Explanation: This statement contradicts the fundamental tenets of Pelagianism. Pelagius maintained that human nature is not inherently corrupted by original sin and that individuals possess the free will and capacity to perform good deeds, with divine grace serving as an external aid rather than an indispensable internal necessity.

Explanation: This accurately reflects Pelagius's position. He argued against the inherited guilt of Adam's sin, positing that infants enter the world in the same state of innocence as Adam before the Fall, possessing free will and moral accountability from birth.

Explanation: Pelagius posited that Adam's transgression introduced mortality and provided a negative example, but it did not corrupt human nature itself or transmit original sin to his descendants. Infants, therefore, were born without this inherited corruption.

Explanation: Pelagius acknowledged divine grace but primarily conceptualized it as external aids, such as God's law, revelation, and the example of Christ, rather than an internal, irresistible force essential for salvation. His emphasis remained on human capacity and free will.

Explanation: Contrary to this statement, Pelagius believed that it was theoretically possible, though rare, for individuals to live sinless lives through the diligent exercise of their free will and adherence to divine commandments.

Explanation: Pelagius rejected the necessity of infant baptism for cleansing original sin, as he did not subscribe to the doctrine of original sin. However, he did support infant baptism as a means to enhance spiritual development through union with Christ.

Explanation: Pelagius placed significant emphasis on the importance of good works and the active pursuit of virtue as integral components of Christian life. He believed that Christians were obligated to strive for perfection through their actions.

Explanation: Pelagius maintained that while Christ was the ultimate example, other individuals, including prophets and even some pagans, had also achieved sinless lives through their own efforts and free will. This contrasted with Augustine's view that only Christ was sinless.

Explanation: Pelagianism primarily attributed the problem of evil and human suffering to the exercise of libertarian free will, which was considered a sufficient good to justify its existence. This perspective questioned the necessity of Christ's atonement for inherited sin.

Explanation: This statement describes Augustinianism, not Pelagianism. Pelagianism emphasized human free will and the capacity to achieve salvation through virtuous actions and adherence to divine law, viewing grace as an external aid rather than the sole determinant of salvation.

Explanation: Pelagius argued that sin was not an inevitable consequence of human nature but rather the result of deliberate free choice and the formation of bad habits. He believed that if sin were inevitable, it could not truly be considered sin.

Explanation: Pelagius did not view death as a direct punishment for Adam's sin. He posited that Adam's transgression introduced mortality and provided a negative example, but death itself was not necessarily a consequence of inherited sin. He also taught that the fear of death could be overcome by devout Christians.

Explanation: A core element of Pelagian theology was its rejection of predestination, which it viewed as incompatible with human free will and moral responsibility. This stance stood in direct opposition to Augustine's strong affirmation of divine election.

Explanation: Pelagius argued that God's commandments must be fulfillable by humans. He believed that through free will and diligent effort, individuals could indeed keep God's commands, rendering extraordinary divine intervention unnecessary for obedience.

Explanation: This option accurately encapsulates Pelagius's core assertion: that the Fall did not fundamentally corrupt human nature, thereby preserving free will and the capacity for individuals to achieve moral perfection through their own volitional efforts, aided by divine revelation and example.

Explanation: Pelagius contended that Adam's transgression primarily resulted in mortality and served as a detrimental precedent, rather than corrupting human nature itself or transmitting original sin to subsequent generations.

Explanation: Pelagius viewed divine grace primarily as external assistance—comprising God's law, divine revelation, and the exemplary life of Jesus Christ—which illuminated the path to righteousness but did not compel or guarantee salvation independently of human volition.

Explanation: Pelagius maintained that human beings, endowed with free will, possessed the capacity to live without sin. While acknowledging its difficulty and rarity, he asserted that sinlessness was an achievable state through consistent moral choice and effort.

Explanation: Pelagius rejected original sin on grounds of justice, arguing that it was inequitable to impute Adam's sin to his descendants, thereby holding individuals accountable for transgressions not their own. He emphasized personal responsibility for one's actions.

Explanation: Pelagius strongly advocated for the essential role of good works in Christian life. He believed that all Christians, regardless of their station, were called to actively pursue virtue and strive for perfection through their actions.

Explanation: While Pelagius rejected the notion that infant baptism was necessary to cleanse original sin (as he denied original sin), he did endorse the practice as a means to foster spiritual growth and a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

Explanation: Pelagianism posited that evil and suffering arose from the exercise of libertarian free will, an inherent good bestowed by God. This perspective implied that the existence of evil was a necessary byproduct of freedom, rather than an inherent corruption of nature.

Explanation: Pelagius posited that sin was not an inherent condition of human nature but rather the outcome of conscious, volitional choices and the cultivation of detrimental habits. He argued that if sin were inevitable, it would undermine the concept of moral responsibility.

Explanation: Pelagius considered both the Old Testament Law and the New Testament revelation as essential guides for human conduct. He believed they provided the necessary framework and instruction for individuals to understand and pursue righteous living through their own efforts.

Explanation: From the Pelagian perspective, God's judgment was inherently just because humans were understood to possess absolute free will and were therefore fully accountable for their choices. Actions and their consequences, including punishment, were seen as deserved outcomes of individual responsibility.

Explanation: Pelagius's emphasis on human capacity, rational discernment, and the pursuit of virtue through personal effort shows an alignment with classical philosophical traditions that valued personal autonomy and the potential for moral self-improvement.

Explanation: While Pelagius acknowledged Christ's atoning sacrifice and the significance of baptism, his primary emphasis was on Christ's role as the ultimate exemplar of a sinless life, demonstrating the possibility of human perfection and providing a moral guide for believers to follow through their own efforts.

Explanation: Augustine of Hippo was, in fact, the most prominent opponent of Pelagianism. He strongly advocated for the doctrine of original sin and the absolute necessity of divine grace for salvation, contrasting sharply with Pelagius's emphasis on human free will and capacity.

Explanation: Jerome was a prominent opponent of Pelagianism. He authored significant polemical works, such as 'Dialogus adversus Pelagianos' (Dialogue Against the Pelagians), in direct opposition to Pelagian doctrines.

Explanation: Caelestius, a principal disciple of Pelagius, advanced arguments such as Adam being created mortal, which served to further dissociate the consequences of the Fall from an inherited, corrupting sin passed down through generations.

Explanation: Augustine's criticism was precisely the opposite: he argued that Pelagius's concept of virtue was too focused on human effort and intellect ('Ciceronian'), potentially downplaying the indispensable role of divine grace.

Explanation: Pelagius's *Commentary on Romans* was noted for its adherence to the Greek tradition of interpreting Paul's epistles, which was seen as a strength by some, but it became a key text in the controversy, not primarily criticized for this adherence.

Explanation: Pelagius is identified as an ascetic theologian originating from the British Isles, active during the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD. His teachings challenged prevailing views on original sin and divine grace.

Explanation: Jerome, renowned for his biblical scholarship and translation of the Vulgate, was a staunch opponent of Pelagianism. He authored significant polemical works, such as 'Dialogus adversus Pelagianos,' directly challenging Pelagian doctrines.

Explanation: Caelestius was a prominent follower and proponent of Pelagianism, not an opponent. Augustine, Jerome, and Orosius were all significant figures who actively opposed Pelagian doctrines.

Explanation: By characterizing Pelagian virtue as 'Ciceronian,' Augustine implied that it relied too heavily on classical philosophical ideals of human reason and self-sufficiency, potentially neglecting the indispensable role of divine grace in achieving true Christian virtue and salvation.

Explanation: Pelagius's *Commentary on Romans* was a significant work that circulated widely, often under pseudonyms. It was noted for its engagement with the Greek exegetical tradition concerning Paul's epistles and became a central text in the theological controversies surrounding his teachings.

Explanation: Caelestius was a principal disciple and ardent proponent of Pelagius's teachings. He was instrumental in disseminating these ideas and was himself condemned by church councils for his theological positions, particularly concerning original sin.

Explanation: Semi-Pelagianism represents a theological position that emerged later, acknowledging the condemnation of Pelagianism but retaining a stronger emphasis on human free will in initiating salvation than Augustine's doctrines allowed. It did not fully embrace Pelagius's original teachings.

Explanation: Indeed, Pelagius's emphasis on human capacity and free will resonated more closely with the generally more optimistic views of human nature prevalent in Eastern Christian theological traditions, which contrasted with the developing Western emphasis on original sin and divine sovereignty.

Explanation: The 'Judaizing' accusation arose because Pelagianism's focus on human choice, adherence to law, and the capacity for righteousness bore resemblances to certain aspects of Jewish theology, rather than its emphasis on predestination, which was a core Augustinian doctrine Pelagius rejected.

Explanation: This accurately captures the central divergence. Pelagianism championed human capacity and free will for achieving righteousness, whereas Augustine stressed humanity's fallen state and absolute dependence on God's unmerited grace for salvation.

Explanation: The primary theological dispute between Pelagius and Augustine revolved around the nature and consequences of original sin, and consequently, the role and necessity of divine grace in achieving salvation. Augustine emphasized inherited sin and prevenient grace, while Pelagius stressed human capacity and free will.

Explanation: Semi-Pelagianism emerged as a distinct theological stance that, while acknowledging the condemnation of Pelagianism, sought a middle ground by affirming a greater role for human free will in initiating salvation compared to the strict Augustinian view of predestination and irresistible grace.

Explanation: Pelagius's emphasis on human capacity, free will, and the inherent goodness of creation aligned more closely with the theological perspectives generally found in Eastern Christianity, which tended to hold a more optimistic view of human nature compared to the developing Augustinian emphasis on original sin in the West.

Explanation: The accusation of 'Judaizing' was leveled against Pelagianism due to its strong emphasis on human capacity to follow divine law through free will, a characteristic perceived by its critics as more aligned with certain interpretations of Jewish theology than with the prevailing Christian understanding of grace and inherited sin.

Explanation: The fundamental divergence lies in their understanding of salvation: Pelagianism posits that salvation is achieved through human volitional effort, merit, and adherence to divine law, with grace as an external aid. Augustinianism, conversely, asserts that salvation is solely the product of God's sovereign, unmerited grace, bestowed irrespective of human merit due to humanity's fallen state.

Explanation: Pelagianism's emphasis on human free will and responsibility directly opposed Augustine's robust doctrine of predestination, which asserted God's sovereign election of individuals for salvation, independent of human merit or choice.

Explanation: Pelagianism fundamentally challenged the doctrine of original sin, which was a cornerstone of Augustinian theology. By denying the inherited corruption of human nature, Pelagius undermined the Augustinian premise for the necessity of divine grace and predestination.

Explanation: The Council of Carthage in 418 AD issued condemnations against Pelagian doctrines, marking a significant moment in the formal rejection of Pelagianism as heretical within Western Christianity.

Explanation: Pelagianism arose during the 4th and 5th centuries, a period of rapid Christianization following the Constantinian shift. Concerns about nominal adherence and a perceived need to re-emphasize moral rigor and personal responsibility likely contributed to Pelagius's theological positions.

Explanation: Caelestius was indeed condemned by a council held in Carthage in 411 AD due to his theological views, which were closely aligned with those of Pelagius, particularly concerning original sin and grace.

Explanation: The intense theological debates spurred by Pelagianism were instrumental in the definitive establishment and articulation of the doctrine of original sin and the necessity of divine grace within Western Christian orthodoxy.

Explanation: At the Synod of Diospolis in 415 AD, Pelagius was indeed acquitted. This occurred after he disavowed certain doctrines attributed to him and Caelestius, though this outcome was later contested by Augustine and his supporters.

Explanation: The Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, while primarily addressing Christological issues, also saw condemnations that implicitly or explicitly linked Pelagian theological errors with Nestorianism, further solidifying the rejection of Pelagianism.

Explanation: While various synods addressed Pelagianism, the Council of Carthage in 418 AD issued significant condemnations that formally classified Pelagian doctrines as heretical within the Western Church.

Explanation: The emergence of Pelagianism is often contextualized within the significant societal and religious transformations occurring after Emperor Constantine's conversion and the Edict of Milan. This period saw Christianity move from a persecuted minority to a favored religion, leading to concerns about nominalism and a perceived need for renewed emphasis on moral discipline.

Explanation: At the Synod of Diospolis, Pelagius presented a statement of faith and disavowed certain doctrines associated with him and Caelestius. This led to his acquittal by the synod, although this decision was later challenged and overturned by papal pronouncements and subsequent councils.

Explanation: Contemporary scholarly assessment suggests that Pelagius's doctrines were not entirely novel but shared similarities with other theological viewpoints of his era, particularly within the Greek tradition. This has led to nuanced discussions regarding the historical context and severity of his condemnation.

Explanation: Indeed, Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and John Milton drew upon or engaged with ideas resonant with Pelagianism, particularly concerning human reason, autonomy, and the capacity for self-improvement, influencing subsequent philosophical and theological discourse.

Explanation: Contemporary scholarly analysis indicates that Pelagius's theological positions were not entirely unprecedented but shared commonalities with other theologians of his time, particularly within the Eastern (Greek-speaking) Christian tradition, suggesting a more complex intellectual landscape than previously assumed.

Explanation: Thinkers such as John Milton and John Locke, prominent figures in the early modern period, engaged with concepts that resonated with Pelagianism, particularly their emphasis on human reason, autonomy, and the capacity for self-improvement, which influenced subsequent philosophical and political thought.

Explanation: Following its formal condemnation by church councils and papal decrees, Pelagianism was officially rejected and ceased to exist as a recognized or viable theological movement within the Western Church, although its underlying ideas have periodically resurfaced in various forms.