Contending for the Faith in Moscow, Idaho

Doug Wilson Heresy Quotes

4 documented quotes on this topic

Has Doug Wilson taught heresy? Six Reformed denominations have ruled his Federal Vision doctrine unbiblical. This page collects documented statements that critics cite — including his own admission that he was 'declared to be heretics' — with the rulings linked.

“Raise your hand if you knew that the Westminster Confession taught baptismal regeneration...Baptism means that the one baptized has a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, has been grafted into Christ, has the sign and seal of regeneration and forgiveness of sins, and has the obligation to walk in newness of life...baptism is efficacious. But the efficacy of the sacrament is not tied to the moment when it is administered. By means of baptism, this efficacious grace is conferred on the elect at the appropriate time, the time of conversion, and it is the applied grace of their baptism.” — Doug Wilson

In this Calvinistic sense, baptism offers a twofold grace: forgiveness of sins and regeneration. In this limited sense, we can say that Calvin held to baptismal regeneration. But he also believed in the effectual call, and he knew (being a good Calvinist, perhaps even the best) that this effectual call could precede or follow the moment of baptism. — Doug Wilson

“I have decided, after mulling over it for some years now, to discontinue identifying myself with what has come to be called the federal vision....This statement represents a change in what I will call what I believe. It does not represent any substantial shift or sea change in the content of what I believe....I would still want [sic] affirm everything I signed off on in the Federal Vision statement.” — Doug Wilson

“I have argued that promises are apprehended by faith, not faithfulness or fidelity, but, of course, faith in the biblical sense is inseparable from faithfulness. Faith is invisible to the human eye, but faith’s constant companion—faithfulness—is not invisible. Nevertheless, it is faith that receives the promises, overthrows kingdoms, and stops the mouths of lions. If we adopt the shorthand of James, we could say that faithfulness (works) does these things also, but we would be using his shorthand.” — Doug Wilson

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Each quote links to a deeper post with full context, sources, and biblical reply. For broader coverage of this topic — including analytical posts — see the tag page.

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