ryan.the.calvinist

Here is the preference of my English Bible translations... hopefully in some accurate order: 1) English Standard Version (ESV) - Highly accurate yet easily readable.  Recommended by John Piper, Mark Driscoll, Joshua Harris, etc. 2) New King James Version (NKJV) - Revision of the King James, yet some language has been eased over to make it more accessible.  3) New American Standard Bible (NASB) - VERY strict translation from the original language to the English language.  The problem may occur, however, when some of the meaning may get lost in the translation itself, due to the rigid translation of words. 4)  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) - Slightly loser than ESV, but still very accurate.  If I remember correctly, this is a publication of LifeWay - the publishing and retail arm of the Southern Baptists. 5) New International Version (NIV) - Most read English translation today and has been for several years.  It is more of a functional or m...

Reason #213 why use great discretion when using the TNIV (Today’s New International Version): Though it may clarify some passages, it muddies up others, and attempts to draw a distinction where one need not be in the original Greek. Specifically, see 1 Peter 1:2 and 1:20 in the TNIV (and NIV). Christians are said to have “ been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father .”  Fair enough translation.  Yet when the same meaning is conveyed to be speaking of Christ a few verses later, the translators opted to use “ chosen ” only, and leave out “ foreknowledge “… even though the actual word in Greek both instances is explicitly foreknowledge ! Understand… I am not quibbling that the TNIV (or any other version) is taking words OUT of the Bible… as many KJV Onlyists do.  I recognize that difficulties in translating between Hebrew and English and Greek and English exist.  The problem is that the meaning of the text itself seems...

I recently received a series of questions from a good friend dealing with some issues/objections she had with Calvinism/Reformed Theology. I truly appreciated the opportunity to share what I explicitly believe in the realm of the Doctrines of Grace with her, and humbled she came to me to know how a Calvinist deals with each of these questions. This is a continuation of this series. Because these questions are quite common inquires into Reformed Theology, I figured it would be profitable to the body of Christ for me to post my answers here as well. Perhaps I will continue on beyond her questions in writing on/replying to other objections common to Calvinism. Again, I hope this is useful to all who read this. Question #4: Who would be more loving - someone who chooses to be with you because that person loves you, or someone who is forced to be with you? I am fairly familiar with this question, though in a different way: the "divine rapist" argument. I would st...

If God’s foreknowledge is merely foresight… or future-seeing… and God is truly actively trying his hardest to save everyone – but will ultimately fail b/c not all will abide in him… doesn’t God know that his attempts are futile?  Why is he then wasting his time?

I recently received a series of questions from a good friend dealing with some issues/objections she had with Calvinism/Reformed Theology.  I truly appreciated the opportunity to share what I explicitly believe in the realm of the Doctrines of Grace with her, and humbled she came to me to know how a Calvinist deals with each of these questions.  This is a continuation of this series. Because these questions are quite common inquires into Reformed Theology, I figured it would be profitable to the body of Christ for me to post my answers here as well.  Perhaps I will continue on beyond her questions in writing on/replying to other objections common to Calvinism.  Again, I hope this is useful to all who read this. Question #3: How does this affect your approach to ministry (ie: the homeless guy sitting on the side of the road)? It gives me a great boldness in the presentation of the gospel.  I can firmly proclaim the truth, unwatered ...