Monergy or Synergy?
Just so you know it may be some time before I get to the Limited Atonement post because I want to be careful with this one. Limited Atonement is the one doctrine of the five points that I am least sure of. Don’t think that means that I deny it. I believe in Limited Atonement, but I have the problem of not understanding it quite as well as I do the others. So I’m going to take some time to research it a little deeper than I’ve researched the others. I’m going to look at this one from both sides, so who knows we may all be surprised by the results.
This is probably the best time of any to mention that I am not writing this blog, and these posts on Calvinism, as a categorical systematic eisegetical defense of my unwavering belief in hardcore 5-point Calvinism. I believe in 5-point Calvinism, but I do not do so without trying to consider and reconcile the objections raised by skeptics. I also do not care if I disagree with any Calvinists on the particulars (most of it is equivocation anyway). I don’t even care if I disagree with Calvin himself. I care only that I represent soteriology accurately as it is in the Bible. I only care that I agree with Christ and his apostles.
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On Whether God Elects Unconditionally
Preemptive Disambiguation
Having looked more in depth at these doctrines over the last year and a half or so, I’ve been surprised by how much variance there is in opinions. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, but it appears that there is a great amount of equivocation on all sides. We each seem to have a different definition of what each term means. So in order to make it plain what I’m talking about, I will define what I mean by Unconditional Election:
In my estimation, the doctrine of Unconditional Election states that God, for no other reason than his own sovereign choice, has chosen who among the race of Adam would be saved.
I’ve decided to tackle this one in Thomistic style:
Behind the Scenes of the Gospel
In 2 Corinthians 3&4, Paul discusses an important aspect of his ministry. Now if you’ve ever studied 2 Corinthians as a whole, you will have noticed that one of the common themes is Paul’s Apostolic authority. It seems that he had come under attack from those connected to the Corinthian church - be they members or dissenters. One of the major reasons Paul wrote the book was to address this question, and in 2 Corinthians 3&4 we see part of it emerge. (more…)
Is Calvin Defeated by Responsibility?
A very important question has been raised in our discussion, so before I go on to my next post, I think it bears addressing. The question is about human responsibility in light of the sovereignty of God and his electing purpose. How can Calvinism be true and man be responsible for his actions? (more…)
It’s About Time!!
This has been a long time in the making! Remember last time I talked about what I don’t believe regarding Calvinism? I said that it appears people think I believe that when someone comes to Christ, God must first make sure they are on the “Election List” before accepting their faith/repentance. I refuted this saying it’s not what I believe. Anyone who comes to Christ truly will be saved. This is not to say that everyone who comes is saved, for Christ Himself said there will be those who call on Him in vain. No, only those who come to Him truly will be saved.
So the question, then remains, what do I believe? If God does indeed save anyone who comes to Him, why do I believe Calvinism? Doesn’t Calvin teach that only those whom God has chosen will be saved? If you’re asking these questions, then good. I think you are starting to discover the nature of the problem. Many people reject Calvin on these grounds, and they do so to their detriment because they reflect misunderstandings about what Calvinism is. The short answer to the question is that nobody who is not already on the “Election List” will come to Christ. They cannot, for they are not elect. (more…)