ryan.the.calvinist

This continuing series is a look at C.S. Lewis’s views on Predestination and Free Will… Consulting the New Testament The New Testament is by no means silent on such matters, either. Though the command had repeatedly gone out, to everyone, to repent of sin and believe the gospel, [1] individuals do not, of their own decision, have the ability to obey this command. Jesus had claimed to be that which truly gives life and satisfaction – the bread of life from Heaven. The Jews then began to grumble about this – as they understood him to be the child of Joseph and an earthly mother. Jesus, however, assures them it is not worth grumbling about, because it is impossible for any person to come to Jesus, by repentance and faith, unless the Father draws him, and that person will be raised up on the last day. [2] This drawing is not a kind wooing or enticing attraction, but rather a dragging by the Father. [3] Furthermore, Jesus does not say, “No one may come to me unless the Father who sent...

This continuing series is a look at C.S. Lewis’s views on Predestination and Free Will… Consulting the Old Testament A discussion of any Christian theology necessarily requires consultation with an authoritative text: the Bible. Throughout the biblical narrative, there are numerous examples of God sovereignly electing individuals for his purposes. An early example, found in Genesis 6, is that of God showing grace to Noah. God’s choice to spare Noah and his family from his righteous judgment was not the result of any first action on Noah’s part. God did not save Noah because he was a righteous man who kept God’s commands. While the text records “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God” [1] , it does so only after first declaring that God had given grace to Noah. [2] Several other examples are prevalent throughout the Hebrew Bible – from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, to Joseph. Having been sold into slavery by his older brothers, Joseph was truly on the r...

This continuing series is a look at C.S. Lewis’s views on Predestination and Free Will… The Arminian and Calvinist Positions Compared Having defined terms relevant to the discussion of Reformed Theology and Arminianism, one may now be able to approach how these two very distinct theologies contrast with one another on five major parts of contention between the two camps: human ability to obey God, the cause of an individual’s election, the scope and  intent of Christ’s atoning work, the efficacy of the grace of God, and whether or not a Christian can lose his salvation. These five areas of theology and soteriology [1] are the major reasons there is disagreement between the monergists and synergists. While the details of Calvinist and Arminian positions are greater than this paper allows for discussion, the following chart [2] offers a brief comparison between the major differences and the emphasis held by each position. Arminian Position Calvinist Position Human Abil...

This continuing series is a look at C.S. Lewis’s views on Predestination and Free Will… The History of the Discussion – Pelagius & Augustine While obviously connected to the Protestant Reformation, much of the framework for the Calvinist-Arminian debate, in terms of the freedom and nature of the will, had been laid by St. Augustine of Hippo in his dealings with the teachings of Pelagius – who was later condemned by the Church as a heretic for his teachings. Pelagius had taken great exception to a prayer in Augustine’s Confessions, which read: “Give what you command, command what you will.” [1] His objection was that God would never command something if man was utterly unable to accomplish that command. [2] What stemmed from this debate was a view that came to be known as Pelagianism . This position holds that man’s ability to obey God, indeed his very nature, was unaffected by the Fall of Adam. [3] An appropriate analogy for Pelagianism would be that human beings are all bor...

“ My toaster doesn’t have a love button! ” “No! And neither does a robot!” [1] This exchange, neither written nor uttered by C.S. Lewis, certainly represents his theology concerning the notions of God’s sovereign decree in election and of man’s autonomous will to freely choose God. Discussions concerning the freedom of the will, and by contrast divine election, are visible throughout Lewis’ writings - from his fictional works to his BBC broadcast-inspired theological Mere Christianity. In his unpublished paper To Choose or Be Chosen: C.S. Lewis’ Contribution to Free Will and Predestination , Georgian pastor John Alexander attempted “to reconcile predestination and free will through Lewis’ works and examine Lewis’ impact on modern Christianity through this reconciliation.” [2] Such “reconciliation,” however, is not necessary to understand the impacts of both Reformed Theology and C.S. Lewis’ theology on Christendom as a whole. Lewis’ relevant writings clearly point to a synerg...

This is a chart I created for my paper on C.S. Lewis, Free Will, and Predestination, comparing the 5 Points of Calvinism to the 5 Points of Arminianism.   - Arminian Position - - Calvinist Position- Human Ability The Fall has damaged human nature, but not rendered it totally disabled. Human nature is not enslaved to sin, and is more or less sick. As a result, the unrepentant sinner’s ability to either freely choose or reject Christ is unaffected by the Fall. Total Depravity The Fall has not only damaged human nature, but has rendered it completely corrupted. Human nature is enslaved to sin, and even spiritually dead – unresponsive. This deadness makes him utterly unable and unwilling to ever choose God. Conditional Election God’s choice to save the sinner is based upon his knowledge of that sinner deciding to come to him, freely at a point in the future. The sinner’s choosing God does not depend on God’s first choosing him or her. Unconditional Election Go...

Two Calvinist-themed articles were posted today @ the Christian Science Monitor.  I will copy and paste the first... and then link to the 2nd tomorrow with some of my favorite quotes. // From total depravity to grace, the tenets of a theology undergoing a revival of Calvinism in America's Christian faith. By Josh Burek / March 27, 2010 Calvinism generally refers to five doctrinal points – Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints (or TULIP) – that were established after John Calvin died. Scholar Allen Guelzo, putting his interpretation on TULIP, says the doctrines explain the most basic questions any theology or philosophy can ask:   •Why are people the way they are? Total depravity – you're fully corrupted by sin. •How can people ever change? Unconditional election – God ch...

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 ...

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. Because these questions are quite common inquires into Reformed Theology, I figured it would be profitable to the body of  Chris t 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 #2: How do you know Ryan Gill is a chosen one (a member of the elect)? How do I , Ryan Gill, know I am "numbered among the elect"?  Simple:  I have responded to the Gospel call (to turn form my sin and believe/trust in Christ's atoning work alone to save) by r...

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. Because these questions are quite common inquires into Reformed Theology, I figured it would be profitable to the body of Chris t 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 #1: How does the Calvinist approach the Great Commission? Wouldn't the same "All" in ' All Power ' be the same as in " all nations "? 1.a. The Calvinist (or rather "Reformed") approach to the Great Commission is such :    " All authority in heaven and o...

The following... I would LOVE to say I came up with. But alas, I did not. It was compiled by another individual and made public on CalvinistCorner.com. I hope to someday do an in-depth blog about the issue MYSELF... but right now, I am posting this more as... a resource... to others AND myself... on God's sovereignty. From where I stand... the issue of Calvinism boils down to this question: Is God sovereign, or is man? If God is sovereign... is he not also sovereign in the salvation of man? If man, not God, is the final determiner in salvation... then man's "free will" has been made sovereign over God's divine sovereign will. Because in the Arminian view, if God wants man to be saved... but the man decides ... "nah, I don't want that"... then ... will the person be saved? Not from the Arminian mind-set. Because after all, that view leads to a God who is unable to save unto himself a people he purchased on the cross of His own will... ...