Category Archives: Calvinism

The Salvation of the Christians: Election, Part 1

Several posts ago, I mentioned my belief that the NT doctrine of election is the same as the OT doctrine of election — that is, “election” means that God has elected Israel as the chosen people. The Gentiles have been … Continue reading

Posted in Atonement, Connection of Church with Israel, Election, Soteriology, The Salvation of the Christians, Uncategorized | 12 Comments

The Salvation of the Christians: The Cross, Part 4 (Baptism, Part 2)

Something old, something new … So having hopefully avoided some of the more tedious arguments, let’s talk about something new. Well, not “new” but old. Really old. Paul writes in Gal 3 and Rom 4 that we are saved by … Continue reading

Posted in Atonement, Connection of Church with Israel, Election, Soteriology, The Salvation of the Christians, Uncategorized | 21 Comments

The Salvation of the Christians: The Cross, Part 4 (Baptism, Part 1)

I admit it. I’m still recovering from back surgery. I’ve been in a lot of pain for a long time. And I’m running low on patience. I’m especially impatient with the endless repeating of the Church of Christ vs. Baptist … Continue reading

Posted in Atonement, Connection of Church with Israel, Election, Soteriology, The Salvation of the Christians, Uncategorized | 31 Comments

The Salvation of the Christians: The Cross, Part 3 (What Changes with Christianity? Continued)

We continue to consider how, if salvation by faith is based on the covenant with Abraham, Christianity is different. So far, we’ve covered two points: 1. Christianity is based on promises already fulfilled. Judaism is based on promises not yet … Continue reading

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The Salvation of the Christians: The Cross, Part 2 (Paul and the Faithfulness of God)

Now, in Paul and the Faithfulness of God (Christian Origins and the Question of God 4), N. T. Wright attempts to explain why the early church saw Jesus as God while not denying monotheism — a tricky bit of theology … Continue reading

Posted in Atonement, Connection of Church with Israel, Election, Soteriology, The Salvation of the Christians, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

The Salvation of the Christians: The Cross, Part 1 (What Changes with Christianity?)

So, remarkably, we find that the Christian covenant is very much made up of the Abrahamic covenant. Reckoning faith as righteousness (Gen 15:16). Blessing the nations (Gen 18:18). Producing justice and righteousness within those in covenant relationship (Gen 18:19). If … Continue reading

Posted in Atonement, Connection of Church with Israel, Election, Soteriology, The Salvation of the Christians, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

John’s Gospel: Chapter 10:22-29 (“no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand”)

(John 10:22-23 ESV)  22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,  23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. The Feast of Dedication is Hanukkah. As the NET … Continue reading

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John’s Gospel: Reflections on Chapter 9, Part 3.2 (Born in Time)

The classic philosophic problem with regard to believing in God is: How can a good God let bad things happen? I’m sure you’ve heard it before. There have been books and songs and poems written to wrestle with this difficult … Continue reading

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John’s Gospel: Reflections on Chapter 9, Part 3.1 (Born in Time)

To set the mood — In the hills of mystery, In the foggy web of destiny, You can have what’s left of me, Where we were born in time. Bob Dylan’s song, performed by Eric Clapton I love quest novels. … Continue reading

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Searching for the Third Way: Open Theism, Part 2

The hard question And so, you see, I’m not exactly an Open Theist or Closed Theist. And most of the arguments simply don’t address what, to me, is the hard question. The hard question to me isn’t whether God can … Continue reading

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