General
Where I have a problem with Calvinism
Posted on February 1, 2012 by rogereolson
One commenter has raised a question about my statement that I have no problem with Calvinism in confessionally Reformed circles (churches, denominations, etc.). I made that statement in my previous post about my public conversation with Mike Horton.
So, let me clarify that.
First, by “no problem with” I don’t mean “agree with!” What I mean is, I don’t object to Reformed folks holding to their Calvinism within their own ecclesiastical settings that are confessionally bound. The same is true of many other doctrines with which I disagree in other confessional traditions (or non-confessional but with unwritten or supposedly non-binding statements of faith).
Calvinist doctrine leads to the conclusion that there is no sin in the world
Submitted by drwayman on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 8:26amThomas Taylor (1738-1816) writes, in his seminal work, “A Solemn Caution Against the Ten Horns of Calvinism" (1819):
“There is no such thing as sin in the world. Everything is just going on as he would have it to be; all are acting in the department of life which is appointed. Therefore, go, ye jolly drunkards, and jovial song-singers; proceed, ye numerous tribes of profane swearers and Sabbath-breakers; curse on, ye horrid blasphemers and swarms of liars; ye murderers, plunderers unclean profligates, ye are all doing the will of God, answering the great ends for which you were made.”
Taylor continues:
World Means World: Even a Child Understands This
This is a great commercial that was broadcast recently during an NFL game half-time show. It shows that World means World. Listen to the words of these children as they accurately quote and interpret God's Word: Focus On The Family, "John 3:16"
Scot McKnight, Entire Comparative Review of Horton's For Calvinism and Olson's Against Calvinism
Submitted by SEA on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 8:42amPlease see the attachment to view distinguished New Testament scholar Scot McKnight's entire comparative review of Horton's For Calvinism and Olson's Against Calvinism. The review was originally presented in 13 parts on McKnight's blog, and then included at this site also in 13 parts. Here it has been compiled into one file.
Dr. Phil Fernandes on Calvinism and Arminianism
A video of Dr. Phil Fernandes on Calvinism and Arminianism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AESUv09eXFQ
Dr. Fernandes, a 4 point Arminian and member of SEA, is President of the Institute of Biblical Defense (http://instituteofbiblicaldefense.com/). He is a Christian Apologist, Author and Pastor of Trinity Bible Fellowship. Dr. Fernandes holds the following degrees: Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion degree from Greenwich University, Master of Arts in Religion degree from Liberty University, Bachelor of Theology Degree from Columbia Evangelical Seminary.
He has authored 6 books: Contend Earnestly for the Faith, God, Government, and the Road to Tyranny, The God Who Sits Enthroned: Evidence for Gods Existence, No Other Gods: A Defense of Biblical Christianity, Theism Vs. Atheism: The Internet Debate, The Decay of a Nation
Thomas Osmond Summers' Systematic Theology
Thomas Osmond Summers' Systematic Theology a complete body of Wesleyan Arminian divinity, consisting of lectures on the twenty-five articles of religion--arranged and revised, with introduction, copious notes--and a theological glossary, Volume 2 - Pub. House of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1888 (link)
Arminian Teaching Series (Audio and Video) - Bruxy Cavey
Submitted by Kevin Jackson on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 7:36amBruxy Cavey, a pastor at a church called "The Meeting House", has recently done an excellent seven part series contrasting Calvinism and Arminianism. It is well worth listening to.
Cavey is Anabaptist, and he provides a unique perspective. He is a very rapid speaker, so you have to pay attention or you'll miss something. He is a former Calvinist, and articulates Calvinism very well (without making caricatures of it). He spends a lot of time addressing questions that Calvinists ask non-Calvinists (like the sovereignty of God, whether or not faith is a "work", etc).
He is irenic, and stresses the importance of Christian unity, and that neither Calvinism or Arminianism is the gospel. In the series he goes over all of the 5 points of TULIP. He addresses most of the the main scripture texts that both C's and A's appeal to. He also has a question and answer time in each session. And he even gets a marriage proposal. :)
Quotable Quotes - Steve Lemke on Irresistible Grace and the Ministry of Jesus
Submitted by Matthew Murphy on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 2:05pmIn his critique in Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism, Steve Lemke made some great comments about the doctrine of Irresistible Grace when viewed in light of Jesus' ministry:
Scot McKnight, "Calvinism: My History 2"
Submitted by SEA on Thu, 12/29/2011 - 10:45amFollow the link to view part 2 of distinguished New Testament scholar Scot McKnight's personal testimony of coming out of Calvinism for a more biblical evangelical view and his discussion of the warning passages in Hebrews: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/2011/12/07/calvinism-my-history-2/ .