The biblical concept of mystery is simple. Mystery is an aspect of God’s plan which has not been revealed to humanity. Indeed, the biblical usage of mystery is always in anticipation of the mystery’s revelation.…
Calvinism
God
This post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
Many Calvinists argue that if God wanted to save people through Christ’s death and they don’t end up saved, God failed. But God can’t fail. So Christ’s death was never intended to save all people.
It’s important to distinguish the objects of God’s will. If He wants Himself to do something, His will is always done, for who can stop Him?
Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
But if He wants us to do something, His will may not be done.
“Reformed”
Recently, a very close friend of mine became a Calvinist. It was to be expected though, since he immersed himself with MacArthur and Piper and did absolutely no comparative research…none, nada, zilch. I challenged him…
The Unevangelized
This post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Owen’s Argument 2: P1: If Christ death is for everyone, and saves those that believe, all should…
Correcting Chistian Rapper Flame’s Theology
The Christian rapper Flame must not be your average rapper. I came across the lyrics of one of his songs. It is heavy with theology and is to be commended for being weighty. I suspect…
Laurence Womock, The Result of False Principles: or, Error Convicted by its Own Evidence
Laurence Womock (or Womack) (1612-1686) was an outspoken critic of Calvinism and the Synod of Dort. (link)
Calvinistic Controversy by Wilbur Fisk
A review of Calvinism, moral agency and accountability, total depravity, prevenient grace and regeneration, published in 1835. (link)
Assurance – Christ’s Death and Intercession (Part 5/5)
This post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Owen’s Argument P1: the strict connection between Christ’s offering and His intercession gives assurance to those who…
The Errors of Hopkinsianism by Nathan Bangs
This two volume work is a defense of Wesleyan/Arminianism against the modified Calvinism of Samuel Hopkins. The Errors of Hopkinsianism Detected and Refuted The Reformer Reformed or, A second part of The errors of Hopkinsianism detected…
C. Michael Patton Addresses the Unloving Attutude of Some Calvinists
C. Michael Patton has written a couple of posts on the tendency of fellow Calvinists to treat Arminians in an unloving way. Here are some of the relevant posts: Calvinists, Let’s Calm Down (5-15-09) Calvinists…
Calvinists, Let’s Calm Down
This was the title of irenic Calvinist C. Michael Patton’s recent blogpost. His motivation originated from (yet another) e-mail he received from a Calvinist concerning the “heresy” of Arminianism. Patton, though a committed Calvinist, attends…
Friday Files: Keith Schooley on Romans 9
In Keith Schooley’s Article: Romans 9: An Arminian/New Perspective Reading, he skillfully uses the OT to explain Romans 9. Paul refutes “those Jews who would say that, if Paul’s gospel were correct, then “God’s word…
Daniel Whitby, Discourses on the 5 Points
Warning: Whitby slighted the doctrine of original sin. But besides that, he had the loudest voice against Calvinism in his day. His classic work from 1735, which provides detailed scriptural explanations of large numbers of…
Is Intercession a Prayer? – Christ’s Death and Intercession (Part 4/5)
This post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Recap of Owen’s Argument P1: Christ’s intercession is not vocal or supplication, but rather a presentation of…
Is the High Priest doing His job? – Christ’s Death and Intercession (Part 3/5)
This post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ.
Here is Owen’s primary argument:
P1: A High Priest wouldn’t be fulfilling his duties if he offers a sacrifice on someone’s behalf, but didn’t intercede for them
P2: Christ is a faithful High Priest, fulfilling His duties
C1: therefore, Christ does not make an offering for someone without also interceding for them.
Scripture support for P1:
“If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 2:1-2
In support of his argument, he makes another:
P3: Christ offered His blood to God at the entrance of the holy place
P4: Christ entered the holy place by His blood to intercede for the elect
Daniel Gracely, “Calvinism: A Closer Look: Evangelicals, Calvinism, and Why No One’s Answering the Problem of Evil”
A book available to read online by Daniel Gracely: Calvinism: A Closer Look: Evangelicals, Calvinism , and Why No One’s Answering the Problem of Evil, published by Grandma’s Attic Press, © 2006-2009. Please note that…
Connection between Offering and Intercession – Christ’s Death and Intercession (Part 2/5)
This post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Owen’s Argument #1 P1: intercession is inseparably connected with oblation P2: Christ’s intercession is made for the…
First Installment of a Review of John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ
This post is an excerpt from the book review of Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Often Calvinists appeal to John Owen’s the Death of Death in the Death of Christ as the…
Daniel D. Whedon, *The Freedom of the Will as a Basis of Human Responsibility and a Divine Government*
Wesleyan-Armininan Daniel Denison Whedon’s response to Jonathan Edwards’ The Freedom of the Will is wonderful; both complete and acurate. (link) [This links to the original book available for free viewing or download.] The book has…
John Piper on Irresistible Grace
John Piper explains “Irresistible Grace”: “This is what we mean when we use terms like sovereign grace or irresistible grace. We mean that the Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit, and therefore he is omnipotent and…
