Did the Early Church Fathers teach 'Calvinism?'

Dr. Leighton Flowers, Director of Evangelism and Apologetics for Texas Baptists, has Dr. Ken Wilson back to discuss his Oxford Dissertation on the teaching of the Early Church Fathers as in contrast to Augustine and the claim of some modern day Calvinists who are attempting to redefine church history to be supportive of their more deterministic perspective.

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[ShowCat]

His book set me free from decades of deception. I praise God for this channel.

[eswn]

"Predestination is God knowing in advance... Calvanistic predestination is pagan determinism."
Pure "gold!" Much appreciated.

[mayanzeyimana]

Thank you Dr. Wilson all the way from Rwanda, East Africa. Just to let you both know that there are some "Theology Nerds" across the world who appreciate these broadcasts so keep doing what you are doing Leighton Flowers!

[rileybennett]

Dr. Flowers, I cannot express anything but gratitude and respect for your channel. You are one of the only people I’ve heard encourage listeners to actually dig deep and read the writings of the Early Church Fathers so that they can make a more informed decision on what they believe regarding Calvinism and Augustinianism. The first person who encouraged me to compare the claims of Augustine against the Early Church Fathers was my dear friend Dr. Jason A. Staples. He has been a huge encouragement to me on my walk with Christ, and your videos echo many of the conversations I’ve had with Jason. Thank you for sharing your pursuit of truth with the world. God bless you.

[Baltic_Hammer]

Dr. Wilson on Leighton's program = immediate Like

[HeavenGuy]

"God desires willing lovers." What a perfect summary of free will.

[kentyoung]

The book is available for only $5.00 on Kindle. Fastest purchase decision I've ever made.


I first heard Ken Wilson on the "Saving Grace" podcast put out by Grace School of Theology. He is an absolute godsend. Ken, if you read this, please be a guest on as many podcasts as you can, religious, philosophical, political, or whatever. You need to be a household name for every theologically minded person.

[bobfree]

Another thing is that Luke who wrote the Book of Acts and one of the Gospels, had first hand knowledge of almost all the critical events that happened, and Traveled with Paul to Asia. According to Sir Willaim Ramsay a non -believer, and great 19 century Archeologist and Foremost New Testament Scholar, spent 18 years in Asia Minor trying to Refute Lukes testimonies came to his conclusion that Luke was an Historian of the Highest order, Ramsay became Believer and wrote an extensive Book in the Footsteps of Paul!! Luke not once mentions any calvanistic flavor or any passages leaning that way, but does say anyone can come to Christ as Paul himself said.Paul says Faith is NOT a work, but we come to believe by hearing an then accepting what we Hear.

[nathanhellrung]

Another amazing interview with Dr. Ken Wilson. Just purchased the book. It's fairly obvious that not only does scripture in context not support Calvinism but also the early church fathers taken in context don't support it.

[lmorter]

I've tried to wear the calvinist glasses as well but all they do is give me major headaches.

[granthollandvideos]

Thanks Dr Wilson for this presentation. Thanks also for the book, just finished it. Great read. Only problem is it just left me hungry for more. Look forward to the next one. Bless you.

[beowulf.reborn]

I wish you and Ken Wilson would have started a series like this 10 years ago! Would have saved me a lot of heartache and depression. God bless you both.

[thomasjohns]

I know that this is a few years old but through my study of the Bible, I really had a hard time with Calvinism. I belong to a church that leans more toward Calvinism but I just can't pitch my tent in that camp. My studies have been confirmed with what you two said here with clarification on a few things... thank you.

[nicolemalkin]

Came to this conclusion by research, so happy someone wrote a book!!! Now I know I’m not alone! I live in China, I hope I can get this book online.

[bwfreel]

Dr Wilson .... a MD and a Phd from Oxford? I wish I had that much brain power. His book is full of facts that will help you struggle through this subject. Also John Lennox “determined to believe”

[k.arlanebel]

The Cappadocian Fathers of the Eastern Christian church( St. Basil the Great (330–379), who was bishop of Caesarea; Basil's younger brother St. Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335 – c. 395), who was bishop of Nyssa; and a close friend, St. Gregory of Nazianzus (329–389), who became Patriarch of Constantinople) slightly pre-date Augustine (died 430) and they were responsible for much of the early Christian theology that remains orthodox to this day, including beliefs concerning the Trinity and the basics of the Nicene Creed. Their teachings were totally opposed to what Augustine later brought into the Western Church.


When the Calvinist Sproul says that Augustine is the theological foundation of the The Church, he shows either his complete ignorance of or maybe simply his utter disdain for the entire community of earlier Christian teachers beginning with Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna, then Justin Martyr, Irenaeus of Lyons, Clement of Alexandria, Athanasius of Alexandria, John Chrysostom, Cyril of Alexandria, the Cappadocian Fathers (Basil of Caesarea, Gregory Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa), Peter of Sebaste, Maximus the Confessor, and John of Damascus.


The irresponsibility and often the plain ignorance of many who claim positions of authority in Christian churches today is disgusting.

[thomasthepromise]

"Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ." Colossians 2:8
Paul was warning his readers about Stoicism, which was the launching pad of Manichean philosophy. In other words, he was exposing the Augustine's of the world.

[kevinrobb]

Praise God for your ministry as it's turning many lives to Christ

[richardthenryvideos]

Amazon reviews! Order the book, read it, review it! It's the only way to lift up this view and combat the calvinist tyranny of the modern church

[bobfree]

Thank You Dr Wilson it was an eye opener to say that Least!