Archives For Calvinism

That Thorny Doctrine Makes Me Sing

Erik Raymond —  September 18, 2012

I know the doctrine of predestination can be a thorny and contentious subject. Often times this is because it betrays popular conceptions about God and ourselves.

It is important to keep in mind that the Apostle tells us that this predestination of believers by God was done “in love” (Eph. 1.4). Whatever else follows must coming from this doctrinal spicket: God’s work of predestination is a loving work of predestination.

This morning my heart was arrested as I sat and chewed on various implications of this fact. Consider that if God had not decided, before the foundation of the world, to lavish you with his electing love then you would have remained in the throngs of self-love. Put it another way, if God did not so love you then you would have continued to love you.

This truth is simultaneously humbling and motivating. It humbles me to the dust because I know of my absolute inability and unwillingness to choose God. It motivates me to serve him, striving for holiness, because he has in fact so loved me!

While I don’t find the doctrine contentious it remains thorny. Every time I handle this truth it punctures my pride and reminds me of the goodness of the God who chooses to save sinners like me.

In Ordinary Pastor , , ,
permalink

Calvinism is the ‘Natural’ Reflex of the New Man in Christ (Packer)

Erik Raymond —  November 11, 2011

Below is a quote from J.I. Packer from his introduction to The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.  I appreciate Packer’s boldness and clarity here.  I am quoting from the recent book, In My Place Condemned He Stood, pp. 123-124.

“Now the real nature of Calvinistic soteriology becomes plain. It is no artificial oddity, nor a product of overbold logic. Its central confession, that God saves sinners, that Christ redeemed us by his blood is the witness both of the Bible and of the believing heart.

Continue Reading…

In Ordinary Pastor , ,
permalink

Some Clarifying Points from Yesterday’s Post

Erik Raymond —  August 16, 2011

Just a quick note of follow up from yesterday’s post.

1) I was pleased to read the Grace to You Blog’s response. I appreciate the tone that was struck in that article and the attempt to highlight the maturity, experience, and care of Dr MacArthur along with the initial concerns.

2) I wrote my post because I thought the original GTY post was an unfair and overly broad characterization of a large, undefined group of people. I was individually linked among this group as a bad example or at least an example to make the author’s point. In my view this needed to be addressed and corrected.

3) As I had hoped to make clear in the post, I am still a beneficiary of Dr MacArthur’s ministry. His books litter my desk as I write at this moment and his sermons jam my iPhone. I recognize the body of his work is nearly unmatched. Please don’t get the wrong idea from me on this. I think you can disagree without discarding someone–especially someone I have benefited from so greatly.

4) I also recognize that there are young Reformed guys who are doing and saying things that not only would Dr MacArthur be not comfortable with but neither would I (because of how it intersects with Scripture). I think this is valid and timely point to make. However, it should be made in clear, specific terms. In short, I think there may be reason to point out some of these issues but it should be done in a far more nuanced and charitable way.

5) From my perspective the issue is done. I responded to an article and am done. Thanks for the comments, tweets, and messages–whether affirmative or negative they serve to make me think and evaluate. I apologize that I can’t get to all of them, but things are actually quite busy on my end. I will try in the near future to do so. But in the meantime, please know that I appreciate the way in which the Lord uses these things.

In Ordinary Pastor , , , ,
permalink

When Christians Act Like the ex-Chain Smoker

Erik Raymond —  March 21, 2011

There are many things about the Christian life that are a mystery to me. One of the things that is a mystery and that chaffs my spirit is when a Christian begins to get something and then goes militant against his former ilk. You know what I mean; they begin to understand something theologically profound and impacting and then they are ready to shred anyone of their former friends because they do not get it.  Often times the refrain, “I can’t believe they don’t get this. Are they blind?!”

A friend of mine has likened this to the ex-chain smoker who now can’t stand people who smoke. The guy used to suck down cigs like slurpies but now he is free from that vice and everyone else is suddenly an idiot.

This happens a lot with Calvinists. We begin to understand (notice–begin) the doctrines of grace and we have little patience for those foolish Arminians. Why is it that we can hold to a system that emphasizes the soveriegnty and grace of God at such a premium, but at the same time we are ready to mow down anybody who does not sign off their email with Soli Deo Gloria (which I do by the way–because I mean it and want to be safe). After all, isn’t the understanding we experience as Christians a result of God’s grace? Or does this just come as a result of our superior smarts?

Continue Reading…

In Ordinary Pastor , ,
permalink

The Achilles Heal of The Reformed Resurgence

Erik Raymond —  November 11, 2010

This is a great word to younger, seemingly hungry God-centered guys. Piper stands prophetically on the street corner and is asking questions. He sees the ‘loose wires’ and is basically asking, “What is up with that?” (in his folksy Piper-ish way). I like it because I see and hate the disconnect in my own life. I think we do well to listen to the wise, loving observation of this brother.

(ht: Justin Taylor)

In Ordinary Pastor , ,
permalink

A Little Monday Morning Humor…Arminian Basic Training

Erik Raymond —  May 24, 2010

This is just funny. Love the Bible highlighter bit. And it is funny…errr….sad that Erasmus gets burned instead of Servetus.

ht: James White

In Ordinary Pastor , ,
permalink

When Christians act like the ex-Chain Smoker

Erik Raymond —  April 20, 2010

There are many things about the Christian life that are a mystery to me. One of the things that is a mystery and that chaffs my spirit is when a Christian begins to get something and then goes militant against his former ilk. You know what I mean; they begin to understand something theologically profound and impacting and then they are ready to shred anyone of their former friends because they do not get it.  Often times the refrain, “I can’t believe they don’t get this. Are they blind?!”

A friend of mine has likened this to the ex-chain smoker who now can’t stand people who smoke. The guy used to suck down cigs like slurpies but now he is free from that vice and everyone else is suddenly an idiot.

This happens a lot with Calvinists. We begin to understand (notice–begin) the doctrines of grace and we have little patience for those foolish Arminians. Why is it that we can hold to a system that emphasizes the soveriegnty and grace of God at such a premium, but at the same time we are ready to mow down anybody who does not sign off their email with Soli Deo Gloria (which I do by the way–because I mean it and want to be safe). After all, isn’t the understanding we experience as Christians a result of God’s grace? Or does this just come as a result of our superior smarts?

We see it with people who were trapped in legalistic thinking as well. Now they are free in grace. But only if this freedom involves loading, unloading, and mercilessly reloading on all who may not be as mature in the gospel as they are.

Perhaps it would be helpful to remember that we are never glorified this side of heaven. We still have miles to go before we stand in that ‘to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ’ (Eph. 4.14). And furthermore, anything that we have learned we should praise God for and not pound our chests for. Remember Paul. He did not go ‘ex chain smoker’ on everyone when he contended for the gospel. He was actually loving, charitable, and gracious. This he did without compromising biblical fidelity and a burden for people.

Maybe we need to read and remember his words to the inverted, gospel-marginalizing church of Corinth:

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1 Cor. 4.6-7)

In Ordinary Pastor ,
permalink