📖 Biblical Definition
Semi-Pelagianism teaches that fallen humanity retains enough spiritual capacity to initiate faith apart from the prior regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. This contradicts Scripture's clear testimony: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" (John 6:44). The natural person "does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to Him, and He is not able to understand them" (1 Corinthians 2:14). Paul teaches that we were "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1) — and dead men do not initiate their own resurrection. Salvation is "not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). Even the faith by which we believe is a gift of sovereign grace, not a contribution of unaided human will.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
No direct entry. The theological term was used in academic discourse but not common dictionaries.
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Webster 1828 does not contain "semi-Pelagianism." However, his definition of GRACE includes: "The free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him." This understanding of grace as unmerited and initiating is precisely what semi-Pelagianism undermines by making the first move belong to man.
📖 Key Scripture
• John 6:44 — "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws Him."
• Ephesians 2:1-5 — "You were dead in the trespasses and sins... God, being rich in mercy, made us alive."
• 1 Corinthians 2:14 — "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God."
• Philippians 1:29 — "It has been granted to you that... you should also believe in him."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Semi-Pelagianism is the default theology of most modern evangelicalism.
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Semi-Pelagianism was condemned by the Council of Orange in 529, yet it is the functional theology of the majority of modern evangelical churches. The popular gospel presentation assumes that unregenerate sinners can, by their own free will, "decide" for Christ — that God offers grace, but the sinner must make the first move. This flatly contradicts Jesus' words in John 6:44 and Paul's teaching that we were dead in sin, not merely sick. The altar call, the sinner's prayer, and the "God has done His part, now you do yours" mentality are all expressions of semi-Pelagianism. They place the decisive factor in salvation in the human will rather than in the sovereign, initiating, efficacious grace of God. What the ancient church condemned as heresy, the modern church preaches as gospel.
Usage
• "Semi-Pelagianism was condemned in 529 — but it is the default operating system of most evangelical churches today."
• "If the first move in salvation belongs to the sinner's free will, then the decisive factor is not grace but human initiative — and that is semi-Pelagianism."