Whether you're familiar with Augustine or not, chances are you've encountered Calvinism and its core doctrines—especially the idea of unconditional election. Perhaps you have Reformed friends who hold to the belief that God has sovereignly chosen some individuals for salvation and others for damnation, entirely apart from their will. This deterministic view of salvation has become deeply embedded in much of Western Christianity. But what if we could trace this theological development to a specific moment in church history? What if we could say, with confidence, when and how this view was introduced—and argue that it was not part of the original Christian faith?

On today’s show, we take a critical look at one of the most influential figures in Christian history: Augustine of Hippo. We’re joined by Dr. Ken Wilson, Oxford-trained scholar and author of The Foundations of Augustinian Calvinism. In his historical research, Dr. Wilson demonstrates how Augustine’s later theology— particularly his embrace of determinism and unilateral grace — marked a significant departure from the teachings of earlier Church Fathers and laid the foundation for what would become Calvinistic theology.

To learn more on the topic, please read the notes included for this week’s episode.

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This week we are sitting down with Hutson Smelley, author of “Deconstructing Calvinism: A Biblical Analysis and Refutation”. Not only is he is a seasoned student of God’s word but he is also a practicing lawyer, mathematician, teaching elder in his local church, husband and father of seven. Today we walk through Romans chapter 9 and show why it does not say what many reformed theologians argue it says.

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Purchase Deconstructing Calvinism: A Biblical Analysis and Refutation here: https://a.co/d/i9MurOh

Dr. Leighton Flowers, Director of Evangelism for Texas Baptists and professor of Soteriology at Trinity Theological Seminary joins us to discuss the topic of Calvinism. In this second of two episodes, Leighton shares with us reasons why Calvinist theology has become more popular in recent years and why historically it seems to wax and wane among Christians.

Leighton also takes time to unpack a couple of the major tenets of Calvinism: Unconditional election and limited atonement. He uses scripture to refute both of these linch pin philosophical dogmas.

Dr. Leighton Flowers’ books available on Amazon:

The Potter's Promise: A Biblical Defense of Traditional Soteriology https://a.co/d/6tnYnTO

God's Provision For All: A Defense of God's Goodness https://a.co/d/gCTjaV6

Visit https://soteriology101.com/ for additional resources for refuting Calvinism biblically.

Visit https://www.lfbi.org/learnmore to learn more about the academic program of study at Living Faith Bible Institute.

Dr. Leighton Flowers, Director of Evangelism for Texas Baptists and professor of Soteriology at Trinity Theological Seminary joins us to discuss the topic of Calvinism. He shares his personal testimony of salvation and his journey to undo the Calvinist theology he once held.

In this episode, Leighton lays the foundation of why it is important to counter deterministic theologies in the Church, briefly showing us historical roots and examples of redefinitions in biblical vocabulary to fit the Calvinist worldview.