Archive for 2013
A Calvinist Responds to My Article, and My Reply Follows
“In his book, Dr. Rogers writes, “…I mean that by grace, God gave man the ability to believe the gospel or not believe the gospel;…(thus the person has real free choice)” (p1) If God were to “equally” enable each person to believe the gospel then all would make the same decision, either all would choose…
Read MoreA Calvinist Response to an Article I Wrote for SBC Today
My disregard for Calvinism’s deterministic view of God’s sovereignty leaves a Calvinist to respond in the following manner, as if there is no option but God according to Calvinism. His statement, “It may not be as pleasant to view God’s sovereignty in this way, but what is the opposing view…that God is unaware of who…
Read MoreA Calvinist Asked Me This Question, and My Reply Follows
“If all men are under the same propensity to believe and under the same affects (sic) of the fall, what would make a believer better than a nonbeliever that he should choose Christ?” 1. The issue is not that a believer is better (that idea may arise from viewing my position through the lens of…
Read MoreTHE TULIP: The Petals and the Sepals (Leaves)
Before you make the TULIP your flower of choice, consider it in full bloom. TULIP is used acronymically to succinctly point out the major emphases of Calvinism. I well understand that the use of the TULIP does not fully illustrate the depth and breadth of Calvinism. I do understand that some believe the acronym has…
Read MoreThink About IT: Calvinism Confuses the Issues
Recently, a Calvinist asked me the following question in an all too common fashion. He asked, “Are you saying that for God to be the perfect sum of love He must offer the gospel to all men equally? To give each and every man ever born equal access to the Word?” Here is my answer.…
Read MoreOld Heresies in a New Age
Recently, Richard Harvey presented a very helpful paper in the Round Table in Ideology that dealt with A Christian consideration and appraisal of Monism and the New Age Movement. The difference between Eastern and Western civilizations is a deep-seated contrast in worldviews, even a divergence of the meanings of logic, truth, and reality. A clear…
Read MoreThink About IT: Forgiven!
If we truly appreciate being forgiven, we will forgive others. It is ironic indeed, for Christians to extol God for His immeasurable forgiveness of our sins in Christ, and yet shamelessly withhold such forgiveness from those who may have measurably sinned against us. If we truly appreciate being forgiven, we will forgive others. How could…
Read MoreThink About IT: Statistics of Christian Failures—Not So Accurate
Far too often, we hear a statistic and assume, with very little evidence, that it is correct. Particularly, and quite oddly, Christian pastors and leaders seem vulnerable to quickly incorporating such into their proclamations. For example, we are repeatedly told that Christian couples are divorced at the same rate as non-Christian couples. The clear implication…
Read MoreOne Man’s Suggestions for Calvinists and Non-Calvinists
This article appeared in two parts on April 4th & 5th on SBC Today. Although I no longer don the Calvinist label, I do continue to recognize the system of thought as an option within historic Christianity as well as Southern Baptist life. Further, I have no interest in personally attacking my Calvinist brothers’ and…
Read MoreThink About IT: A Voice from the Past Is Right Again
Many modern voices asseverate that the new definitions and models of morals, family, and marriage are the fuel to take America to the next level of freedom, but is that really where we are headed? Carle C. Zimmerman lived 1897-1983. He was an eminent Harvard sociologist. He looked at Greek and Roman civilizations and then…
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