It’s the St. Felix of Hadrumentum Day edition of the Friday Files, SEA’s weekly visit to our archives. Because not everybody goes rooting around in there for fun, and there’s a lot worth rereading! Articles and links usually reflect SEA’s views, but not always; heads up. Articles are from the third week of February…
Last year! (2019)
- Roy Ingle, “Does Theology Matter Anymore?” Doesn’t seem to matter anymore to people in the Bible Belt. But it always has.
- Jimmy Akin, “God’s Elect in the First Epistle of Clement.” How did other first-century Christians, the students of the first apostles, understand election to work?
- Ben Henshaw, “Is the Arminian View of Certain Attributes of God Shaped by Greek Philosophy as Some Charge Against Calvinism?” No.
- The Remonstrance podcast, “The Synod of Dort.” [audio] In two parts, Part 1 and Part 2. On the “condemnation” of Arminianism by the Dutch Reformed Church in 1618–19, and the usual misrepresentations of Arminianism as heresy.
Five years ago! (2015)
- James N. Anderson, “Libertarian Calvinism?” A Calvinist scholar looks at Oliver Crisp’s Deviant Calvinism and takes issue with its claim Calvinists might believe in libertarian free will: The Westminster Confession affirms comprehensive divine determinism. Period.
- James N. Anderson, “Libertarian Reformed Baptists?” Same as with Crisp’s claims about Calvinists and free will, Anderson rejects the idea Reformed Baptists might believe in libertarian free will. Their London Baptist Confession of Faith implies both compatibilism and comprehensive divine determinism.
- Kevin Jackson, “Arminian Principles for Interpreting Romans 9.” In short, read it in context. Read it in the context of Romans, of the following chapters of Romans, in the context of the Old Testament verses Paul quotes, and in the context of God’s character. Not in the context of your favorite Genevan bishop or Minnesotan pastor.
- Thomas C. Thornton, Theological Colloquies, or, A Compendium of Christian Divinity, Speculative and Practical, Founded on Scripture and Reason. Designed to Aid Heads of Families, Young Men About to Enter the Ministry, and the Youth of Both Sexes, in Their Efforts to Obtain and Communicate a Knowledge of True Piety. Yep, the way-too-long title should make obvious it’s an old book: Methodist scholar Thornton’s systematic theology from 1837.
- Roger E. Olson, “An Encouraging Message about Against Calvinism.” Some feedback about Olson’s book from someone alienated to God thanks to Calvinism.
- William Birch, “This Week in Arminianism.” What Arminians, and Arminian-related writers, were blogging about in February 2015.
Ten years ago! (2010)
- Martin Glynn, “Ephesians 2:8-9: A Devotion.” Salvation is through utter reliance and trust in Christ, not works.
- H.A. Ironside, “On Calvinism.” A few notes on what the scriptures do and don’t say—despite Calvinist beliefs.
- William Birch, “Church History vs. Calvinism.” In two parts. In Part 1, we see the views of ancient Christians on free will, election, and predestination all fall in line with Arminian beliefs. In Part 2, Augustine shows up and starts ruining things.
- Dan Chapa, “Friday Files.” A summary of the Opinions of the Remonstrants.
- Steve Witzki, “Messianic Jew David Stern and the Security of the Believer.” [PDF] Stern, author of The Jewish New Testament Commentary, comments on the New Testament in such a way as to suggest he’s Arminian.
- Ben Witherington III, Christian Apostasy and Hebrews 6. [PDF] An excerpt from Witherington’s The Indelible Image, in which he notes the author of Hebrews clearly allowed for the chance of apostasy.
- John Wesley, The Doctrine of Original Sin, According to Scripture, Reason, and Experience, in Answer to Dr. Taylor. [Google Books] Wesley’s 1756 rebuttal to deist John Taylor’s 1740 book, The Scripture Doctrine of Original Sin Proposed to Free and Candid Examination.
- Martin Glynn, “Ephesians 2:10: A Devotional.” Works isn’t the means of salvation; it’s the goal.
Today: Links!
Links and books! We have a whole page of them, and if you’re looking for stuff to read, some of those blogs have years of stuff on ’em. Years. Some have been around much longer than SEA’s site. So have fun exploring.
