Perseverance of the Saints: Thirteen Part Series

I thought it would be good to catalogue my series on perseverance into a single post for easy reference. After nearly sixteen years I think it still holds up pretty well. The only part I would probably change is my treatment of Romans 8:28-29 as I would now interpret that in accordance with the corporate …

An Arminian Response to C. Michael Patton’s “The Ultimate Balanced Guide to Arminianism (From a Calvinist)”:The Good, The Bad, And The [Very] Ugly

You can find Patton's original post here I was referred to this recent post by C. Michel Patton and thought I would respond to it.  My comments can be found in-between sections of his post below: Definition of Arminianism Arminianism is a theological system developed by the Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609). It is a …

Grace For All: The Arminian Dynamics of Salvation (Book Review)

John D. Wagner has produced  an updated and expanded version of "Grace Unlimited", originally edited by the late Clark H. Pinnock.  This updated version is called "Grace For All: The Arminian Dynamics of Salvation."  This newer version contains several new essays along with some changes and heavy editing of  a few essays that appeared in …

Great Quotes: Dr. Craig Keener

Many beliefs today are popular because they appeal to our weakness rather than because they are biblical. Such beliefs include spiritual justifications for materialism, theological exemptions from suffering tribulation, and even justifications for not sharing our faith with others. The idea that someone who professes conversion will share eternal life even if they do not …

J.C. Wegner on Apostasy: An Important Warning

You can find the article at SEA here. Here is an excerpt that addresses a common complaint about the idea that a true believer can become an apostate.  I think it is something most of us can relate to as many of us have, at some point, begun down that road to varying degrees.  It …

Muppet Calvinism

A puppet representing Calvinist thought seems about right to me... Better than TULIP?

The F.A.C.T.S. of Salvation vs. The T.U.L.I.P. of Calvinism

While Calvinists like to play with flowers (or MUPPETS?), Arminians prefer to deal with the FACTS.  For an excellent and detailed summary of what Arminians believe and why, be sure to check out The FACTS of Salvation: A summary of Arminian Theology/the Biblical Doctrines of Grace!! I just wanted to share some brief notes about …

Is Philippians 1:6 A Good Proof Text For Eternal Security?

Matt O'Reilly takes a corporate view of the passage and concludes that Paul did not intend to teach individual eternal security in Philippians 1:6 The Question of Perseverance in Philippians 1:6 For a post I wrote a while back that takes a slightly different approach, but also concludes that Philippians 1:6 fails as  proof text …

A Telling and Ironic Tweet by John Piper on “Waking up in the Morning” as a Believer

Calvinist John Piper recently gave the following Tweet:  I fall asleep quietly confident that I will be a believer in the morning not because of my free will but God's free grace.  This is an obvious attack on Arminianism and those that reject Piper's Calvinistic presuppositions, though it is misplaced.  While Arminians do believe that our …

The Arminian Magazine: Getting Acquainted With Arminius, Part 2 (by John S. Knox)

In the years preceding the Declaration of Sentiments' creation, Arminius frequently defended his position as a minister and theologian in the Reformed church and as a supporter of Calvin. His Declaration is the summary compilation of that defensive effort against the Supralapsarians and high Calvinists. As such, each section of the Declaration will be inspected …

An Important Admission on Salvation Assurance from Prominent Calvinist C. Michael Patton

Excerpt: It may surprise you to know that just about every contact I have had with people who are doubting their salvation are Calvinistic in their theology. In other words, they believe in unconditional election. These are the ones who believe in perseverance of the saints. These are the ones that believe that we cannot …

Does Believing Apostasy is Possible Lead to Insecurity, Lack of Assurance, and Anxiety?

Not if it is understood properly (Biblically).  Here are some short comments from a discussion on the topic: Visitor's Question: Why should someone who has no more condemnation fear [falling away] on a regular basis? It makes no sense to me… Answer: Such a fear is a healthy concern so that such a person will …

Does Paul Teach Unconditional Eternal Security in Philippians 1:6?

Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it in the day of Christ Jesus. Does this verse then teach that one who begins in saving faith will inevitably continue in that faith until the "day of Christ Jesus?"  The advocates of …

Does Jesus Teach Unconditional Eternal Security in John 6:37-65?

John 6:37, 44, 65 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out...No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day...And He was saying, ‘For this …

Does Paul Teach That the Gift of Salvation is Unconditionally Irrevocable in Romans 11:29?

Romans 6:23; 11:29 For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord….For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Many see here a strong assertion of unconditional eternal security based on the fact that “the gifts and calling of God are …

Does “Eternal Life” in Passages like John 3:16 Imply That Apostasy is Impossible?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Some emphasize the fact that eternal life is eternal. It is claimed that if we could forfeit salvation, eternal life would then cease to be eternal. This …