How did the Pelagians relate to Greek Christianity and to the earlier tradition?
Concerning Pelagianism s relationship to Greek Christianity, we have already called attention to the fact that the Origenist controversy is the early background for Pelagius’ battle with Jerome. Pelagius was wont to draw from some of Origen’s more theologically acceptable ideas. Further, Rufinus brought with him from the east an impressive body of Greek monastic literature that would have greatly enhanced the credibility of Pelagius’ teaching. Later, Julian of Eclanum would attempt to seize the moment, by playing the popularity of John Chrysostum as a Pelagian trump card in the West. A Pelagian translator made available the sermons of John to the Latin West and was careful to point out that John too, had been deposed and exiled without a fair trial. How should Pelagianism be viewed in relation to the earlier Christian tradition? Here Brown is emphatic. Augustine’s dramatic conversion experience’s influence on his theology had ‘worn off’ in his later years. The drastic change from the b
