Pelagianism as Novelty in Augustine of Hippo
Augustine fought against the Pelagians for almost two decades, from 411 to his death in 430, when he left unfinished his last work against Julian of Aeclanum. During this long period, Augustine countered the Pelagian movement mainly through theological treatises and sermons. In this paper, these sources will be studied from a rhetorical perspective: in particular, the several passages in which Augustine labels the Pelagian movement as a novelty, a rhetorical technique that offers Augustine several possibility of attacking the Pelagians, will be carefully analysed. This specific rhetorical tactic against the Pelagian serves at least three purposes. First, Augustine clearly identifies the true Catholic community rooted in the ancient tradition of faith with his own teaching. Second, Augustine definitely discredits his enemies of being completely outside the ancient tradition of the Church because they represent a novelty without any connection with the true and ancient faith. Third, Augustine spreads among his audience the doctrine of original sin, which is, at least in Augustine’s view, in perfect agreement with the tradition of the Church. All these issues will be explored in this paper.
