naturally follow

the proper moral path in all situation. We know this is not true by simple experience.

Luther would, for the most part, agree with Augustinian thought concerning

sin. He would see man as sinful by nature but that the grace of God would be the

answer to man’s sinful dilemma. However, I think Luther would have recognized that

sin and righteousness often live side by side in humanity. In other words man is
usually keenly aware of his sin and through this awareness can confess his sin and

would be counted righteous by God or as Luther stated, “They are sinners in fact, but

righteous in hope (McGrath A., p. 375).”

Augustine would present a case that because we are disabled by our own

sinful nature we are then in need of God’s grace. The term grace in Augustine’s mind

would be seen as a healing balm offered by God to man in order to restore their

broken relationship with Him. Pelagius on the other hand would define grace in a

much different way. He would not see grace as something supernaturally offered to

man but something offered to man as a moral guide. Pelagius cites examples of this

guidance in the Old Testament (i.e. The Ten Commandments). Grace to Pelagius

would be something that informs us of our moral duties but does not offer assistance

to achieve the duties (McGrath, 1998, p. 83).

Luther’s would see grace as the essential element received by faith (which in

Luther’s estimation is also a gift). In other words there is no human work that can be

done by the sinner that would demand God’s justification. God gives the gift of faith

to the sinner and as he responds to that gift grace is given.

References

McGrath A. Christian Theology: A History of Christian Thought. Malden, MA:


Blackwell Publishing.

McGrath, A. E. (1998). Historical Theology. An Introduction to the History of


Christian Thought.. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.

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