Justification (theology)

== Early church ==
{{See also|Early Christianity}}
After the [[Apostolic era]], the concept of justification was secondary to issues such as [[martyrdom]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}} Justification as a concept is mentioned in the works of early church fathers,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cyril C. Richardson: Early Christian Fathers - Christian Classics Ethereal Library |url=https://www.ccel.org/ccel/richardson/fathers.vi.i.iii.html |access-date=2023-04-24 |website=www.ccel.org}}</ref> and in the sermons of [[John Chrysostom]], but it is not developed until [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]]'s conflict with Pelagius.

[[Pelagius (British monk)|Pelagius]] taught that one became righteous through the exertion of one's will to follow the example of Jesus' life. Over against this, [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]] taught<ref>{{cite web |author=St. Augustin |title=Anti-Pelegian writings |url=http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf105.toc.html}} online at Calvin College</ref> that we are justified by God,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf105.x.iii.xix.html|title=Sin is from Natural Descent, as Righteousness is from Regeneration|work=Anti-Pelegian writings|author=St. Augustin}}</ref> as a work of his grace.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf105.x.iv.v.html|title=The Will of Man Requires the Help of God|work=Anti-Pelegian writings|author=St. Augustin}}</ref> Augustine took great pains in his anti-[[Pelagianism|Pelagian]] works to refute the notion that our works could serve as the proper basis for our justification. Following an appeal from Augustine, [[Pope Innocent I]] condemned Pelagius.  The accused heretic wrote an appeal of his own, declaring his innocence, which was duly accepted by Innocent's successor, [[Pope Zosimus]]. However, the [[Council of Carthage (418)]] again renounced Pelagius with papal approval.