Semi-Pelagianism vs. Semi-Augustinianism

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Jack_245814

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I’ve often heard that the Eastern churches - including the Eastern Catholic churches - can be described as Semi-Pelagian, while the Western Church is Augustinian (or maybe more accurately Semi-Augustinian since we believe in free-will).

Two questions:
1.) In what way are the Eastern churches Pelagian? I get a vague sense that they have a more benign view of human nature and the power of free-will than us Romans do, but I’m not sure if this is just a difference of emphasis or an actual theological disagreement. What exactly is their view on the questions where Augustine and Pelagius disagreed? And, if it’s a view condemned by the Council of Orange (which it might not be), why are the Eastern Catholic churches in union with Rome? Is it a matter of “tradition” versus “Tradition”, as it were, where we’re in disagreement over some theological points but in agreement on the content of Sacred Tradition, or is it something else?

2.) In what way are the Western churches Augustinian? I’ve heard that Augustine taught predestination, but that the West never really accepted this view (until the Calvinists came along); after all, while a genius, I don’t think anybody’s called him infallible ;). That said, where do we stand in relation to his theology? Do we believe that all good actions require the grace of God? Etc.
 
Come on, I just know this could start an interesting discussion 😃
 
The conversations I have had with Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholic priests do indicate that the Eastern churches have a “better” view of human nature and thus free will than the Augustinian / Platonist view of the Western church in general. As a Tiber wading Lutheran I can say that Luther was a thorough Augustinian, after all he was an Augustinian monk.
Calvin took that view along with a generally Platonist view to a hard position and really preached double predestination.

There is much to admire in the Eastern Church. I can’t quite completely accept a totally free will, but they are not preaching that; only that original sin did not destroy the image of God in humanity but stained and soiled it very thoroughly so that only God’s grace can cleans a soul but it does not have to be “remade”.

That is my few cents on philosophical theology for this evening. Love the forum.

Happily splashing…
Harri
 
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