Myth of Pelagianism
Myth of Pelagianism
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Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780197266397
Number of Pages: 362
Published: 13/09/2018
Width: 16.3 cm
Height: 24.2 cm
Pelagius, the first known British author, is famous for his defence of free will as the Roman Empire disintegrated. A persuasive advocate of two ideas - that human nature was inclined to goodness, and that man had free will - Pelagius was excommunicated in 418 after a campaign to vilify him for inventing a new and dangerous heresy. Setting this accusation of heresy against Pelagius in the context of recent scholarship, The Myth of Pelagianism proves that Pelagius did not teach the ideas attributed to him or propose anything new.
In showing that Pelagius defended what was the mainstream understanding of Christianity, Bonner explores the notion that rather than being the leader of a separatist group, he was one of many propagandists for the ascetic movement that swept through Christianity and generated medieval monasticism.
Ground-breaking in its interdisciplinarity and in its use of manuscript evidence, The Myth of Pelagianism presents a significant revision of our understanding of Pelagius and of the formation of Christian doctrine.
- Introduction
- 1: The Caricature of Pelagius' Teaching, and its Disjunction from the Reality of Texts Written by Pelagius
- 2: Pelagius did not Invent Anything: All of the Teachings in his Writings had Already Been Widely Disseminated in Ascetic Paraenesis - Part 1
- 3: Pelagius did not Invent Anything: All of the Teachings in his Writings had Already Been Widely Disseminated in Ascetic Paraenesis - Part 2
- 4: No Organised Movement Existed, and No One Held this Collection of Views
- 5: Systemic Problems of Definition and Classification
- 6: The Invention of 'Pelagianism': Motive and Means
- 7: The Manuscript Evidence and its Implications
- Conclusion
- Index
In the years to come, Bonner's work will serve as a reference point in the debates about the Pelagian controversy and this reviewer is looking forward to the reactions of experts in the field of Augustinian studies, for the Augustine as presented here might be questioned by them. This too is a reason to be grateful to Bonner and her outspoken positions. * Mathijs Lamberigts, Early Medieval Europe * ...this study offers important and valuable new impulses and perspectives, and can therefore be recommended as a substantial contribution to the study of Pelagius and his works and thought. * Josef Loessl, Cardiff University, Journal of Ecclesiastical History * The Myth of Pelagianism is an impressive and provocative book that will become required reading for historians, theologians, and classicists studying the late fourth and fifth centuries. Ali Bonner is to be commended for her initiative and command of the sources. In short, highly recommended. * Christopher M. Blunda, Assistant Professor of history at the Virginia Military Institute, Reading Religion *
