Whose teachings do the pastors teach? In the centuries following the ministry of Jesus and his apostles, Christian theology gradually became shaped more by influential figures like Augustine of Hippo than by the original gospel message. Augustine, a major theologian in the 4th and 5th centuries, developed complex doctrines that have heavily influenced both Catholic and Protestant traditions. His teachings emphasized ideas such as the Trinity, original sin, predestination, and the authority of the institutional church—many of which were not explicitly taught by Jesus or his apostles.
The original gospel, as found in the New Testament, centers on the one true God being the Father, with Jesus as His Son and Messiah—not God Himself. It emphasizes faith, repentance, personal transformation, and the coming Kingdom of God. In contrast, Augustine introduced philosophical reasoning, particularly from Greek thought, to articulate doctrines like the Trinity, which added layers of complexity not present in the early apostolic teachings.
His doctrine of original sin taught that all humanity inherits guilt from Adam, leading to a view that people are incapable of choosing God without divine intervention. He also promoted a form of predestination where God determines in advance who will be saved or lost, reducing the role of human free will. Additionally, Augustine placed high importance on church authority and sacramental rituals, which later influenced the development of rigid hierarchies and formal religious practices.
This shift has led many churches to rely more on Augustine’s theological framework than on the simple, relational message preached by Jesus and his disciples. As a result, foundational biblical truths—such as the identity of God, the nature of salvation, and the believer's role in responding to God—have often been obscured or reinterpreted through a post-biblical lens. For those seeking a return to the original gospel, this calls for re-examining traditional doctrines in light of the teachings of Jesus and the early apostles.
(Wording by AI)
Seek the teachings which are true to the teachings of Christ.
