AG STUDY GUIDE FINAL - The Forerunner

prevail − hence the famous expression Athanasius contra mundum or "Athanasius
against the world." But he continued fearlessly to write, preach and
courageously defend the truth. In the end, he prevailed.
Adapted from "Athanasius, Saint." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica
Online.
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Chapter 4: Free-Will Controversy
The Augustinian/Pelagian Controversy Over Free-Will
(Video running time: 18:20 minutes)
“If I ought, I can.” - Pelagius
As Jesus prophesied, the early church suffered many trials and tribulations; most
of them at the hands of the Pharisees and the Romans. However, as time went
by the greatest trials were to come from within the church itself.
“…savage wolves will come among you, not sparing the flock
…men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the
disciples after themselves. - Acts 20:29-30
The Introduction of and Response to False Doctrine:
1) Challenges established teachings.
2) Challenges are then circulated through the means of letters and tracts.
3) Church council is called to deal with the new teaching.
4) The Church issues a formal written response.
1. This is how creeds and confessions were developed. They were essentially a
formal ______________to false or controversial teachings.
During the fifth century A.D., a new controversy arose. It started when the
premier theologian of the time, Aurelius Augustine, also known as St. Augustine
of Hippo, wrote a simple prayer that began to circulate throughout Christendom:
“LORD, give what Thou commandest, and command
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