(The Great Falling Away, Part 5)
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:13–14, NASB1995
From Spiritual Power to Religious Control
By the 4th and 5th centuries, the Church had merged with political power, and that shift required new theological justification. Enter Augustine of Hippo—a brilliant thinker whose teachings would redefine free will, grace, and the Church itself for the next thousand years.
Though sincere, Augustine’s influence laid much of the doctrinal foundation for the Medieval Church—and with it, centuries of spiritual captivity.
Augustine’s Doctrinal Shifts
1. Free Will Reinterpreted
- Taught that the will of man was enslaved by sin—rendering true choice impossible without God first regenerating the soul.
- Introduced the idea that faith itself is a gift given only to the elect.
2. Grace Became Selective
- God’s grace was seen as irresistible and given only to those unconditionally chosen.
- The call of salvation became exclusive—not an open invitation.
3. Salvation Became Institutional
- Emphasized the visible Church as the only means of grace.
- Sacraments were tied to salvation; baptism regenerated the soul—especially infants.
4. Persecution Justified
- Believed the state could use force to correct heresy, citing the parable of the banquet (Luke 14:23) to “compel them to come in.”
- This thinking laid the groundwork for inquisitions, forced conversions, and doctrinal suppression.
Councils, Creeds, and Control
Following Augustine’s influence:
- Councils replaced congregational discernment.
- Creeds dictated what could be believed.
- The Roman Church declared itself the one true church—unchallenged and uncorrectable.
The Holy Spirit’s leadership was gradually replaced with hierarchy, formality, and fear.
The Church Became a Gatekeeper, Not a Servant
Rather than pointing people to Jesus, the Church began standing between God and man, declaring:
- Who could receive grace
- Who could speak truth
- Who could be saved
“You shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces…” — Matthew 23:13
Application for Today
Ask yourself:
- Have I allowed tradition or theology to override the Word and the Spirit?
- Am I part of a system that controls faith—or fosters it?
- Do I believe God’s grace is available to all—or only a few?
Scriptural Truth Remains:
“The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men…”
— Titus 2:11, NASB1995
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