Not To Be Confused With
Pelagianism denies the need for grace to begin; “semi-Pelagianism” softens this to “we start, grace helps.” Augustine opposed both, insisting grace is first and decisive.
Against Augustine, Pelagius minimized original sin and made grace an aid rather than a necessity. The Church sided with Augustine: salvation begins with God's grace, not human initiative — a conviction at the root of the later justification debates.