Friday, December 12, 2008

This Week in Calvinism - December 12, 2008

  • There are four main points to remember when discrediting Calvinism. First, single out one contemporary author or theologian to act as a representative for everyone else. Second, paint a negative picture of Calvinism by focusing on just one or two historical incidents (e.g. the execution of Servetus). Third, avoid using scripture to support your claims. The last thing you want is to have people studying the issue for themselves to see if what you're telling them actually makes any sense. Fourth, imply that while Calvinists may not say that those who disagree with them are lost, their theology actually demands that they believe it in their hearts. This last point is the most important because it trumps any argument the Calvinist may use in response. I mean, how much credibility can a guy have if he thinks everyone else is going to Hell?

  • Timmy Brister on the casualties of anti-Calvinism.

  • Regarding the turmoil over Calvinism in the SBC, Nathan Finn asks (and I'm paraphrasing here), "Can't we all just get along?"

  • And now back to Timmy Brister for his response.

  • Kevin Jackson believes that "Calvinist theology damages the body of Christ," and that "Calvinism is a distortion of the Gospel." I guess that explains why he became an Arminian.

  • Does Calvinism make the universal offer of the gospel insincere? No.

  • I've heard Calvinists called a lot of things, but "Pelagian"? That's a new one.

  • Is God a God of love or a God of wrath? "God expresses both love and wrath," writes Tim Challies, "but where wrath is demonstrated, love is personified. God is love."
on

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous12/14/08, 9:19 AM

    Also, when discrediting calvinism one must find anti-calvinist book like George Bryson's stuff. And make sure you find a few former calvinist since they are the resident experts on all things calvinistic and reformed.

    But, I'll say it again calvinism is like a beach ball, you can hold it down, but it will continue to pop up!

    Take care friend. I love this blog!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kevin Jackson12/28/08, 10:18 PM

    Thanks for the plug. As an Arminian I enjoy a lot of these links you come up with.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The White Man1/26/09, 11:37 AM

    "First, single out one contemporary author or theologian to act as a representative for everyone else."

    Actually, I listed a couple Calvinists from the 16th and 19th centuries. I take it for granted that I could have listed dozens from the 20th and 21st who said the same thing: that Calvinism is synonymous with the gospel truth. I could have mentioned Spurgeon too, except that he also loved and respected non-Calvinist theologians.

    Perhaps you can list one contemporary theologian who is loved and respected in Calvinist circles but isn't a Calvinist.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lee Shelton1/26/09, 12:22 PM

    Other than C. S. Lewis, I can't really think of any, but that doesn't mean we think they're lost. The fact is that most respected theologians were and are Calvinist.

    ReplyDelete