It’s the St. Katherine Luther Day edition of the Friday Files, SEA’s weekly look into the articles and links that fill our archives. The views expressed in them are frequently those of SEA, but not always. Our members’ names are in blue. Articles are from the third week of December…
Last year! (2018)
- Justin Brierly, “Why Both Atheists and Christians Need to Believe in Free Will.” Determinism is growing in popularity among atheists, largely because it absolves them of responsibility. But it undermines their worldview, because it means they came to their beliefs through a non-rational process.
- Michael Brown v. Sonny Hernandez, “For Whom Did Christ Die?” [video] A radio debate on the extent of Christ’s atonement.
- Adam Ford, “Santa Claus Converts to Calvinism, Moves Everybody to Naughty List.” A little satire from the Babylon Bee. [Yeah, you laugh, but didja realize the premise is Calvinists don’t do grace?]
Five years ago! (2014)
- H. Orton Wiley, “Prevenient Grace.” On the grace the Holy Spirit grants to humanity, which prepares the soul for salvation.
- Gene Brode Jr., “Calvinism vs. Arminianism: Should We Tell Unbelievers That God Loves Them?” Since they figure God only loves the elect, certain Calvinists are hesitant to tell unbelievers God loves them, lest they offer false hope.
- Strider MTB, “God’s Exploitation of the Devil’s ‘Thorns.’ ” To what degree is God involved, or even complicit, in the devil’s thorns in the flesh?
- Murray Vasser, “Jonathan Edwards vs. John Piper: A Critique of Does God Desire All to Be Saved?” In his 2013 book, Piper tries to explain how God might limit atonement to the elect, yet still want all to be saved. But his argument runs contrary to one of his heroes, Jonathan Edwards.
- Roger E. Olson, “Can a Single Act Be Both Determined and Free?” No; the ideas logically cancel one another out.
Ten years ago! (2009)
- Ben Henshaw, “John Calvin Personally Admits to Killing Servetus.” He was kinda proud of it too.
- SEA Admin, “Al Jolson vs. Toby Mac Theology.” Determinism and free will, as described in pop songs.
- “Robert,” “Outcomes, Foreknowledge, and Free Will.” Knowing the future doesn’t eliminate free will.
- SEA Admin, “The Lazy Man’s Guide to Refuting Edwards and Compatibilism.” If you want to know an argument against compatibilism, but don’t care to read up on it… well here’s something relatively short. (It’s not that short.)
- John Jefferson Davis, “The Perseverance of the Saints: A History of the Doctrine.” [PDF] How the idea of perseverance developed through history. (It’s by a Calvinist theologian, but he’s not defending his view; just laying out history.)
Today: Links!
Take a good look around our links and books page. It’ll answer the question, “You got anything else?” Of course we do.
