Pelagianism is the teaching of a monk named Pelagius in the fifth century. He taught that man’s will was and still is free to choose good or evil and there is no inherited sin (through Adam). Every infant born into the world is in the same condition as Adam before the fall and becomes a sinner because he sins. This is opposed to the Biblical teaching that we are by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3) and that we sin because we are sinners.

Pelagius said that we are able to keep the commandments of God because God has given us the ability. Therefore, there is no need for redemption and the crucifixion of Jesus is merely a supreme example of love, humility, obedience, and sacrifice. This heresy has its relatives in the form of the cults that deny the total dependence upon God and maintain that salvation is obtainable through our own efforts. (Compare with Arminianism and Calvinism).