Featured The rise of Calvinism?

I used "if" in the same way it is used in Matthew 24:24, "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." (emphasis mine)

I supposed anyone can tinker with anything. I am keeping to the majority opinion of definite atonement which is Christ died for the sins of the elect (and to secure their salvation).

 

No, it's professors who are expected 'to teach in accordance with, and not contrary to" it.

here is the brief Abstract of Principles:

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

 

What I am presenting may not be the "majority opinion." "Broad is the way... and many..."

What I am attempting to present (though admittedly most poorly) is that the Calvinist presentation on the limited atonement should not be based upon a payment of sin, for certainly those who are unredeemed do die for that is the certain wage of sin. Nor am I presenting that sin is not still a matter that plagues every believer or 1 John would not be so precious.

Sin is alive and well in all. For all die.

What I am presenting is that the limit is found in another aspect of the atonement.

A more Scripturally supported limit.

That limit is in the ability to believe.

It is that ability in which is held in the sole authority of the Father and passed to the Son. (John 1, John 3, John 6, ...)

 

Brother, I do not believe it is an either/or proposition. Christ's death did accomplish atonement for the sins of the Elect. Christ laid down His Life for His sheep (John 10:15). Of course, that means that only those predestined to be sheep are able to believe.

 

Trevin Wax assessed the characterizations made about the seminary in Calvinist hype man Collin Hansen's book Young Restless & Reformed :

"Collin does not do justice to the diversity among Southern’s faculty. Not one of the deans currently serving at the seminary is a five-point Calvinist."

"Furthermore, the three students Collin highlights were all of Calvinist persuasion before coming to Southern....Collin devotes several pages to telling Timmy Brister’s story. I sometimes wonder if Timmy Brister and I attend the same seminary. Collin writes about Timmy 'giving seminary leaders an earful...[about] chapel speakers'....It saddens me that for some Southern students, inviting to chapel a Baptist brother with whom we share strong ecclesiological ties, but who doesn’t subscribe to Calvinist soteriology would be more controversial than listening to someone like R.C. Sproul or Ligon Duncan....If we can learn from those who disagree with the Abstract on a doctrine as important as baptism, surely we can learn from someone who disagrees with unconditional election."

 

I agree.

Christ laid down his life for His sheep. His purpose was accomplished, but not just for His sheep. But for all creation, for just as the Redeemer explained to Nicodemus, God's love for the Creation (kosmos) is expressed in giving the Son.

 

"Reformed,

 

There is no such thing as a nominal Christian. One is either a Christian or he is not.

I am not bothered by the fact that as a Calvinistic, covenantal, and confessional Baptist I am in the minority compared to professed Christians in broad evangelicalism. This is not a popularity contest. My desire is to know and follow the truth.

 

Is your statements not following what Paul said,

7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.​

This is the heart of the true believer.

However, it doesn’t end in what the ungodly may consider selfishness, rather that concern for others reflected by even the Redeemer on the cross, who in the depths of agony cared for others more than Himself. That mission expressed in us, too.

17Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
​

 

Yes Agedman, enemies of the cross of Christ. We are fooled from time to time...Jesus is never fooled.

 

Thanks. It ensures all professors are Calvinists. One can not logically embrace Unconditional Election without embracing the other 4 points.

 

I agree but this does not mean there are multiple truths on the same issue. A Synergist brother may be completely convinced that his view his correct based on his study of the scriptures. Likewise, I am totally convinced that the Monergist view is correct based on my study of the scriptures. Both of us may have goodwill towards the other but we both believe the other is wrong. Depending on the importance of the disagreement we may choose to just put it aside and continue on. Some disagreements make continued partnership in ministry untenable. Those are bridges to be crossed at that time.

 

I had a professor that once said, "Hold on to your theological convictions strong enough that they are secure but loose enough that you can easily drop them if you later find out they are wrong."

 

Truth is God given. A natural man cannot come to truth unless and until God allows him to.
Among actual Christian's spiritual maturity is a factor.
Many factors hinder people from arriving at truth.
Many times they have not heard it actually preached and taught.
Others settle for routines and carnal substitues.
Many are prideful and God resists them .
Some get a prophecy sweet tooth.
Others invent novelties.
I have even seen people who do not post unless it is rejoicing over the fall into sin of a professed Christian, or a ministry falling into sin. Truth is not coming their way anytime soon.
If someone sets sail with the intent to oppose truth, they often times succeed.