Soteriology 101: Former Calvinistic Professor Discusses Doctrines Of Salvation

Dr. James White, on his Divinding Line program, addressed another one of my articles and this is my response. Below is a copy of that article from www.soteriology101.com   In order to prepare for a debate with Dr. James White I have been listening and reading through many various online discussions. Recently I have come across a troubling and quite confounding argument made by my Calvinistic friends. They seem to insist that all the heinous evil in our world must have been meticulously brought to pass by God’s sovereign plan otherwise it would prove (1) God has no purpose for evil's existence or (2) He is powerless to do anything about it. For instance, James White was asked, “When a child is raped, is God responsible and did He decree that rape?” He answered, “Yes, because if not then it’s meaningless and purposeless and though God knew it was going to happen he created it without a purpose… and God is responsible for the creation of despair… If He didn’t then that rape is an element of meaningless evil that

Professor Flowers reflects on his time in college with Matt Chandler and the similar journey into Calvinism being mentored by the same man.  Are people coming out of "Arminianism" into Calvinism in this modern day resurgence? Or are people coming out of ignorance of biblical doctrine into Calvinistic understanding?  There is a difference. Join the discussion at www.soteriology101.com

You have to listen to the intro song.  Why we all gotta be so rude? Why does this discussion turn sour so often?  What are some of the practical implications of our Theological perspectives?  Information on a possible up coming debate is coming soon! To join Professor Flowers in this discussion visit us at www.soteriology101.com

The song played is from the artist "Rakim: The 18th Letter" and can be purchased on itunes. We also play another clip from the Theology Unplugged podcast in regard to the appeal to mystery. Should we remain silent where scripture remains silent?  Is there anything wrong with saying "I don't know" when it comes to certain aspects of God's infinite ways? Most classical theistic scholars do not seem to think so.  Let's dive in! To join in the discussion with Professor Leighton Flowers go to www.soteriology101.com

Battle Hymn of the Republic by SHeDAISY (buy on iTunes) Today we talk about #the15, Ed Stetzer and other Southern Baptist Leaders in conflict over a variety of matters. I read an article from: AW Tozer (http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/tozer/5f00.0888/5f00.0888.01.htm) and Frank Violia (http://frankviola.org/2015/02/09/heresy/) To give some balance and biblical wisdom to how we are to respond to a percieved enemy and deal with conflict. To join the discussion with Professor Leighton Flowers at www.soteriology101.com

Dr. James White, host of The Dividing Line, responds to my article confronting my accusation against his inconsistency. Here is the article from www.soteriology101.com Calvinists (compatibilists) deny that the Bible teaches that man has a free will. They believe, rather, that God ordains all things that come to pass, including the homosexual’s choices, yet the homosexual is still culpable for his choices. Compatibilism, held to by most Calvinistic scholars, is a form of determinism and it should be noted that this position is no less deterministic than hard determinism (according to John Hendryx of monergism.com, Phil Johnson, and James White, to name a few). This simply means that God’s predetermination and meticulous providence is “compatible” with voluntary choice. They do not believe homosexual’s choices are coerced …i.e. the gay man does not choose against what he wants or desires, yet no gay man ever makes choices contrary to God’s sovereign decree. What God determines will always come to pass according

Join us as we answer common misconceptions raised by our Calvinistic brethren. Music: Jesus Paid it all by Fernado Ortega  www.soterology101.com

Calvinists (compatibilists) deny that the Bible teaches that man has a free will. They believe, rather, that God ordains all things that come to pass, including man's choices, yet man is still culpable for his choices. Compatibilism, held to by most Calvinistic scholars, is a form of determinism and it should be noted that this position is no less deterministic than hard determinism (according to John Hendryx of monergism.com, Phil Johnson, and James White, to name a few). This simply means that God's predetermination and meticulous providence is "compatible" with voluntary choice. They do not believe man's choices are coerced ...i.e. man does not choose against what they want or desire, yet no man ever makes choices contrary to God's sovereign decree. What God determines will always come to pass according to this system, which would include the homosexual's same sex desire and choice to act upon that desire. In light of Scripture, (according to compatibilism), a gay man's choices are exercised voluntarily bu

Response to Apologia Radio with Jeff Durbin and John Samson.  They discuss Calvinism in response to the angry rant of KJVO Arminian (Steven Anderson). I appeal to cordiality and aiming higher with those to whom we choose to engage over these discussions.  Has the scholarly SBC non-Calvinistic view of election been given ample consideration by Calvinistic bloggers and podcasters?  I think not! To join the discussion with Professor Leighton Flowers please visit www.soteriology101.com

No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief. - John Calvin   It is a gross misrepresentation of the Augustinian doctrine to say that it teaches that Christ suffered so much for so many; that He would have suffered more had more been included in the purpose of salvation. This is not the doctrine of any Church on earth, and never has been. What was sufficient for one was sufficient for all.   We affirm with Dort that no man perishes for want of atonement… –Charles Hodge   We reject the argument, If Christ made penal satisfaction for the sins of all, justice would forbid any to be punished…is incompatible with the facts that God chastises justified believers, and holds elect unbelievers subject to wrath till they believe. Christ's satisfaction is not a pecuniary equivalent, but only such a one as enables the Father, consistently with His attributes, to pardon, if in Hi

Ed Stetzer, President of LifeWay, moderates a debate between Frank Page (SBC President), Trevin Wax (TGC editor), and David Platt (President of IMB) over soteriology and missions.   Is anyone in Hell that God did not want there? Let's dive in! To join the discussion visit us at www.soteriology101.com 

Calvinist Batman and Friends puts out a podcast that recently critiqued the Traditional Statement of SBC as being "semi-pelagian."  I take this view to task and help to reframe the discussion so that we do not continue to talk past each other with the label and dismiss approach. To join the discussion visit us at www.soteriology101.com

Again we address the impractical implications of Calvinism.  This time by unpacking Wayne Grudem's teaching about the purpose and function of prayer.  If God has determined all things then why pray?  Does God really respond to us when we pray or is that just an illustion?  Let's dive in. If you would like to join our discussion please visit www.soteriology101.com  

We start by listening to a Hip Hop song about Election from "Face of the Deep" (www.truprophetsministries.com) which introduces a discussion on why Calvinism is seeing such a resurgence among the youth in this culture. To join the discussion visit us at www.soteriology101.com

If God determines whatsoever comes to pass then why has He determined more whites to accept Calvinistic teaching?  Is God a Racist? Today we engage with John Piper's response to a question regarding why so few blacks appear to be accepting TULIP theology.  Let's dive in! To join in the discussion, please visit us at www.soteriology101.com

How can God justly hold man responsible in the Calvinistic system? John Piper continues to give his answer to this question and finishes his teaching on Total Depravity.  We interact with each point in today's show.  Let's dive in! To join our discussion visit us at www.soteriology101.com

There is a podcast called "Theology Unplugged" with a group of Calvinistic brothers (Tim Kimberely, JJ Seid and Sam Storms) from Credo House Ministries in Oklahoma. In their most recent podcast titled, "Does God Choose People to Go to Hell," they discuss the issue of double predestination as it relates to the Calvinistic interpretation of Romans 9.  As is typical, they paint all non-Calvinists as believing the "foresight faith view" of election and thus never give a strong rebuttal to the most widely held scholarly perspective opposing their Calvinistic interpretation.   They are honest about the difficulties of the text and are sincere in their efforts to interpret God's Word.  However, they have misapplied the intention of Paul in Romans 9-11 to support their individualistic soteriological perspective causing unnecessary difficulty in accepting the text.   As a Calvinist, I had to learn that "the foresight faith view" was not the only scholarly alternative to the Calvinistic interpretation.   I had so sat

How does God hold man responsible when they are born unable to respond? Piper offers an explaination and explains the use of MEANS within the Calvinistic system.  But is his explaination satisfactory?  More importantly, is it biblically supported? Let's dive in!  To join our discussion visit us at www.soteriology101.com

Today we go through two different videos, one made a Calvinist and another by a Pelgian, to discover the truth of our history and the soteriological view found in the balanced middle. We will hear from Clement of Rome, commended by Paul Himself. We will hear from Ignatius, a disciple of the apostle John. And other earth church fathers as they taught on these doctrines. To join our discussion visit us at www.soteriology101.com

Dr. Dan Ferrell has a radio program called "It's Not Over" where he addresses the biblical doctrine of election from the Calvinistic perspective.  He makes numerous erroneous statements and uses proof texting to support his systematic.  We go through these point by point in today's program. To join our discussion visit us at www.soteriology101.com