Four Anti-Pelagian Writings

Introduction

INTRODUCTION Orosius As it turned out, it was Spain that linked Africa and Palestine in the Pelagian conflict. Orosius,1 a Spanish priest, native of Braga, came to Augustine in 415 to consult with him about Origenism and Priscillianism, the latter of which especially was gaining prominence in Spain. For Augustine he wrote a brief work, Commonitorium de errore Priscillianistarum et Origenistarum, and to this Augustine replied in 415 with AdOrosium contraPriscillianistas et Origenistas. Augustine describes him as "religious," "alert of mind, ready ofspeech, burning with eagerness.,,2 Putting together what Augustine says with what he leaves unsaid, Bonner characterizes him thus: "In Orosius, a burning zeal for the Faith was united with a narrow and ungenerous nature, and the whole allied to an impetuous temperament, and a remarkable naivety, which was later to have full rein in his History against the Pagans.,,3 This work, the main basis for Orosius' reputation , was written at Hippo at Augustine's behest in 417-18. (2) But now, in415, after his own response to Orosius' inquiries , Augustine recommended he travel to Palestine to study with Jerome and made him the bearer of two long letters to Jerome (Epp. 166 and 167), having to do with the Pelagian controversy . He settled in at Jerome's monastery in Bethlehem, but from there was called to testify at a synod at Jerusalem on July 28, 415. BishopJohn ofJerusalem4 wanted to inquire concerning the disputes involving Pelagius and Caelestius, and called on Orosius as a source of information about events in North Africa.s 1. His surname, Paul, is not attested before the sixth century. 2. Ep. 166.2. 3. Bonner, St Augustine, 332. 4. Bishop from 386 or 387 to 417. 5. Our main source for this synod is Orosius, Apol.3-6. 93 94 PROCEEDINGS OF PELAGIUS (3) At the synod, Orosius, who spoke in Latin and had to make use of an interpreter, described the condemnation of Caelestius at Carthage in 411 and read to those assembled from Augustine's Ep. 157 to Hilary, against Pelagian ideas being spread about in Sicily. John summoned Pelagius and offered him a chance to reply to the charges made against him. Asked if he had taught the doctrines to which Augustine had responded , Pelagius answered, "And who is Augustine to me?" Orosius tells us the audience was shocked, butJohn asked Pelagius , "although a layman in an assembly of priests," to sit down and declared, "I am Augustine here." Orosius, not one to be overawed by a Greek bishop, retorted, "If you are going to assume Augustine's person, follow his faith!,,6 Orosius then declared that Pelagius had said to him, "A man can be without sin and easily keep the commandments of God, if he wishes.,,7 Pelagius readily admitted he had said this and still said it. Orosius replied that it had been condemned at Carthage and attacked by Augustine and Jerome. John asked if Orosius and his associates wanted to act as Pelagius' accusers, while Orosius regarded the matter as already having been decided for the Church as a whole at Carthage. Pressed further on the question of a sinless life, Pelagius anathematized anyone who said this was possible without the grace of God.8 This was enough to satisfyJohn, who thereupon challenged Orosius as to whether he denied that humans could avoid sin even with God's help. Orosius, to avoid complete defeat, urged that the issue, since it was a dispute among Latins, be referred to Pope Innocent at Rome, and this the synod agreed to do. (4)John clearly had not heard Orosius with sympathy, and when Orosius presented himself on September 12 to assist the bishop in celebrating the feast of the dedication of the Church of the Resurrection, John denounced him as having declared that a man cannot be without sin even with the help ofGod.9 It was to clear himself of this charge that Orosius wrote the Liber apologeticus. 6. Apol+ 7. See De gest. Pel. 14.37-15.38 and 30.54. 8. De gest. Pel. 14.37,30.54. 9· Apol. 7· INTRODUCTION 95 The Synod ofDiospolis (s) Gaul furnishes the next dramatis personae. The cause against Pelagius was taken up by two Gallic bishops, Heros and Lazarus, living in Palestine after having both been exiled from their sees for their support of the usurper, Constant~e IIl. lO Heros, a former...