Evangelical Free Will

In the recent issue of the Sixteenth Century Journal (XLIII, no. 1; Spring 2012), Credo blogger and executive editor Matthew Barrett contributed a book review of Evangelical Free Will: Philipp Melanchthon’s Journey on the Origins of Faith, by Gregory Graybill.

Here is one of Barrett’s concluding paragraphs:

Graybill’s treatment of Melanchthon is impressive not just for his investigation into Melanchthon’s theology but in his ability to compare Melanchthon to theologians prior to the sixteenth century. Nevertheless, it seems that Graybill may overstate his case when he argues that Melanchthon was “the first person in church history to articulate this doctrine of evangelical free will” (315). Graybill’s error on this matter is evident in his historical treatment. While Graybill discusses Augustine he immediately moves from Augustine (354-430) to medieval theologians such as Peter Lombard (1095-1160), Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), and others. However, Graybill never considers the semi-Pelagian and semi-Augustinian schools of thought during Augustine’s time and shortly thereafter. It is not without coincidence that Melanchthon’s evangelical free will shares many similarities with semi-Augustinianism. It is semi-Augustinianism which would eventually reincarnate itself in classic Arminianism. Interestingly, Graybill does recognize the major similarities between Melanchthon and later Arminianism. He writes, “In essence, Melanchthon’s evangelical free will was a response to Luther in the same manner as Arminius’ doctrine of the will was a response to Calvinism. Arminius and his popularize John Wesley were not original-they had merely come to similar conclusions within a Reformed milieu as Melanchthon had already done within the Lutheran context” (316). Graybill’s argument on this point needs reconsideration, especially in light of Melanchthon’s similarities with semi-Augustinianism, a tradition Graybill neglects to investigate.

Read the rest here. Also read other articles and reviews by Barrett here.