Some of you are asking if I think it is every appropriate to criticize the beliefs of fellow Christians and especially fellow evangelicals.  I can’t imagine where that question is coming from.  I thought I made clear that my concern is with premature criticism.  A basic axiom of all criticism is “Before saying ‘I disagree’ be sure you can truly say ‘I understand’.” I have experienced so much misunderstanding among evangelicals that I am very wary of most criticism I… Read more

Here we go again.  The self-appointed evangelical inquisitors are already attacking Rob Bell on the basis of a book not yet published.  If accounts (e.g., at Christianity Today’s web site) are correct, critic Justin Taylor read some chapters of the book.  However, to the best of my knowledge, he has not produced any direct quote from them that justifies the claim that Rob Bell has now adopted universalism.  Apparently, according to the CT report, John Piper has twittered a “goodbye”… Read more

This is a book everyone interested in Calvinism, whether for it, against it or simply thinking about it, should read.  I am told it will be available within the next few weeks if not already.  It’s an engaging read, very informative and stimulating. My review of it (separate from this one) will be published in May.  I’ll announce where later when I get final word of acceptance from the editors of the publication.  Here I will make a few remarks… Read more

First, let me define “paradox” as not everyone agrees on its meaning.  A paradox is an apparent contradiction.  There are actually not that many blatant contradiction that anyone tries to believe.  Few Christians claim actually to embrace sheer contradiction.  But many Christian writers, including perhaps especially Calvinists, claim to embrace paradoxes. For example: God designs, foreordains, renders certain and governs every decision and action of creatures (in such a way that they are not able to do otherwise) but they are… Read more

Please take the time to watch Arminianism: The Root of “Christian” Liberalism? on youtube.com.  I, for one, would like to know who these people are so that I can contact them to challenge their entirely fallacious attack on Arminianism.  Unfortunately, when you go to youtube.com and enter “Arminianism” this is one of the first things to pop up, so I assume many people have been influenced by it.  Watch it and comment here, please.  And if anyone can find out… Read more

I’m slowly working my way through an advance copy of a forthcoming book on Calvinism entitled Ten Myths about Calvinism: Recovering the Breadth of the Reformed Tradition by Kenneth J. Stewart to be published by InterVarsity Press in March. Kenneth Stewart is professor of theology at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA.  His academic credentials are impeccable (e.g., two doctorates, one from Edinburgh). Everyone interested in Calvinism and Calvinist theology ought to order a copy of this book and read… Read more

I have agreed with my Calvinist friends (such as Mike Horton) that American Christianity is by-and-large Semi-Pelagian.  Where I tend to disagree with them is that this is the same as Arminianism.  I have demonstrated conclusively in Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities that Arminianism is not Semi-Pelagian. What is Semi-Pelagianism?  It s a technical term used in the discipline of historical theology for the teaching of the “Massilians” John Cassian, Faustus of Riez and Vincent of Lyons (and others such… Read more

The owner of YouTube channel The Pristine Faith has posted a video where he apologizes to the church at large on behalf of Arminians.  He says he is one. His apology is for what he regards as Arminian churches’ lack of theological depth and rigor and emphasis instead on mass appeal and being relevant. I think it would be helpful if he named specific Arminian churches.  I wonder if he’s thinking stead of the ever popular folk religion of semi-Pelagianism?  Calvinists,… Read more

I have worshiped in many different kinds of churches.  Here I’ll focus only on Protestant ones. I’ve noticed a puzzling pattern.  Conservative Protestant churches (especially evangelical ones) tend to worship creatively, experimentally, enthusiastically, using contemporary styles of music.  The sermons are often illustrated or partly acted out.  A lot of technology is used depending on the church’s resources.  Often there are drums and guitars and even saxaphones (!) accompanying the music.  Seldom is an organ used. There seems to be an… Read more

Thoughts on God changing the past So, here is where I have come to on this subject as a result of the discussion happening here (which I invited). MOST (not all) respondents agree that God cannot change the past because of the nature of the past. Those who said God would not change the past because he foreordained it missed my point. My question was not about “would” but “can.” The Calvinist philosopher I mentioned (who denied that God can… Read more