‘The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism, by Dr. Wilson’: Some Thoughts

The following quote is from Grace theological Press:

Dr. Wilson graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Texas system, followed by an Orthopedic Residency and Hand Fellowship. He then taught as a full-time academic professor at Oregon’s medical school for many years. While maintaining his hand surgery practice, Dr. Wilson decided to pursue theology. He graduated magna cum laude from Faith Lutheran Seminary with a M.Div. degree, then magna cum laude from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary with a Th.M. degree. Dr. Wilson attended The University of Oxford in the United Kingdom where he received his doctorate in theology with the thesis, “Augustine’s Conversion from Traditional Free Choice to ‘Non-free Free Will’: A Comprehensive Methodology.“

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That is an impressive resume.

Dr. Wilson recently made his findings from his thesis work available in summary form so that it is accessible to a wider audience. The Kindle version is available on Amazon titled “The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism.”  The “Methodology” for his thesis consisted of a reading of Augustine’s writings in chronological order along with comparing Augustine to Pauline, Patristic and other early church writings. The goal was to document Augustine’s introduction of Manichean determinism into Christian theology.  Dr. Wilson demonstrates Augustine’s support of a free-will theology consistent with the early Church’s teaching. He shows that Augustine for much of his writings argued against determinism and used scripture to attack the Manichean view of scripture. At a point Augustine’s position on infant baptism was challenged by followers of Pelagia and he resorted to his Manichean roots to answer the challenge. Augustine had studied Manicheism for ten years. In defending his position of baptism Augustine adopted the Manichean misinterpretation of scriptures, the very interpretations he had opposed in his earlier writings.  The result is that Augustine introduced Manichean determinism into Christianity. This was a major diversion from early church teaching. Luther and Calvin adopted this teaching leading, especially through Calvin, to today’s Reformed theology.  

This work will not be easily dismissed. It dispels any argument that today’s TULIP i.e. Reformed theology is based on Patristic or scriptural teaching. Clearly todays Calvinism is the product of Manichean/Gnostic philosophy and its misinterpretation of scriptures. If you are Reformed, or you are leaning in that direction, I would encourage you to objectively read Dr. Wilson’s presentation. You owe it to yourself to understand the basis for your belief.