January 2009
I John 15:18; A Devotional
Submitted by Martin Glynn on Sat, 01/31/2009 - 9:34amWe've come to the conclusion of the letter. John doesn't end with an exhorting paragraph, or a final doctrinal conclusion. Instead, he concludes with a list of loosely connected aphorisms, and by pointing to the assurance we are to have that we are saved, and can resist temptation. I shall deal with each of these in turn.
I John 15:18: We fully know that everyone being born of God sins not, but the one born of God keeps watch over Him, and the oppressor cannot touch Him. -MGV
There is so much meat in this passage if one goes to the Greek. It is truly a powerful statement, and I've attempted to tease out some of the subtleties that are lost in most translations in the translation above. Let me point of few of them out quickly before I get to the meaning of the text.
Friday Files: Wesley's Predestination Calmly Considered
Submitted by Godismyjudge on Fri, 01/30/2009 - 6:19amJohn Wesley had the rare gift of bringing the Calvinist/Arminian debate from the head to the heart. In Predestination Calmly Considered, Wesley first examines the idea of upholding unconditional election while rejecting reprobation and then explains why the two doctrines are inseparable. He then rejects reprobation as inconsistent with the whole scope and tenor both of the Old and New Testament and provides about four pages of scriptural quotations to demonstrate his point. He then shows that reprobation is inconsistent with God’s justice and explains Romans 9. Wesley then moves to the atonement and shows Christ died for all based on a few passages and based on the general offer of the gospel. He then explains that man is dependent on prevenient grace and that even though man has freewill, God gets all the glory.
C.S. Lewis: Calvinist or Classical Arminian?
An essay by Rev. Zach Dawes. He argues that the theology of C.S. Lewis was essentially Arminian. Dawes also maintains a blog, which can be found here.
Calminians?
Submitted by Martin Glynn on Thu, 01/29/2009 - 10:04amI have heard many attempt to say that they are searching for a middle ground between Arminianism and Calvinism. The impetus of this is peace. They see the issue as too divisive, and they believe that by finding a middle ground, they can end the need for conflict.
Though I highly respect the sentiment, ultimately such a project will fail. There can be no middle ground between Calvinism and Arminianism. Why?
The Farmer, the Boys, and the Pond
Submitted by Kevin Jackson on Wed, 01/28/2009 - 9:17amIn his book "Chosen but Free", Dr. Norman Geisler* gives an illustration that vividly explains the problem with the Calvinistic teaching of Limited Atonement. Here is a paraphrase of the story:
There was a farmer who owned a pond. He did not want anyone to go swimming in it. He built a fence around the pond and posted a sign that said: NO SWIMMING ALLOWED.
One day three boys came upon the pond. They saw the sign, but decided to go swimming anyway. They climbed the fence and jumped into the pond. After jumping in they realized that there was no way to get out. They began to drown.
Toward a Definition of All Men
Submitted by arminianbaptist on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 1:44pmhttp://jmleonardfamily.googlepages.com/towardsadefinitionofallmen
by
James M. Leonard
The Early Church and Calvinism
This is a detailed study of Calvinism in light of the earliest Christian writers (Ante-Nicene Church Fathers). It demonstrates that the primary features of Calvinism were not taught by the Ante-Nicene Fathers but were actually considered heretical by these early Christian writers (often connected to various forms of gnosticism). Numerous quotes from these Ante-Nicene writers are provided for the reader to carefully consider. Click the link below to view the article.
Tim Warner, "Perseverance of the Saints"
Please click on the link below to view the article.
Tim Warner, "Eternal Security?"
This article primarily looks at the history of the doctrine.
I John 5:16-17; A Devotional
Submitted by Martin Glynn on Sat, 01/24/2009 - 7:37amIf anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life--to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. -ESV
I like the ESV translation of this a lot. The big thing is in the beginning of verse 16, with ask and give, it keeps it in the future tense, and, most importantly, keeps the word ask instead of changing it to pray. The verb there is aiteo which is the same verb that has been used in the previous verses promising that we will be given anything which we ask of God. This is clearly intended to be an example of this promise.