WHO AND WHEN STARTED THE SO-CALLED PELAGIAN CONTROVERSY? (Kto i kiedy rozpoczal tak zwana kontrowersje pelagianska?)

Quite a number of scholars claim that the Pelagian controversy started in 411. This common opinion is subjected to scrutiny in this paper. It provides a thorough analysis of sources, particularly of the writings of Augustine of Hippo. First, it is apparent (yet rarely noticed) that the first utterances of the animosity towards Pelagius were not formulated before 415 (by Augustine, Orosius and Jerome). Second, the arguments against Pelagius were devised by Augustine and influenced the decisions on Pelagius made by the African bishops, Pope Innocent and the emperor Honorius. The second line of the argument aims at showing that one ought not to write about the Pelagian controversy before 415. Augustine in his later works tried to force the opinion that he had fought with the Pelagian heresy even before it emerged. However, we should not follow his idiosyncratic view. In consequence, I am against using the vague term Pelagian controversy' and support the view that it is better to write about the controversy between Augustine and Pelagius.