Doug Wilson: The Silent Refutation of Every Lie

Thank you Matt for posting this. A little reflection and prayer asking what is going on is good for the soul. Being Christian in Chaos is very, very hard without getting recharged by the Holy Spirit.

Recently, I have been pondering these questions while listening to a Russ Lee song that offers some additional reflection on today’s world ...

“LIVING LIFE UPSIDE DOWN” lyrics by Russ Lee

John has a new way of looking at life
He’s tired of his job, his kids and his wife
He says the secret to his success
Was in leaving and finding himself
Now he’s someone to somebody else.
And you say we’ve risen to a new age of truth
You’re calling it a spiritual Godly pursuit
But I say, I say,

(chorus)
What if we’ve fallen to the bottom of a well
Thinking we’ve risen to the top of a mountain
What if we’re knocking at the gates of hell
Thinking we’re heaven bound
What if we spend our lives thinking of ourselves
When we should have been thinking of each other
What if we reach up and touch the ground
To find we’re living life upside down.

We’ve got a program for saving the earth
While unborn children are denied their right to birth
One baby’s blessed, another cursed
Have we made this world better or worse
Now that the life of a tree comes first
And you say we’ve risen to a new age of light
You’re telling me what used to be wrong is now right
But I say, I say,
(repeat chorus)

What if we’re living, what if we’re living,
What if we’re living life upside down.

He is absolutely correct.

Doug Wilson is just upset that his false Gospel and heretical Popish teachings on Justification are now being challenged in the PCA.  Indeed, the first steps have been taken toward bringing charges of heresy against some of his cohorts in the Louisiana Presbytery.

I’ve read many of Wilson’s books and have found no heresy. He clearly teaches sola fide wrt justification AND he is not PCA. If you are going to level those charges you need to back them up.

I am sorry that you are not up-to-date with Mr. Wilson’s embracing of the “Federal Vision” - also known as “Auburn Avenue Theology”, because it was publicly stated most clearly at a conference at Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church in Monroe in 2002.

In effect, it is an approach toward the false Gospel of the Roman Catholic Church - a salvation by baptism and works following after faith.

Here is a very brief description, taken from the link:

Written by several of the leading proponents of the heresy now solidly entrenched in most of the reputedly conservative Presbyterian and Reformed churches, and
spreading, The Federal Vision brazenly defends justification by works; universal covenant grace to every child of believing parents, if not to every person sprinkled with water in the name of the triune God; an election unto grace that
fails to save; baptismal regeneration; and the falling away of many who were once united to Christ. Among the authors are Steve Wilkins, John Barach, Rich Lusk, Peter J. Leithart, Steve Schlissel, James Jordan, and Douglas Wilson.

(Taken from http://www.trinityfoundation.org/PDF/251_FederalVision.pdf)

I am, of course, well aware that Wilson is not himself PCA.  At it’s general convention last month, the PCA appointed a committee to study whether heresy charges should be brought against PCA elders and pastors who have embraced the Federal Vision theology, particularly the pastor of Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church. That is the basis for my comment that some of Doug Wilson’s “cohorts” have been placed in potential jeopardy.

Here is another link to a brief discussion of Wilson’s contribution to the Federal Vision theology:

http://www.trinityfoundation.org/PDF/242-JustControversyGuide4Perplexed.pdf

I understand covenant theology well enough and recognize that he believes it, but this is not Romish. Moreover, having read him quite extensively I am “up to date” on his thinking.

In one of his more recent books he describes baptism as initiation rite into the Christian community which it is and describes correctly how Christian parent raising their child in a Christian home in accordance with the laws of God can expect that their Children will become Christian, not by works but by the inworking the Holy Spirit that brings about saving faith in the child.

Please site page numbers and references for the “heretical” positions Doug Wilson takes.

The fact is, Federal Vision theology is not standard orthodox covenant theology.  That is why it is splitting the reformed community.  It is an approach closer to Roman Catholic teaching than to the Westminster Confession.

I will try to dig up the specifics of what Wilson himself has written, but I can say he is firmly aligned with the heretical camp of the Federal Vision folks.

You’re going to need to do that because having read just about everything the guy has in print and being very well versed in Reformed theology, I don’t see it.

Also, Wilson presently tours with RC Sproul as a fierce defender of Reformed doctrine as there ever was, not one to be caught up with a Popish heretic