Historical Theology · Patristic Database

The Christian
Belief Map

What the first five centuries believed — and who still believes it today.

217
Belief Records
46
Figures
500
Years
6
Traditions
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AU
Augustine of Hippo
21 belief records
0%
agree
PE
Pelagius
1 belief records
Scripture & Tradition Only one figure has records here
The Church has authority to determine which books belong to the canon of Scripture
On Christian Doctrine, II.8
affirmed
The canon of both Old and New Testaments was settled by the authority of the Catholic churches
On Christian Doctrine, II.8
affirmed
The Scriptures are inspired by God and free from error in what they affirm
Letter 82.3 (to Jerome)
affirmed
Augustine of Hippo reads Genesis not as literal six-day chronology but as instantaneous divine creation
The Literal Meaning of Genesis, IV.33.52
affirmed
No record from Pelagius
The Priesthood Only one figure has records here
Ordination, like baptism, cannot be repeated — both are sacraments given once
On Baptism, Against the Donatists, I.1
affirmed
No record from Pelagius
The Sacraments Only one figure has records here
Donatism is wrong — the validity of sacraments does not depend on the holiness of the minister
On Baptism, Against the Donatists, III.15
affirmed
Baptism in the name of the Trinity is valid even when performed by a heretic or schismatic
On Baptism, Against the Donatists, IV.17
affirmed
Augustine teaches that marriage has three goods: fidelity, offspring, and sacramental bond
On the Good of Marriage, 24
affirmed
Original sin is transmitted to all humanity through physical generation
On the Merits and Remission of Sins, II.4
affirmed
Baptism washes away original sin inherited from Adam
On the Merits and Remission of Sins, I.26
affirmed
Infants who die without baptism are in a condition of original sin — Augustine refuses to promise them glory
On the Soul and Its Origin, IV.11
affirmed
No record from Pelagius
Ecclesiology Only one figure has records here
Christ and the Church are as one person — head and body together
Homilies on John, Tract. 10
affirmed
Schism from the Catholic Church is a grave sin even if the schismatic group holds correct doctrine
On Baptism, Against the Donatists, I.17
affirmed
Grace is necessary for every act of salvation and cannot be merited
On Grace and Free Will, 5
affirmed
The grace that assists the Christian in daily life is distinct from and greater than mere moral instruction
On the Spirit and the Letter, 2
affirmed
Pelagianism is not only wrong about grace but destroys the necessity of the Incarnation and cross
On the Spirit and the Letter, 2
affirmed
Augustine teaches that God predestines some to salvation by grace alone, not by foreknown merits
On Predestination of the Saints, 10
affirmed
No record from Pelagius
Eschatology Only one figure has records here
Augustine teaches that unbaptised infants cannot enter the kingdom but suffer the mildest condemnation
Enchiridion, 93
affirmed
Some suffer temporary punishments after death before the final judgment
Enchiridion, 69
affirmed
No record from Pelagius
Mariology Only one figure has records here
Augustine excepts the holy Virgin Mary from the general discussion of sin, out of honour to Christ
On Nature and Grace, 36.42
implied
No record from Pelagius
Soteriology ⚔ DISAGREE
Grace is necessary for every act ordered toward salvation — the will cannot initiate it unaided
On Grace and Free Will, 6
affirmed
Pelagius denies original sin and the necessity of grace — each person can choose good without divine assistance
Letter to Demetrias, 2-3
denied
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