Gennadius of Massilia - Attitude and Views

Attitude and Views

There are many indications that the author was a Semipelagian in "De Viris Illustribus". Semipelagians are warmly praised (Fastidiosus, lvi, p. 80; Cassian, lxi, 81; Faustus of Riez, lxxxv, 89); full Pelagians (Pelagius himself, xlii, 77; Julian of Eclanum, xlv, 77) are heretics; Catholics are treated shabbily (Augustine of Hippo, xxxviii, 75; Prosper of Aquitaine, lxxxiv, 89); even popes are called heretics (Julius I, in i, 61).

The same tendency is confirmed by the treatise "De eccles. dogmatibus", which is full of Semipelagianism, either open or implied (original sin carefully evaded, great insistence on free will and denial of predestination, grace as an adjutorium in the mildest form, etc.).

Gennadius considers (like later writers, e.g. Thomas Aquinas) that all men, even those alive at the Second Coming, will have to die. But this conviction, though derived from a widespread patristic tradition, is, he admits, rejected by equally catholic and learned Fathers.

Of the theories concerning the soul of man subsequently known as the creationist and the traducianist views, he espouses the creationist. He will not allow the existence of the spirit as a third element in man besides the body and the soul, but regards it as only another name for the soul.

In De Ecclesiasticis Dogmatibus, his views include the following points. Heretical baptism is not to be repeated, unless it has been administered by heretics who would have declined to employ the invocation of the Holy Trinity. He recommends weekly reception of the Eucharist by all not under the burden of mortal sin. Such as are should have recourse to public penitence. He will not deny that private penance may suffice; but even here outward manifestation, such as change of dress, is desirable. Daily reception of holy communion he will neither praise nor blame. Evil was invented by Satan. Though celibacy is rated above matrimony, to condemn marriage is Manichean. A twice-married Christian should not be ordained. Churches should be called after martyrs, and the relics of martyrs honoured. None but the baptized attain eternal life; not even catechumens, unless they suffer martyrdom. Penitence thoroughly avails to Christians even at their latest breath. The Creator alone knows our secret thoughts. Satan can learn them only by our motions and manifestations. Marvels might be wrought in the Lord's name even by bad men. Men can become holy without such marks. The freedom of man's will is strongly asserted, but the commencement of all goodness is assigned to divine grace.

The language of Gennadius is here not quite Augustinian; but neither is it Pelagian.