Happy third day of Christmas! It’s the St. John’s Day edition of the Friday Files. Y’know how the media likes to look back at the previous year (and in years which end in 9, the whole decade) as kind of a quick ’n dirty way to fill time instead of coming up with new content?—’cause it’s the holidays, and they’re so hung over tired? Well, here’s what we do. But not just at the end of the year: We keep that nostalgia engine cranking every Friday.
These articles and links are felt to be of interest to SEA and our members. Their views aren’t always those of SEA; they’re not meant to be mere confirmation of what we believe. However, once contrary articles fully express what they believe, their unbiblical and illogical reasoning, offensive depictions of God and his loving nature, callous disregard for the humanity Christ Jesus loves and longs to save, sarcastic and angry and fruitless attitudes, or downright foolishness, confirms SEA’s views aplenty. Still, even when you read the contributions from SEA members (whose names are in blue), always read with discernment!
Articles are from the last week of December…
Last year! (2018)
- The Bible Project, “The Birth of Jesus—Gospel of Luke Ch. 1-2.” [YouTube] The fellas retell the birth of Jesus from the scriptures, with a bunch of historical context thrown in.
- Mildred Bangs Wynkoop, “Arminius’ Influence on the Wesleyan Doctrine of Holiness.” Salvation is in Christ alone, not some prehistoric arbitrary decree of God. So our choice to trust Christ really does matter.
- Vic Reasoner, “The Church.” [audio] In three parts: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Part of the FWS Podcast. Reasoner discusses the doctrine of the church.
- Mildred Bangs Wynkoop, “Wesley’s View of Grace.” God’s grace is the majestic expression of God’s great love, in action; his moral freedom, and the outflow of God’s personality. It’s not an impersonal power or thing. It’s God making himself known and available—limited only by our own grasp.
Five years ago! (2014)
- Craig Keener, “Did God Love the Egyptians?” After all, he did some awful things to them during the Exodus. But the purpose of these plagues wasn’t merely to free Israel, but turn their attention away from their idols to the true, living God.
- Roger E. Olson, “Whetting Appetites: A Preview of Deviant Calvinism by Oliver Crisp.” Having read the intro to Crisp’s book on variant beliefs within a movement that’s not as monolithic as you think, Olson’s looking forward to reading, and reviewing, the next chapters.
- Michael Pasquarello III, “The Meaning of Christmas.” [YouTube] Various thoughts on what Christmas means, and how it ties to Christology in general.
- Roger E. Olson, “Review of Oliver Crisp’s Deviant Calvinism Part One.” Going over Crisp’s first chapter, “Tradition, Faith, and Doctrine,” in which he defines his terms and authorities.
- Dan Chapa, “1 Corinthians 10:13 Teaches Libertarian Free Will.” Paul states God creates a way out of temptation. It’s difficult to square this passage with determinism or compatibilism—not that people don’t try.
- J. Matthew Pinson, “Thomas Grantham an Influence on Wesley’s View of Predestination.” John Wesley plagiarized Grantham a bit for his pamphlet A Dialogue Between a Predestinarian and His Friend. Seems he liked Grantham’s ideas on predestination.
- Billy Graham, “Heaven.” [YouTube] Unexpected tragedy could happen at any time. So are you prepared for heaven?
Ten years ago! (2009)
- Gerald Owens, “The Incarnation as Divine Self-Defintion.” Jesus emptied himself of his sovereignty, omniscience, and omnipotence—all the traits Calvinists value—yet remained God. Because God isn’t defined by Platonic ideals, but self-defined by his mercy, goodness, faithfulness, love, and justice.
- Steve Witzki, “Is Saving Faith the Act of a Moment or the Attitude of a Life?” [PDF] Duh; the second thing. Moderate Calvinists may disagree, but historically Calvinists have likewise believed “the initial decision must be perpetually implemented throughout the life of the believer.”
- Ben Henshaw, “Enjoying the Good News of Christ.” Which, declared the angel to the shepherds, is for all people.
- Steve Witzki, “Arminian Responses to Key Scriptures Used to Support Perseverance of the Saints.” [PDF] Various Arminian scholars and commentators on proof-texts used to defend perseverance.
- David R. Hunt, “Contra Hasker: Why Simple Foreknowledge Is Still Useful.” [PDF] A response to William Hasker’s article on why God’s simple foreknowledge is actually useless.
- Richard Coords, “New Book: John Calvin Goes to Berkeley.” Imagine an aggressive Calvinist pushing determinism at the Christian club at the University of California, Berkeley. Actually you don’t have to ’cause there’s a novel.
- Eric Landstrom, “Proof-texting Presuppositions with John 6:44, 65.” They totally support the Calvinist principles of predestination, individual election, eternal security, and regeneration preceding faith… once we carefully (or even not-so-carefully) follow the principles of eisegesis.
- Kevin Jackson, “A Problem for Open Theism.” Open Theists acknowledge Jesus foreknew certain events in his arrest. Problem is, they believe declaring these things would happen means now they must happen… and suddenly God becomes just as deterministic as Calvinists claim.
Today: Links!
We have a page of links and books. It’s great. It’ll give you more stuff to read, if that’s what you really want for Christmas.
