The Calvinist International
I want to put forth an argument against Arminianism based upon an internal flaw within the Arminian scheme of predestination. My argument, simply stated: “The Arminian position on predestination is inescapably Calvinistic (of sorts). Because this is so, the only option is to embrace open theism or Calvinism.” In the sixteenth century, the Roman Catholic […]
Kirk MacGregor, Luis de Molina, Zondervan, 2015, 288 pp. We warmly thank the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review. As with the early modern period, there is much about Luis de Molina that we really don’t know. In hopes of shedding some light upon this enigmatic figure, Dr. Kirk […]
In the Enchiridion Theologicum, Niels Hemmingsen urges that any ideas we have about “the mystery of predestination” must be taken only from the Word and not “from reason.” Otherwise, trouble awaits, in the forms of Stoicism and Epicureanism: Regulae itaque observandae hae sunt: Prima, Nequaquam ex ratione, sed ex solo verbo Dei nobis patefacto, iudicandum est […]
In this recent post, Roger Olson has attempted a deflationary argument against any argument presented in favor of a Reformed doctrine of election. His argument seems to be that (a) we can only trust the Bible if God is trustworthy, (b) we can only be confident that God is trustworthy if He does not violate […]
Introduction Like many who consider themselves Reformed (of the “young and restless,” confessionalist, or whatever varieties), I was introduced to the world of Reformation theology through the doctrine of election. And like many within this camp (especially the “young and restless”), the doctrine of predestination composed a significant portion of my younger self’s identity. It […]
Pierre Bayle provides his reading of the status quaestionis regarding the reception of Augustine, particularly with respect to the bishop of Hippo’s soteriology, among the Calvinists, Dominicans, Jesuits, and Arminians in the Reformation and post-Reformation era: The approbation which councils and popes have given St Augustin, on the doctrine of grace, adds greatly to his glory; […]
Since we often criticize First Things for a sort of faux ecumenism, it’s only fair that we point out when they engage in the real thing. James Rogers points out what is obvious to anyone who has ever read Calvin, predestination is not that big of an issue for him. Oh sure, he believes in it and […]
Donald Macleod has posted a helpful reflection on the problem of the term “Calvinism.” Dr. Macleod’s concerns nicely compliment my own qualifications regarding the term. Basically, it is a mistake to identify what now goes by the name “Calvinism” as an actual product of the life and theological contributions of the historical John Calvin. The […]
Too often historians and philosophers will use the terms “Thomism” and “Calvinism” as contraries. While there are certain important points of difference between individual Thomists and Calvinists (isn’t that about the blandest of qualifications?), when it comes to the question of divine sovereignty and foreordination, the difference really is non-existent. To demonstrate, I only ask […]
The following passage comes from Augustine’s Questions on Exodus, which forms Book 2 of his Questions on the Heptateuch. The Quaestiones in Heptateuchum was written in AD 419; Allan Fitzgerald comments that Augustine, “rather than being focused primarily on immediate pastoral questions, … seeks to provide an interpretation of those biblical texts that he did […]