UDC

141.333

DOI

10.17238/issn2227-6564.2019.6.86

Authors

Artur R. Antonyan
Southern Federal University; ul. Bol’shaya Sadovaya 105/42, Rostov-on-Don, 344006, Russian Federation;
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3047-8609 e-mail: pravoslavie-art@mail.ru

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of the anthropological positions of the British monk Pelagius and the 16th-century Dutch humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam. The paper aimed to assess the degree of influence of Pelagian ideas on Erasmus’ philosophical works. In addition, it demonstrates the common points of their theological doctrines. During the analysis of Pelagius’ theological concepts, the anthropological views of his main opponent on the issue – St. Augustine of Hippo – were considered. Further, the article analyses the theological constructions of the German reformer Martin Luther, who openly opposed some of Erasmus’ philosophical ideas. It is shown that, in spite of the seeming similarity between Erasmus’ anthropological postulates and Pelagius’ doctrines, the former keeps in line with Catholic orthodoxy. The author concludes that the accusations of being a follower of the “Pelagian heresy” brought against Erasmus by Martin Luther are rather unreasonable. The relevance of this article lies in the fact that the numerous Christian denominations still lack a shared view on human nature and man’s role in salvation. Doctrinal issues of Christian theology discussed in the article remain the subject of heated debate among Arminian and reformed evangelical Christians. Moreover, this paper is of scientific importance due to the fact that the Pelagian concept of so-called anthropological optimism, which has from time to time been revived in the history of the Christian Church and provoked fierce debate, remains insufficiently studied in Russian religious and philosophical literature.

Keywords

St. Augustine of Hippo, Erasmus of Rotterdam, predestination, original sin, Pelagianism, free will

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