The Friday Files compiles links to posts from Arminian and other non-Calvinistic bloggers from around the globe. All links are offered because they are thought to be of potential interest to those who are interested in Arminian/Calvinist issues. Inclusion of links here does not necessarily mean the linked material is Arminian or carries SEA’s approval. Any commentary on highlighted material does not necessarily represent SEA’s viewpoint but belongs solely to the compiler.
- Matt, from his site A Theology in Tension, presents his post, “1 John 5:10-11: The Death Knell of Calvinism,” in which our author argues that “God’s testimony is a witness of divine truth meant for every person, but the person who refuses to believe in God’s testimony is essentially calling God a liar because ‘they have not believed the testimony; of what God has done for him and given to them (i.e. His Son and eternity found in His Son) (vs.10).” (emphasis added) If Calvinism is true, then that theological perspective presents problems for John’s declaration found at 1 John 5:10-11.
- Andrew, of Beyond Calvinism, offers a quote from Dr. Adam Dodds in his post: “Does a Classical Arminian View of Grace (Also) Lead to a More Missional Worldview?” He states, in part, that “God’s prevenient grace [is] particular and not universal because God’s self-revelation through the missions of the Spirit and the Church is specific and not general, most obviously through the communication of the gospel.”
- Mike Barlotta, of the blog Dead Heroes Don’t Save, writes “Measure of Faith,” a post in which our author asks the pertinent question: “Does the measure of faith given by God mean that saving faith is a gift?”
- The Society of Evangelical Arminians highlight Part Five of Dr. Ben Witherington’s review of Dr. Roger Olson’s Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities; Kingswood Hart’s “Background to Romans 9-11: Key Teaching from Romans 3:1-4:25“; Dr. Dale Wayman’s “Can One Be Both a Calvinist and a Molinist?” and Jeremy Ostrander’s “Life is Like a . . .“.
- Dr. Dale Wayman of IRONSTRIKES brings us “Us vs. Them,” highlighting the sin of segregation; “A Tale of Two Tensions,” a piece which emphasizes right and wrong motives; “Idolatry of the Heart,” a convicting read concerning how even good things can become deceptively idolatrous; and “On Idolatry,” a reminder that even love can turn tainted when focus is turn away from God and onto other objects — even people, objects of our desire.
- Dr. Craig Keener, of Bible Background, offers his work, “Joseph Meets His Brothers,” as he unveils a hidden truth regarding the brothers of Joseph and “nakedness”: “Joseph accuses his brothers of coming to see (literally) the ‘nakedness’ of the land of Egypt, which could apply figuratively to barren land. Throughout the Torah, however, the term especially refers to human nakedness, especially when it is shamefully exposed to others’ sight, especially close relatives’ sight. The term is used elsewhere in Genesis itself only for Ham seeing his father’s nakedness and his brothers covering that nakedness without seeing it (9:22-23). Joseph’s accusation rests on these brothers’ past behavior; they were the sort of people who would come to see nakedness, for they had once stripped him of his special garment (37:23).”
