Search results for: grace-enablement
Calvinism Makes Conditional Prayers, Statements, and Commands Nonsensical
The Calvinist may respond that I err when I say determinism (compatible style) makes conditionals in the Scripture nonsensical. They would probably base this on the idea that, according to compatibilism, man is considered to make a free choice to meet or not meet the condition as long as he chooses according to his greatest…
Read MoreSome Thoughts on Creation, Sin, Depravity, and Redemption: Extensivism and Calvinism
God created the world in holiness, love, and grace. God provided sufficient grace for Adam and Eve and their offspring to live for Him in fellowship and holiness by means of His creative grace. Every aspect of His original creation was by grace. Adam and Eve possessed everything in superabundance to fulfill His will, to…
Read MoreFaith Precedes Regeneration and Revelation Precedes Faith: John Chapters 6, 3, and Matthew 27:42
Salvation begins with God revealing Himself to man. Man cannot find God unless He reveals Himself to man. God’s love for His creation is the reason there is a way for people to be saved from their just desert (John 3:16). Christ came into the world to save mankind, which means He had to pay…
Read MoreThe Exalted View of God in Scripture
The nature and attributes of God are seen not only in His person but in His creation as well. We are reminded, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse”…
Read MoreCalvinism’s Determinism Is Not Biblically or Practically Viable
Calvinism rejects libertarian free will and believes in compatible moral freedom, which means everything and everyone is micro-determined. The following are the definitions of the two perspectives. [1] Compatibilism Determinism and moral responsibility are compatible; hence, the name. This compatibility is not achieved by compatibilism being less deterministic than hard determinism. Rather, it is achieved…
Read MoreWhy Calvinism’s View of Free Will and Scripture Are Irreconcilable
Calvinism rejects libertarian free will and believes in compatible moral freedom, which means everything and everyone is micro-determined. For that to be the biblically reflective approach to understanding Scripture (what the Bible actually portrays and teaches), Calvinists would have to explain why the Bible, from Genesis two through Revelation twenty-two, is absolutely permeated with verses,…
Read MoreWhy Some Theological Non-Calvinists Identify as Calvinists
While many don the designation Calvinist because they have endeavored to learn all aspects of Calvinism and are thereby convinced that it provides the most cogent, comprehensive, and consistent grid through which to understand Scripture, others adopt the label less nobly. Of this latter kind, it seems to me many assume the title Calvinist because…
Read MoreDoes Calvinism Believe Man is Free, Determined, or Both?
I have a strong desire to enable people to more readily recognize the unmitigated determinism within every aspect of Calvinism. [1] This serves to make dialogue regarding the merits and liabilities of Calvinism clearer as well as enabling everyone a better opportunity to be aware of what they are actually embracing when they don the…
Read MoreCompatibilism and Libertarianism: A Summary
Much of the confusion in discussions between Extensivists (here used in place of non-Calvinists) and Calvinists is due to not understanding the different perspectives regarding man’s moral freedom. Calvinists believe man is free according to compatible moral freedom; in contrast, Extensivists believe man is free according to libertarian moral freedom. A clear understanding of these…
Read MoreGod’s Knowledge of the Future Requires Neither Passivity Nor Determinism
Calvinism believes that God knows what will happen in the future, including everything each person will do because he has microscopically determined that humans perform such actions through decrees and compatible freedom. In very stark contrast, Extensivism believes that God knows everything including everything each person will do as well, but for different reasons. Extensivists…
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