Posted on 03/16/2009 2:35:40 PM PDT by Davy Buck
Now comes Time Magazine with a piece saying that Calvinism is back as a dominating force in American culture. What does this mean for our future, politically and culturally. . .
(Excerpt) Read more at oldvirginiablog.blogspot.com ...
Calvinism is huge. I see stickers of that kid on vehicles everywhere.
Hobbes is running a close 2nd.
Why does he hate Chevy so much?
Lots of characatures of “Calvinism”. What flavor is this? Most of the folks that teach a Reformed view, such as RC Sproul, don’t really have a hard edged political agenda. That they observe that the Scriptures set out the idea that God manages every detail of all that is occurring, thus giving rise to pre-destination and election, doesn’t seem to be the prevailing view that I notice. Most are turning to the Arminian view of self-determination ala Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, et al.
Read the Times piece. They’re talking in general terms and speaking of a “modern version” - oh boy.
In any event, there are some valid points.
The Reign of the Servant Kings
A Study of Eternal Security and the Final Significance of Man
by Joseph C. Dillow
This outstanding presentation and defense of the Free Grace position covers nearly every passage and subject in the Gospel debate. It is a valuable resource for the pastor, elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, or anyone with an interest in Gospel issues.
Reviews from the back cover
In this penetrating critique of Westminster Calvinism, Dr. Dillow has given us a comprehensive discussion of eternal security and rewards. By constant appeal to Scripture, the biblical doctrine of eternal security is supported instead of the Reformed doctrine of perseverance. This scholarly and well-written book should be read by all pastors and students of the Word who are interested in the doctrines of grace. A TRULY LANDMARK BOOK!
Charles C. Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D.
Author of Ryrie Study Bible
Former Dean of the graduate school at Dallas Theological Seminary
Here it is at last! For over 25 years I've been waiting for a book that would present the Biblical recognition of the doctrine of rewards as it relates to the full-orbed teaching of salvation. This book does it, and does it beautifully! . . . Dr. Dillow's Reign Of The Servant Kings may well be the most significant contribution toward resolving the several hundred year debate between Calvinism and Arminianism.
Earl Radmacher, Th.D.
President Emeritus, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary
Rev 3:5 5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (NKJ)
My emphasis was on the cultural impact of Calvinism, not the details of a doctrinal discussion.
The current fashion of liberalism is based upon the ideal that "Judge not that you be not judged", means that you can't judge their actions. Whereas the verse in context means "Judge not" - The Son of Man - That you be not judged.
Also Calvinism refutes universal salvation - the idea that all are saved so they participate in active sin as much as they desire. This through the L of Tulip - Limited Attonment.
If the doctrine is not defendable then what harm will it have on culture?
They're more like marching orders for people who are stupid enough to listen to what Time magazine has to say.
I do see that paleoconservatives are playing up a Calvinistic emphasis on limits and restraints.
This isn't so very different from what happened 70 years ago during the Great Depression: disillusionment with globe-trotting and a return to localism and the land.
Waste and haste replaced by thrift and honest toil.
But the paleos have been lecturing this for almost two decades already and the idea has lost its freshness.
A return to Calvin or to the land sounds nice, but like everything else, people will tire of it soon enough.
this was inevitable...
Sigh ... you’re right.
Don’t be a closet Calvinist, it just not God’s Will...
All I need to know.
“Reformed Theology cuts through the cr$p of Liberalism like a knife through soft butter.”
Yes, but unfortunately Calvinism also plows though the Scriptures like a bull in a china shop.
I’m kind of stuck in a Reformed church right now, but it’s proving very motivational to me to do in depth study of the work of Chafer, Walvoord, and Dillow, etc, since it clarifies why those men broke from the strict Reformed traditions.
Such broad insinuations without proof. But in the spirit of the Bereans, I will give you the first shot at those. the First point of Calvinism is based upon Romans 3 "There is none that Seeks for God", "There is none that does Good", no not one" to both.
The First Point of Calvanism is that man is thoroughly and Totally Depraved to the level that God permits. That sin is terrible and that man's kinds default condition is Not seeking God, Not doing any Good in God's sight and being thoroughly and truly Dead in Trespasses and Sin from the get go.
God buttresses this with two identical Psalm from which the Roman Road is taken. Psalm 14 and Psalm 53. In which it clearly states:
Psalm 14:2 "The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Thus there was not one who sought for God on their own throughout History.
Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ confirms this in John and repeats it in John 6:44 and John 6:65:
44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day
65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
So if the the Lord Jesus Christ, the Psalms and the Apostle Paul say "No One" comes on their own power. How then do the they do it, under the power of their own free will, being Dead?
How then could the Lord Jesus Christ be wrong in saying "Unless the Father draws.. Unless the Father has enabled him"??
God has done much more than you think, and the issue you are having with Calvinism is not with Calvin, but the need to examine the Scriptures and ask what they mean from the Holy Spirit of God, our teacher, just as all of us do.
I look forward to hearing what you believe of these Scriptures.
++++++++++++++++++++
Psalm 14:2 "The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Thus there was not one who sought for God on their own throughout History.
Have you looked carefully at those Psalms? If you go back to them I think you will notice that there are two distinct sets of people in them. Look at this... God looks down from heaven They have all fallen away; but look here... have those who work evil no knowledge, There they are, in great terror, Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! Do you see that? There are two groups in that passage. There are the "children of men" and there are the "people of God". The children of men are corrupt, fallen away, don't call upon God and are oppressors of God people. How can these Psalms be used as a universal declaration of condemnation against all humans if it is clear that all humans are not in it's purview? There is the set of "my people" who are not given the same description as the "children of men". ++++++++++++++++++++ "Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ confirms this in John and repeats it in John 6:44 and John 6:65:44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day 65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.""
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." - John 12 This undercuts the Calvinist doctrine that God only draws the elect. +++++++++++++++++++ "So if the the Lord Jesus Christ, the Psalms and the Apostle Paul say "No One" comes on their own power. How then do the they do it, under the power of their own free will, being Dead?" I need some clarification. Would you say that a person is "dead" before they are born again or experience spiritual regeneration? To use your words, they are, "Not seeking God, Not doing any Good in God's sight and being thoroughly and truly Dead in Trespasses and Sin" ? Does this describe the preregenerate person? In other words, a person without the Holy Spirit? Thanks and look forward to your thoughts.
on the children of man
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.
together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and do not call upon God?
where there is no terror!
For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you;
you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
But what else do we see in John...
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