This is a somewhat moderate form of Pelagianism. Whereas in Pelagianism, there is the understanding that humans must live moral and superior lives in order to receive salvation, in classic Semi-Pelagianism, there is the belief that it is impossible to live sinless lives. Therefore, the only way that people can receive salvation is through God's grace alone. However, there is a catch! In order for humans to receive this grace, they must first turn to God and ask for it. God's grace, forgiveness, and salvation can be given only to those who seek God and petition God for it. Salvation is dependent solely on the strength of our faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, salvation both in semi-Pelagianism and in Pelagianism is based first and foremost on human initiative. We must do something first before God "saves" us.

This position became the official Roman Catholic understanding of salvation at the beginning of the Middle Ages. Though the Protestant reformers rejected it, it managed to infiltrate Protestant theology after the Enlightenment. The Great Awakening and other revival movements in American history have made this position particularly popular in Protestant Christianity in America. Today, practically all Christian denominations who label themselves "evangelicals," and some Christians of other denominations as well, officially adopt a Semi-Pelagian understanding of salvation.

Key Texts:

John 14:1-6
14 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Evangelicals quote verse six quite often. In fact, the Gospel of John is the favorite Gospel of evangelicals. This passage does seem to support the notion that we have to make a decision for Jesus in order to be saved. But be careful! Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life...". He doesn’t say that the Presbyterian Church, or the Baptist Church, or Pat Robertson, or any other person is the way. Nor does this verse say that Jesus will not save non-Christians or non-evangelicals. It merely states that Jesus will have the final decision in these matters (which is radically different from our own decisions). Many interpret this verse as "My beliefs about Jesus are the way, the truth, and the life," thus missing the point of it altogether.

John 3:18
18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 6:40
40 This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.

Passages like these are quoted quite commonly by evangelicals. I won’t list many more of them, but you get the picture that there are parts of the Bible which promote "belief" in Jesus as the gateway to salvation. What we as Presbyterians have to ask ourselves is "What is belief? What is faith? Is faith merely what we believe about Jesus, or is it how we live our lives, or is it hope that God can do for us (save us) what we cannot do for ourselves?" Further, we must ask ourselves if we ever fully understand what it means to say Jesus is Lord and Savior (most of his disciples didn’t – is it possible that we can do better?)

Acts 2:21
21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Rev.3:20
20 Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.

The image of Jesus knocking on the door of our heart and asking us to come in so that we can have a personal relationship with him is very common among evangelical Christians. What is important about this passage if you read it in the context of Revelation is that Jesus is not simply knocking on any door. He is knocking on the door of a church! It is a Christian church in the late 1st century that has shut Jesus outside. It’s not a passage directed at non-believers, but at people who claim to believe in Jesus!!!