Edwards and an Argument for the Eternity of Hell (Miscellany 279)

Assuming you believe in the eternity of hell, how would you go about arguing for this position? Would you go to Scripture? Would you look back at what some historical theologians have said about the matter? Would you try to make some argument based upon your intuitions about justice and the heinousness of sin beforeContinue reading “Edwards and an Argument for the Eternity of Hell (Miscellany 279)”

A Storm is Brewing…

For those of you who aren’t privileged to be member of ETS, you may have not heard but there is a storm brewing on the horizon about gender and sexuality in relation to the society’s “Doctrinal Basis/Statement of Purpose.” Below is the abstract to Stan Gundry’s open letter to members of ETS: In the lastContinue reading “A Storm is Brewing…”

The Task of Trinitarian Theology

Many books on the doctrine of the Trinity begin by decrying the state of Trinitarian theology. Many of these authors believe that the ever so important doctrine of the Trinity has been pushed off to the margins, with many Christians living as functional Unitarians, primarily because the doctrine seems so impractical. In an effort toContinue reading “The Task of Trinitarian Theology”

Eternal Functional Subordination – A Philosophical Argument

A large amount of work on Eternal Functional Subordination has been carried out in response to Tom McCall’s objection that EFS implies a denial of homoousion. I personally think his argument is pretty solid – nevertheless I will leave you to decide whether you agree with it or not. Here’s is McCall’s argument in aContinue reading “Eternal Functional Subordination – A Philosophical Argument”

Trinity/Election and the Doctrine of Antecedence

In his new book Reading Barth With Charity, George Hunsinger gives us a rather succinct summary of the Trinity-Election debate within Barth scholarship. I appreciate how (in the particular paragraph in mind) he frames the debate within two doctrines: the doctrine of antecedence & the doctrine of subsequence. In short, whereas the traditionalists uphold Barth’sContinue reading “Trinity/Election and the Doctrine of Antecedence”

The Benefits of Believing in Predestination

Yesterday in our mini-series on the Calvinist version of predestination we took a look at how Calvin responded to some objections to his doctrine of predestination. Today, as we conclude this mini-series, we will see how he not only took a defensive stance when it came to this doctrine but how he also argued vigorouslyContinue reading “The Benefits of Believing in Predestination”

Four Reasons Why Calvinism is Just Plain Wrong

Yesterday in our mini-series on the Calvinist version of predestination we tackled the question – “According to John Calvin what is predestination?” Today we take a look at the question… Is Predestination Unjust? In Book Three chapter 23 Calvin responds to four objections regarding the injustice of the doctrine of predestination. Let us look atContinue reading “Four Reasons Why Calvinism is Just Plain Wrong”

Predestination (Uh Oh!)

Without a doubt, predestination is one of the most argued about doctrine. This is partially due to the fact that predestination seems to challenge a key concept that most people deem necessary for moral responsibility, namely the principle of alternate possibilities (PAP). The PAP, which states that one must have alternate possibilities in order forContinue reading “Predestination (Uh Oh!)”

Book Review – Wesley on the Christian Life: A Heart Renewed in Love by Fred Sanders

Trust me I am not one of those reformed guys. I’m young, I’m reformed, but I’m not restless. I love other Christian traditions, I’m not a reformed or nothing kind of guy but at times I have been tempted to have a superior attitude towards Methodism and the other Wesleyan traditions. Let me explain why,Continue reading “Book Review – Wesley on the Christian Life: A Heart Renewed in Love by Fred Sanders”

Book Review – Found in Him by Elyse Fitzpatrick

My love of the doctrine of our union with Christ began about a year ago. I was taking a class on the atonement with Oliver Crisp, and I was assigned to present a paper on T.F. Torrance’s Atonement. It was supposed to be an exposition and critique of Torrance’s doctrine of the atonement. However IContinue reading “Book Review – Found in Him by Elyse Fitzpatrick”