Why I can't be a Calvinist (hint: it's because of Scripture!)

If Calvinism is such a prominent form of theology among conservative evangelicals (such as John Piper, John MacArthur, Voddie Baucham, Tim Keller, D.A. Carson, Ligon Duncan, R.C. Sproul, Louie Giglio, J.I. Packer, Michael Horton, Kevin DeYoung, Charles Stanley, Wayne Grudem, James White) as well as famous Christians throughout Church History (such as John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, George Whitfield, and Jonathan Edwards), why would any faithful follower of Jesus reject it?
In this video, JM explains why he rejects the assumptions of Calvinism in light of Scripture itself, and what he believes to be a better alternative...also using the famous TULIP acronym.
Part 1 can be found at: • Explaining Calvinism (...
* This message was originally given to the UGA Wesley Foundation leadership team. For more on the UGA Wesley Foundation visit: www.ugawesley.org/
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[@TheScholarlyBaptist]

It is always a treat to find someone who is "Scholarly" and nerdy about theology but is not Calvinist

[@DiscipleDojo]

We do exist. 😁

[@Sweetpea1128]

Excellent sermon!! I am not a Calvinist either. I was born to Non-church parents. Starting at age four or five, I would walk down the street to the Baptist church to attend Sunday School (Kindergarten-grade 5) and then church by myself. At the beginning of sixth grade, we moved 2 miles away from the church and my parents told me church was over because they were not going to drive me. I’m now closing in on 77 years old. I never left Jesus and He for sure never left me. Did I sin any during those 72 years? Of course, but the Holy Spirit convicts and God’s grace is sufficient! Hallelujah! I took my children to church and they are both saved. They and I cannot imagine ever walking away from Jesus. If we ever tried, He would be pulling us back to Him. Thank you for this most excellent teaching. ☺️🙌🏼

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

'The ability to love HAS to entail the ability to not love' ... Best statement I have ever heard on the subject of love.

[@1334cass]

Thank you so much for unpacking this! Outstanding 😊

[@barrygladden]

Refreshing. I am glad your channel popped up in my feed.

[@collincarter7600]

Thank you! I really enjoy all of your videos! This video gave me some good things to review and research.

[@danielannutto792]

Excellent sermon brother. We'll said. You have inspired me to do a sermon on this topic.

[@mariarubinstein581]

This is SO GOOD! You have really spelled out what I have been sensing in my heart, but could not put into words. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!!

[@factcheckthesehands364]

My thoughts exactly. This video is pure gold!

[@GrantSwanepoel]

Be careful, the heart is wicked above all things (Jer 17:9)!

[@ElderMikeYourUrbanChurch]

Awesome and fair breakdown brother. Definitely enjoyed this.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Thanks, brother!

[@MatthewRBenavides]

Thank you so much for all the reading recommendations! I love everything you’re doing for the kingdom.

[@exagem]

Thanks for the video, challenging and edifying. I purchased several of the books on the end card, including a For AND Against Calvinism book set.

[@smjmartialarts1438]

Thank you for sharing this invaluable information!!!

[@tsukareppi]

I love your TULIP! This is the first cogently explained thing I’ve heard that gives me any explanation of Christ as the elect. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@ronwolcott5839]

Outstanding! Thank you.

[@joesbibles5636]

Great video and teaching. Thanks, man.

[@loissemanek1715]

It’s always great to hear the truth. Thanks

[@cecilspurlockjr.9421]

That was very well put together..thanks..

[@cherokeegypsy2617]

Such a great sermon! Thank you for your channel! God bless you!

[@KalliBella1]

Hello! I had expected a very good presentation and you didn’t disappoint. Well done! Thinking about the matter and the premise of your bottom-line statements, I think that to me the Reformed position makes sense. I found myself interacting with you as you eloquently expounded on the many Scripture references and to me it was a case that they also could be premised on the Reformed views and still make sense of them that way. I guess that what I’m saying is that God’s ways are indeed His ways and baffle us and will continue to baffle us! I can live with that. I’m ok with that. After all He is God and not me/us. About assurance of salvation, I think He is gracious to let us know if we are saved or not, and the test you proposed of asking the simple straight question whether at that moment we believe in the atoning work of our Savior is a very good way to know. Daily, I find myself in awe of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit, which is how I think I’m even sensitized to ask about it! Thank you for sharing this great presentation! 👍😊

[@DiscipleDojo]

That is a fair conclusion. I have no desire to talk anyone out of their Reformed views...just to show that that is not the *ONLY* way to read Scripture, as some of the more dogmatic Reformed popularizers tend to teach. This is why I don't attack Reformed theology like some Arminians do either. I will *critique* it, but I recognize that it is a *possible* approach (just one that I don't find persuasive or necessary to begin with). Cheers and thanks for the interaction!

[@KalliBella1]

@@DiscipleDojo I agree. The Reformed way to understand this matter is not the only way, and it is obvious. The debate is still ongoing among faithful believers. Like you, I don't seek to change another believer's point of view. I am not the Holy Spirit. And like you, I find it useless and unproductive to take a hard line approach about this issue whether it comes from a Reformed Theology perspective or an Arminian perspective. Watching your content makes me think and I have learned lots from your videos!!! Thank you! :)

[@sandracoombs2255]

This was fantastic. Loving your channel. I’m a new subscriber and am eating up all your videos. 😊

[@heavenbound7-7-7-7]

This was excellent thank you.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Thanks for watching!

[@factcheckthesehands364]

I’ve watched a ton of videos about this topic and this is by far one of the most concise. Thank you for sharing!

[@PrinceDarius777]

This is a great video presentation much needed right now with reformed theology taking over christian thought. Would like to see you collab with Dr Leighton Flowers. God Bless.

[@elizabethhankins6973]

I dunno…I just watched a debate between White & Flowers, and the spirit of it left something to be desired, IMO. Maybe that’s a bad judgment on my part, but I actually came here to listen to episodes on it because I knew the tone is completely different…more charitable and winsome. If anyone enters the Dojo, it should be someone that shares this gracious spirit. I’m currently in a church that has folks who hold to both Calvinistic and Arminian thinking and trying to better understand both sides so I can lead Bible studies in such a way as to maintain the unity of the Spirit. Appreciate the work here to that end.

[@Cmbtvtrn05]

Thank you, praise Jesus Christ 🙏 🙌

[@richardpetervonrahden6393]

Thank you for your succinct and clearly-presented argument. This, together with with the companion video, is the clearest exposition on this topic that I have seen.

[@kylemanningjcic1333]

This Was A Very Good Teaching And Video.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Thanks for watching!

[@thegothamite128]

Why I CAN be a Calvinist (hint: it’s because of scripture!). Seriously though, scripture, when interpreted with a proper hermeneutic using the historical-grammatical method, it seems to suggest that the Calvinists MIGHT have it right, but it also seems to suggest that non-Calvinists MIGHT have it right as well. Just like scripture seems to suggest in certain passages that A-Millennialism is true while at the same time there are passages that seem to suggest that dispensational premillennialism is true - all without contracting itself. Awww heck, can’t we all just agree that our Lord God works in mysterious ways. I’m still learning about Calvinism versus Non-Calvinism, so this is still open-ended for me.

[@taylorj.1628]

This is why it's so helpful that when Jesus was on earth he started a Church with the authority to interpret Scripture and break interpretive "ties" which cannot be escaped under Protestantism/Sola Scriptura.

[@aletheia8054]

Forget Calvinism and Arminianism. Check out Jim Brown at grace and truth ministries and learn Greek and Hebrew and get all the tools you need so you can read the Bible for yourself.

[@christsavesreadromans1096]

John 3:16 crushes the premises of Calvinism. It says plainly that Jesus died for all. Not merely the elect; you can argue God had the foreknowledge of those who would accept this gift of salvation, but that doesn’t change that he died for ALL, nor does His foreknowledge mean it was predestined. It could very well still come down to free will.

[@gordonisbell2308]

JM- by chance can you share your resources that you use in this video? This is so well done!

[@DiscipleDojo]

I don't think I have the handouts that they used when I taught it, because it was so long ago. But if you have questions on any of the books mentioned I'm happy to point you to them.

[@rockjohn2308]

Hello sir. You must be doing something wrong, I can't believe how low are the numbers of views on your videos. You deserved at least a million views. I learned a lot going through your videos today.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Feel free to share them and help us change that! 😁

[@SaltLight7]

@@DiscipleDojo I'm not saying the message is bad but the presentation is not KZbin friendly. A 40 minute sermon with very little visual activity is not going to go viral. And yes. I know the point is not to go viral but if you want more views and more subscribers you need to make shorter (10 minutes?) videos with engaging imagery.

[@justanotherdaddd]

Same

[@KatyaLearningForeverToInfinity]

@@SaltLight7 disagree. there are many of us who just listen and do boring chores so can't watch whatever the imagery is. the length of videos should be whatever is appropriate to do justice to the subject.

[@SaltLight7]

@@KatyaLearningForeverToInfinity I'm not speaking about accuracy or appropriateness of the content. I was replying to why the video doesn't get more views especially given how good and enlightening the content is.

[@syncsseven]

This really helped me a lot.. I mean a lot...

[@williammarinelli2363]

Listing Charles Stanley as a Calvinist in the video description was a surprise to me. Still is. If a citation exists, specifically that Charles affirms the U and I in TULIP, I would be interested.

[@DiscipleDojo]

If he rejects a point, it would probably be the L, not the U. Most Baptist Calvinists do not accept L. I believe he was cited in Zondervan's Counterpoints series on Eternal Security. If he has changed his views since the 90s, I'd be interested to know.

[@redeemed-gen-z]

Hey! I'm glad I found you and your channel is very helpful and is one of the few that holds the Arminian view. Most popular Christian KZbinrs are Calvinist-leaning these days. However one thing's been bothering me in regards to the topic of whether salvation can be forfeited or not. How would you interpret 2 Corinthians 5:17 that says "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed and the new has come." Calvinsits would say that when a person is born again, he will desire what God desires and hate what God hates, Christlikeness. That a saved person will no longer live a sinful lifestyle because he doesn't see sin the same as before he was saved, thus he cannot forfeit his salvation because he has died to sin (Romans 6:1-11). I'd love to hear your response, thanks in advance!

[@DiscipleDojo]

I think sin still continues to try and reclaim us as its slave until the day we go to be with the Lord or until His return, whichever comes first. But the indwelling Holy Spirit gives us the means to resist sin's siren call and leads us in victory as we abide in Him. However, the Holy Spirit can be grieved, quenched, resisted, and even blasphemed. So it is not an automatic process by any means, nor do I believe it is one that a believer can't choose to walk away from entirely.

[@redeemed-gen-z]

@@DiscipleDojo Ooh, so basically after being saved, the Holy Spirit enables us, He's like a weapon but we have the choice to use the weapon or not

[@isaacangelmeza]

Hi DiscipleDojo! Funny story: I’ve been recently praying through starting up a KZbin channel dedicated to pointing others to behold the beauty and joy of Christ and living life in His Kingdom right now moment by moment in all areas of our lives, whether through music, art, math, science, culture, etc. Anyway, as a longtime martial artist as well, I was thinking through name ideas for the channel and thought up something like Disciple Dojo because discipleship is really much like the discipline of a method or way and like martial arts prepares us for battle and worst case scenarios when they come, our walk as believers is Biblically described in this spiritual battle language (armor of God, waging war not against flesh and blood but principalities, etc) that we ought to be ready for. Fun fact: “dojo” literally translates to “the place of the way” and so what better descriptive name than “dojo” describes how we are to live in the Kingdom of THEE Way…of Jesus, who is the way! Anyway, all that to say, while I was super excited and blessed yet also low key disappointed to find your channel knowing that my name idea was taken 😂. But no hard feelings because I actually find your content and humble heart really well sound and refreshing in such a time of arrogance and deceitfulness. Maybe sometime in the near future if I get a channel going (hopefully with a cool name like yours) we can collaborate or something and share our stories as martial artists for Christ! 😁 Also, this response to Calvinism was super helpful and respectfully thought through!

[@DiscipleDojo]

Haha, great minds think alike brother! 😁 Blessings on starting your channel! Let us know when it's up and running!

[@isaacangelmeza]

@@DiscipleDojo Will do, thanks! Keep up the content. It’s good stuff!

[@kf4zmt]

Have you considered putting the content of this video in writing? Perhaps a booklet, or better yet, on a website.

[@storyofscripture]

What do you think of Roger Olson's classical Arminianism?

[@DiscipleDojo]

It's definitely a helpful resource. I'm not a Classical Arminian, but he makes a lot of great points and shows some of the misconceptions many Calvinists have about Arminianism.

[@pinkdiscomosh2766]

I hope I could provide a helpful and charitable translation layer here that is often missed when talking about the differences between this kind of presentation and a calvinist presentation. It truly does start with your biblical anthropology (BA). If your BA is such that humanity is in a statues of sinfulness (or captivity as this presentation suggests) but your human nature is neutral in that you have the capacity and willingness to do good or evil (libertarian free-will) then what the gospel offers you is a change in status, not necessarily a change in nature. Prior to your salvation in Christ, you already have the capacity to do good, but you maintain a status as a law-breaker of which you need Christ to expiate your guilt and impute the status of righteousness. This is where this theology stops when it comes to BA wheres Calvinist agree that we are in a status of guilt before God, but we are also in a state of sinful rebellion against God in our very nature (hence the term, Total Depravity) Calvinists believe that the Bible also teaches that the nature of man is in hostility to God. This means that down to our very core we are unable to accept the gospel and are not willing to do so. To use the presentations words, we are indeed captives but both in status and nature. If you presuppose libertarian free-will then of course calvinism doesn’t make sense, but if these passages (Gen. 6:5; Ps. 58:3; Jer. 17:9; John 3:19-21; Rom. 3:10-12; 23; 5:12; 7:18; 8:5-8; 1 Cor.2:14; Eph. 2:1-3) in anyway indicate that man in his very nature is unable and unwilling to respond to God, then there is no room for libertarian free-will as the Bible actively seems to teach against the concept.

[@djpodesta]

JM… There are many different ‘beliefs’ that are drawn… hehehe… there’s that word again… drawn from scripture. A lot of which could be dismissed if certain teachers would contemplate scripture as a whole, rather than become fixated upon certain passages… and if they opened their eyes to the world around them. Before watching watching this presentation, I watched your handling of T.U.L.I.P. Having never investigated the tenets of reformed theology, with regard to the ‘5 points of Calvinism,’ before today; although I had heard of the concept, but chose to over look it, I never realised how biblically skewed it really is. Which is funny, because I can listen and take heart to the likes of RC Sproul (rest his soul); et al, all day and every day for his treatment of what it is to be a Christian. Yet… your exposition of the topic far outstrips anything I have heard argued about the intricacies of Salvation according to Scripture. I will go as far to say that the 5 points of Calvinism belong along side of the teachings of Mormonism, Jehovah Witness and Seventh Day Adventist teaching. Well meaning, but utterly unrealistic… though, I would not go as far as lumping the whole of Reformist Theology into that basket of course. BUT surprised that they come to that conclusion about the scriptures that they so diligently study and delight in. If you are reading this today, July 29, 2022… I also caught your presentation about your recommendations for OT resources… Yes. today is my day off from a very long and demanding week at work… and rest was the order of the day. I absolutely keyed into your recommendations about spreading the net to gain an understanding about how people from other cultures; ie Africa and South Asia (as you pointed to) think and interpret life and scripture through their own lens. I think that the world would be such a better place if everybody; including those of differing cultures, took the time to contemplate everybody else’s ‘world views.’ - especially since the world has become such a smaller place than it once was. That is an aside from understanding OT Theology of course… but good all round practice. While I am full of glowing compliments about your efforts, I have to ask about why you always point to the book of Romans when you are sharing your Study Bible thoughts. Anyway, I am just another sojourning viewer on the receiving, though paid up, end of the KZbin experience, though sometimes wishing that I knew some of its content creators personally… 👍 All the best from Kangaroo Land.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Hi David, thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts! To answer your question, I always look at 4 books when reviewing study Bibles (Gen, Exod, Rom, Rev) because these are the places at which a study Bible's theological & hermeneutical leanings are usually most readily apparent. :-)

[@djpodesta]

@@DiscipleDojo Ah! Thanks for clarifying JM… James. Down here, apart from the minor Christian based religions, the main theological divide is simply between Catholicism and Protestantism… hence me never looking into TULIP… :) Enjoy your day/night sir.

[@wyattreeves5608]

Only thing I’ll say about your point on the P is there other scriptures that back up that you can’t lose your salvation. I’m kinda at a middle ground of reformed and regular baptist and I believe if you are truly saved you will have up and downs but will always come back. My testimony personally I went through several seasons of disobedience but was still being convicted still at my heart wanted to get back on track and I eventually repented and through the Lords grace I’m still working and striving to walk with him daily. However I believe if someone makes a confession of faith and one just walks away completely I don’t think they truly had any true faith. I also reject once saved always saved because many people use that excuse to say a little pray and love how they want which is simply wrong. I believe once in Jesus he does good works in us and we long to do those things for him and it’s a life time of repentance and sanctification. But I really appreciate your video as someone who is kind of lnbetween major Baptist ideas. I also appreciate that you seem to like myself put stake in personal study and wanting serve God with each other even if certain people interpret things differently. I don’t know if you’ll see this comment since this video is older but again I appreciate the video and your Bible reviews have a good one sir!

[@elizabethhankins6973]

Quite helpful. I still wonder if, based on passages like 1 Pt. 1:4-5, there isn’t a both/and going on rather than an either/or; that is, God preserves those who come to Him through faith such that they will persevere. I’m also still wondering what to do with Romans 9:22-24. When I was first being introduced to Calvinist thinking, I distinctly remember praying, “God, I don’t like this view of you, but I can see it in Scripture, so help me to love you for who you reveal yourself to be, not who I want you to be.” I cried and prayed a lot. Romans 9:23 was the only explanation I found for why God might chose some and pass over others…to display the riches of His glory. I’ve been in reformed-ish churches for a couple of decades now, but I’m not opposed to exploring the other side. Thanks for recommending follow up resources! And as always, I so appreciate your charitable spirit, brother! Would that more folks would copy you as you imitate our Savior!

[@naps3386]

You are taking Romans 9:22-24 out of context, keep reading the verses that follow..."I shall call Not My People, My People. And she who is unloved, Beloved." Incidently I think Calvinist thinking divides the church. The REALLY amusing thing is most Calvinists think they are the Elect, it is everyone else that is suspect.

[@elizabethhankins6973]

@@naps3386 I understand that Arminians read Rom. 9 differently than Calvinists, I just don’t understand how. That’s kind of what I was getting at. I have read the entire book of Romans dozens of times, so your comment about reading it out of context isn’t particularly helpful. Sorry. When you’ve been taught to read something through certain lenses, it can be hard to read it differently unless someone carefully walks you through it. I’ve been part of Calvinist circles for over two decades, and I don’t know a single one who would say that they are the only ones who are elect and that everyone else is suspect. So, I’m not sure where that comes from.

[@Billster1955]

Love your channel. I totally agree with you.

[@titosantiago3694]

GREAT, GREAT, SOUND BIBLICAL CONTENT... exposing Truth from lies. Keep up the great work!!!

[@jobrown8146]

Excellent - thank you.

[@philipberry2704]

I jus came across your videos I am enjoying watching them very much thank you for sharing your knowledge I w as brought up in a Christian home my dad is a calvinist he believes in absolute predestination of all things even as a child I had a problem with this theory when I was a child and dad would spank or punish me for telling a lie or doing something else wrong I would ask him why he was punishing me for something that I had to do since God had pre determined even before the beginning of time Thanks again for your videos they explain a lot to me

[@redeemed-gen-z]

Hello, I have another question to ask, how would you interpret Rev 13:8 and 17:8 that says: "The beast that you saw pwas, and is not, and qis about to rise from rthe bottomless pit2 and sgo to destruction. And tthe dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in uthe book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast" Calvinists use this as proof-text that since God predestines people to heaven, He also predestines people to hell which is the teaching that I can't accept since it seems contrary to God's character in 2 Peter 3:9 and 1 Tim 2:3

[@DiscipleDojo]

Earlier in Revelation there is a warning that people's names can be blotted out of the book of life. So, either way, this concept doesn't say what Calvinism says.

[@redeemed-gen-z]

@@DiscipleDojo thanks

[@arsenalboy4ever]

I am a Calvinist, but I loved listening to this.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Thank you. I try to be fair to my Calvinist brothers and sisters and not strawman their views.

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Excellent message.

[@homeschool.pray.repeat]

I want to know if this sermon convinced any of your Calvanist friends? Well done!

[@DiscipleDojo]

It was a presentation I did at a Methodist campus ministry, so there weren't many Calvinists there. But who knows since posting it online? 🙂

[@bluechipboy]

Well said!

[@NickensCharles]

Provoking thought... Read John Calvin's own commentary on John 3:16 and see if it matches the way "Limited Atonement" is taught today. Fun fact, he even talks about a free will choice. (I am in the middle between Calvinism and Arminianism, leaning more Arminianism but still researching.)

[@taylorj.1628]

Don't forget about molinism!!!

[@handsomedevil4928]

You don’t have to pick between the two.

[@oracleoftroy]

Yeah, it's always interesting when people drop their assumptions about what Calvinists believe and actually read primary sources. The Reformed confessions are full of affirmations of free will as well.

[@williamdavidbone9138]

Tried listening to this but could not finish. You mentioned several claims against Calvinists that I have never heard before. As a life long Presbyterian, it's difficult to listen to someone present God differently from the loving father that is presented from the teachers and scripture that I have learned from. In addition, from my understanding of scripture, it is not wise to make such proclamations that paint many of us as hyper-calvinists when we aren't. I found your discussion with Dr Imes to be much more credible in presenting scripture and exegetical references to support your position regarding women leadership at the pastor, elder and deacon levels.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Did you watch my presentation of Calvinism in the prior video in this series? Most of my Calvinist friends and viewers said that it was fair and an accurate portrayal of Calvinism.

[@krissaundersjoinery2881]

Hi disciple dojo. Can you recommend the best in depth study bible with good study notes but haven't got much calvanist/reformed bent. Thanks

[@DiscipleDojo]

See my Top 7 Recommended Study Bibles video here on the channel.

[@youngrevival9715]

Thank you for this I don’t know why but I liked your content but I thought you leaned reformed. Now I know that’s not the case and I like your content even more knowing I don’t have to question every single thing you say through the lens not embracing Calvinism

[@DiscipleDojo]

Nope. Lifelong Wesleyan Methodist here. But I have much love for my Calvinist/Reformed brethren (and sistren). :)

[@LocaChoca]

This has always been something I've struggled with. I was raised as a Free Will Baptist which is very Arminian, and have been to various churches ranging from very Calvinist with Presbyterian roots to many somewhere in between, and the more I dig, the more confusing it becomes, because I can see both sides being accurate, but not necessarily for every single Christian and person represented in the Bible. Paul was seized on the road to Damascus which lends to the Calvinist argument, but Ruth willingly came to God, which is Arminian. Calvinism-Arminianism and The Age of Accountability are the two most troubling concepts that I have struggled with most. If you have any good resources for The Age of Accountability (is it or is it not biblical) I would greatly appreciate it.

[@DiscipleDojo]

The concept of a person reaching a point where they "know to choose the good from the bad" is certainly present in the Hebrew Bible...but it is never spoken of as a certain age, and certainly not depicted as the same for everyone. When it comes to that question, I simply echo Abraham: "Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?" and leave the particulars up to God, who knows the heart of every person and loves them more than I ever could.

[@lawrencestanley8989]

One of the biggest problems dividing the church today is the false dichotomy being created between the requirement for man to believe for salvation on the one hand, and God's choice in salvation on the other - there are many teachers who would say that the Bible teaches an either/or approach to salvation where the one camp emphatically states that "we must believe to be saved" while ignoring God's sovereignty over salvation, while the other camp states "God chooses who will be saved" while ignoring the requirement for man to believe. What people in both of these camps need to realize is that the Bible does not present an "either/or" proposition between these two ideas. The truth is a "both/and" scenario: We must believe for salvation, and it is God who chooses who will be saved, and in time, grants him the ability to believe; if you are willing (Isaiah 1:19), it is only because God has made you willing (John 6:29, 37, 44, Acts 13:48, Philippians 1:29). As for "free will," the Bible never talks about man’s freedom in the sense of having the ability of contrary choice. Rather, whenever scripture speaks of man’s freedom, it is in reference to Christ setting an individual free from his slavery to sin (cf. Galatians 2:4, 5:1, 13, Hebrews 2:14-15, John 8:32-36, Romans 6:6, 16-20, 8:15, 2 Corinthians 3:17). There is no freedom for man once he is set free from sin however, for either he is a slave to sin, or he is a slave to God (Romans 6:17-18, 22, 1 Corinthians 7:22, 1 Peter 2:16, Ephesians 6:6, Colossians 3:24). Since a slave is not the master of his own will, but instead does the will of his master who owns him, and scripture says that the slave desires to do his master’s will, cf. Psalm 40:8, John 8:44, and that his desire is from God (1 Corinthians 15:10, Philippians 2:13), therefore any notion that suggests that man has a free will in the libertarian sense (the ability of contrary choice) is an unbiblical notion.

[@DiscipleDojo]

@@lawrencestanley8989 "It is for freedom Christ has set you free..." Be careful of calling unbiblical what is actually assumed throughout. When Paul uses the metaphor of "slavery to God", he is building upon the Exodus image of Israel being freed from "serving" Pharaoh in order to "worship" YHWH (same word in Heb). He is not making a philosophical axiomatic claim, as many later Reformed interpreters assume.

[@lawrencestanley8989]

@@DiscipleDojo So God set individuals free from their slavery to sin to then serve no one?

[@jayahladas692]

@@lawrencestanley8989 Luke 7:30 "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him". Apparently it can be rejected. Luke 10:31. Jesus says "by chance". 1 Sam 23 David is told by the Lord that he will be delivered to up to Saul, and he and his men leave. God knew what was going to happen but He can allow men's plans to change. Preknown by God is not set in stone, He has all the bases covered

[@MichaelSmith-yy8fw]

It seems that you are saying that rebirth in Christ can somehow be undone. For the converted assurance is permanent. I guess this means I come down of the side of the reformed view. When someone saysI can lose my salvation I must ask, How? I have yet to hear a satisfactory answer. MikeinMinnesota

[@DiscipleDojo]

You can't "lose" your salvation...because it's not a 'thing' you own to begin with. It's a *relationship*...and you can always walk away from a relationship. That doesn't "undo" anything you experienced in the past; it simply entails (to use NT language) a "shipwreck of faith."

[@MrEdchavez63]

Are there any Systematic/ Biblical Theology books from the Arminian approach?

[@DiscipleDojo]

Yes. Ornton Wiley, Roger Olson, and Thomas Oden are a few off the top of my head.

[@hw888]

Thanks

[@Bibliotechno]

Passages such as Romans 9 shows God has mercy on whom he will have mercy, hardens whom He hardens. E.g. Esau vs. Jacob. Is the Potter, we the clay.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Watch the whole video. I specifically address Romans 9 and how it is talking about *corporate* election rather than *individual* salvation.

[@Bibliotechno]

In the OT God told beforehand how 'an individual' (Pharaoh) would be hardened. In the NT Jesus foretold of an individual 'born to perdition' (Judas).

[@karinapillay874]

@@DiscipleDojo what do you mean by corporate ? please elaborate on this

[@Bibliotechno]

When we look at Acts 4 v 27, we are informed that God chose 4 'parties' to deliver up Jesus to crucifixion (2 'corporates' and 2 'named individuals'). We are told "they did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen". (v28). It was all determined beforehand.

[@bayesianhulk]

@@karinapillay874 Election to service. God chose Abraham's lineage, Israel, to bring forth the Messiah.

[@davidthenewtheologian7757]

The problem is that when you talk about total depravity, it basically means every part of man is effected with sin. Adam had a will that was free from the bondage of sin. That bondage or sin nature was given to his posterity. That is why the Virgin birth is important. It is not that man doesn’t make choices. It’s that his nature has been wholly corrupted since he died separated himself from god in the garden. Man still makes. Choices but his nature dictates those choices. Also it is those whom he foreknew not he who he foreknew but those he foreknew. Is not US the direct object in the text. Also election is individual and corporate. Not one or the other.

[@anchorintheveil]

So, the presentation of Calvinism wasn't terrible, but certainly lacking as you acknowledged. The "drawing" described is John 6:44 and John 12:32 does mean in the Greek "to drag". So it's not enticing or wooing, etc. It's to certainly bring forth, which is the point you made and that's one of our greatest points as Calvinists. So, John 6:44 says the person will be drawn (dragged) to Christ but you forgot to mention the second part of that verse, that ALL who come to Him in this manner will be raised on the last day, i.e. they will be saved. John 12:32 says when Christ is lifted up He will draw (drag) all men to Himself. So, unless you are a universalist and believe that literally every person will be saved, then you necessarily must acknowledge that the "all" in John 12:32 does not mean every single person on the face of the earth, but rather it means every type of person, i.e. both Jew and Gentiles. That's what the verse means. God is sovereign and He has the right to do with His creation as He pleases. He is thrice holy and good and we, as Christians, trust Him. His election is not arbitrary, but is in keeping with His perfect will and plan from before the world began. Two sparrows do not fall from the sky apart from the will of your Father. We might see that happen and think "so what a couple birds died." We would think that's completely random and arbitrary, but what does Jesus say? That it's all part of God's perfect will and plan for creation. So, if such mundane things are controlled according to the will of God, do you really think He's going to leave the eternal salvation of His people up to chance? By no means! For you are worth more than many sparrows.

[@DiscipleDojo]

It just says God knows when that happens to the sparrows...not that He *makes* it happen to them. That's an assumption Calvinists bring into the text. And if it's "all kinds" of people God "drags" in John 12, then that also fits John 6 just as well. To demand otherwise is special pleading, I would suggest. :-)

[@anchorintheveil]

@@DiscipleDojo The scripture does not say that God just "knows" when the sparrows fall from the sky. It says that does not happen "apart from the will of your Father" that is, it only happens *if* it is the will of your Father, that is, God ordains it to come to pass or it would *not* happen. Jesus is teaching the disciples about the sovereignty of God here plainly and comforting them with that. If He just knows when that happens that doesn't help them or anyone else whatsoever and contextually is obviously not the case. Yes, it necessarily must mean all *kinds* of people in John 12 or you would have to be a universalist, again by necessity. And I would have no problem applying that same logic to John 6:44 *if* it said "all" anywhere there, which it does not, because He doesn't draw all to Christ and all will not be saved.

[@shredhed572]

​@@anchorintheveil The problem with what you said about John 6:44 is John 6:45. The second half of the verse. Those are conditions. There are 2 of them. It's ironic, that one verse later, says who Jesus means. Don't you read your bible?

[@anchorintheveil]

@@shredhed572 That's no problem at all. It's kind of interesting though, that you think it would be. Yes, all who hear and learn from the Father come to Christ, that is, they do actually come to Christ. Not that they might come to Christ, they *do* come to Christ and are saved. How many times did Jesus say "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."? The Father is the One who opens our ears and our eyes to the truth of the gospel so we *can* come. (Jn 6:44) Not that we may come, or might come, that we can come, and the Father must enable us to come. “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” John 6:65

[@kvelez]

8:56 Amen. 9:38 Amen. 12:01 Interesting. 13:24 AMEN TO THIS. *This sheds light on the title --> Messiah or Mashiah // Christ or Christos. *New Israel (Jacob = person/descendants), New People, New Chosen, New Jerusalem, New Earth, New Covenant, New Descendants from Abraham, New Adam (Adam = person/humanity). 17:35 Interesting note. 22:02 Amen. 26:18 Missionaries. 29:59 Good note. 31:09 Doubt. 33:02 Testimony. 39:54 Excellent. 41:58 Depicting Calvinism.

[@alex-qe8qn]

isn’t it generally recognised that his popular books are somewhat less trustworthy than his academic ones? Personally, while of course I find much good in his works. I find also egregious illogic and failure to see alternative views (eg on the presumed error on the early return of Jesus).

[@kman8628]

Replying to the “T”, where are you talk about how John is referencing back to the Exodus… the Israelites were chosen as God’s holy people by God‘s own sovereignty, and not because there was anything special or unique about them, which would seem to reinforce Calvinistic theology

[@DiscipleDojo]

Yes, but *individual Israelites* were not.

[@AllforOne_OneforAll1689]

”Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a person be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.”“ ‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬-‭8‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

[@DiscipleDojo]

Amen.

[@AllforOne_OneforAll1689]

@@DiscipleDojo How do you interpret that passage as a non-calvinist?

[@bigtobacco1098]

Why I can't be (enter opposing view here)... it's because of my INTERPRETATION of scripture

[@DiscipleDojo]

Yes, I feel like that is made quite clearly in the video.

[@naps3386]

I have found Calvinists to be VERY legalistic, holier than thou, to the point of shunning me. Like moths to the flame, Calvinism seems to attract this type of judgmental person.

[@sarahsunshine78]

Unfortunately this has been my experience as well.

[@timothykeith1367]

If you pray for a sick person to be positively healed, rather than for God to make it possible for them to be healed, then you are already more Calvinist than you may know.

[@DiscipleDojo]

How does that follow? Disease doesn't have free will.

[@timothykeith1367]

@@DiscipleDojo Disease is because of the curse of God upon the sinful human race. God chose that man would be inflicted with suffering. It is the purpose of God that sinful man should suffer.

[@brentmccain7737]

@@timothykeith1367 super duper.

[@brentmccain7737]

Along the same line, why do we pray for God to change someone's heart?

[@terranceoneil3]

At the 12:21-23 spot you stated that "the elect is never used of people who are not yet in a relationship with God"... ugh 2 Timothy 2:10 Paul wrote," I endure all things for the sake of the elect that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus." According to Paul, his motive for enduring suffering was for "elect" who have not been saved yet, that the may also be saved in Christ Jesus. Therefore, the attempt to equate elect with a corporate community of faith only after conversion makes Paul a liar.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Two ways of interpreting this passage, either of which accorda with Marshall's point: 1. The suffering Paul endured was for the sake of God's chosen people *corporately*, that they might obtain salvation in the eschaton (i.e. run the race, not make a shipwreck of their faith, reach the prize of the upward calling, etc.). Salvation always has past, present, and future senses depending on context. 2. Paul is alluding, with not a little irony, to the Jewish people who have not yet heard the news of their Messiah. Israel *corporately* was the elect, and Paul's ministry was "to the Jew first" in bringing them the good news (gospel) of their King. So, no, Paul is not a liar, and the elect is not talking about chosen *individuals* in Scripture, but rather a chosen *people* and corporate community.

[@aletheia8054]

Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, Galatians 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Paul thought he was pre selected.

[@TheProdigalCatholic]

"Why I cant be Calvinist....God did not elect me" LOL I had too

[@brentmccain7737]

This guys sermon is a prime example of poor biblical scholarship. Even a basic course in hermeneutics, teaching the literal-historical-grammatical interpretation of scripture will teach you that interpretation is not reader based, but author based. What did the author mean? Along with this comes a full study of entire chapters, background, complete verses not paraphrased and taken out of context (e.g. Romans 7), order in which Paul's letters were written, original languages, etc. I've no doubt that this gentleman is a genuine born again believer, but before you buy his sales pitch, read the fine print of scripture surrounding his proof texts, entirely. If you want to read another Apostle and also read Christ's own words, read John 1, 3, 10, 15, 17. Jesus' own words cannot be more clear. BE DILIGENT IN YOUR OWN STUDIES.

[@TheProdigalCatholic]

@@brentmccain7737 “what did the author mean” you can claim it’s author based (regarding to Protestantism) but all leaders in Protestantism are miniature popes using their own reasoning to try and understand the Bible instead of listening to the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church Jesus Christ Himself built. You’re in my prayers 🙏🏻

[@brentmccain7737]

@@TheProdigalCatholic Sorry, my friend, I'm a reformed 5 Solas guy.

[@TheProdigalCatholic]

@@brentmccain7737 that’s why I said I’m praying for you 🙏🏻

[@brentmccain7737]

@@TheProdigalCatholic to whom are you praying? 🤪

[@christiankalafut5572]

“IF you continue in your faith, your present salvation is secured.” “You’re judged by your faith and your deeds together because you’re judged according to who you are” Thank God I won’t be judged by who I am but on account of Christ in me; I’ll make it because He said I’ll make it. Time and space, all of eternity, past and present, all pales in comparison to the look I long for in the Lord Jesus’ face and nothing can break that bond. While yes I will experience judgement in the body but the blood of the Lamb will be enough to get me through, even if my crown is not like Paul’s or that of a martyr. I hear a lack of eternal security in this which isn’t what Paul said when he said that I know my God will keep you until the Day (paraphrase).

[@DiscipleDojo]

But if Christ in you doesn't bear fruit...then is Christ actually in you? Scripture gives a resounding "no" to that question, I believe. Not having assurance is better than having false assurance and hearing, "Away from me. I never knew you."

[@letstalktech96]

@@DiscipleDojo what about the Corinthian believers who was in sin, abusing the Lord supper, paul said for that reason ( their sin) some of them was sick, some sleep ( died)… what about Ananias who lied to the Holy Spirit and died because of it. God will chastise every son he receives but he absolutely will not take away their salvation… the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, he will not change his mind… Jesus said we HAVE eternal life the moment we believe, if it’s eternal it lasts forever. He said we are in his hand and in the fathers hand, we will never perish. Jesus said, the one who doesn’t believe shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. He didn’t say you can see life and then lose it. Nothing can separate us from the love of God… We’ve passed from death unto life etc etc. good message overall apart from I disagree with losing salvation.

[@jayahladas692]

We shouldn't confuse the times of God being very sovereign towards Israel for the purpose of providing salvation for the world, with our free choice for personal salvation

[@robwagnon6578]

Tulip to me is antagonistic to the gospel and scripture...

[@survivedsavedjohn1468]

🤔

[@TonyThomas10000]

So you believe a person who was born again and truly transformed and indwelt by the Spirit of God can actually be unborn again? (1 Jn 2:19) Really?

[@DiscipleDojo]

If you are asking whether I believe someone can "fall away" (Heb 3.12), "make a shipwreck of their faith" (1Tim 1.19) or be told "away from me, I never knew you" (Matt 7.23) ...yes, yes I do.

[@TonyThomas10000]

@@DiscipleDojo So that person suddenly becomes unregenerated? He or she is no longer a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17 ). The Holy Spirit no longer indwells that person (Romans 8:9, 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Eph. 2:2)? Jesus says that the Spirit will be with us forever (John 14:16). Even if a true believer falls away and is in grevious sin, Paul talks about delivering that one to satan for the destruction of their flesh that this Spirit can be saved (1 Cor. 5:5). I don't see a true Christin becoming unborn again from the Scriptures. If they apostasize, they were never truly saved (1 Jn 2:19).

[@igregmart]

I am a Calvinist because of scripture. BTW, I only read the King James version.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Ok.

[@lindajohnson4204]

The old nature could walk away from Jesus at the slightest pain or trouble, but the new nature, "born of God", cannot. Therefore, the whole person cannot walk away and mean it, because although it is free, the new nature can't want to walk away from Jesus. So if the old nature is packing its bags to leave, the new nature is frightened, horrified, and beyond consolation. It sure isn't going to be a matter of walking out into the "sunshine" of a godless life, like atheists think. I lived through this over many years when I was young.

[@DiscipleDojo]

But notice that Scripture never says this...and the book of Hebrews assumes the opposite.

[@AllforOne_OneforAll1689]

“who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”” ‭‭John‬ ‭3:5-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

[@DiscipleDojo]

Are you under the impression that these verses can only be interpreted in a Calvinist manner?

[@AllforOne_OneforAll1689]

@@DiscipleDojo Not necessarily. How would you tackle these passages?

[@lindajohnson4204]

Luke 10:21 KJV - In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. If someone asserts that trusting "babe" belief is man-made "folk religion", well, it isn't. It is revealed by God, through the written word and the Holy Spirit, not invented by the believers. It may be believed by "folk", but it came from God.

[@jayahladas692]

"God is not willing that any should perish" Predestined ones do per Calvinism.. Ones that choose to reject do per Christianity..

[@aletheia8054]

It’s a little baffling why people quote that verse and miss the word “us” Especially someone that’s older should know better.

[@jayahladas692]

@@aletheia8054 why would God need to be longsuffering to us-word if we're already preordained? calvinist convolution.

[@aletheia8054]

@@jayahladas692 Because of what the children of God are preordained to. This is not good for an old person not to know this. I would spend some time checking out Jim Brown at grace and truth ministries. He’s taught on predestination more than any other pastor alive. ….. and probably the dead ones tor.

[@jayahladas692]

@@aletheia8054 you should listen to the wisdom of an old person.. you're missing my point: If the children of God are preordained to heaven why would God need ro be longsuffering to them? Calvinism is illogical and a twisting of scripture by the devil. Wise up! leaving now out of town

[@bayesianhulk]

Are you familiar with Leighton Flowers and Soteriology101? You'd probably have an interesting discussion on his podcast.

[@DiscipleDojo]

I am not, but I'm always happy to connect. :-)

[@troydunn6228]

Please do

[@unitedstates3068]

@@DiscipleDojo 2nd that. Maybe review S101 and followup with how you may differ. Your TULIP vs S101 PROVIDE acrostic. Would also love a video on sanctification. Your have a great presentation style.

[@BatMite19]

Did Paul write Romans to Christians or non-Christians? Christians. So when Romans says we have been set free from captivity to sin, he was writing to believers. You say some people will choose to go back, but Jesus explains that with the parable of the soils. Some of the seed that fell on bad soil sprang up, but because the soil was bad, for one reason or another, there was no fruit. But ALL the seed that fell on the good soil produced fruit. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” How can a person choose what he cannot even see? He must be born again BEFORE he can see the kingdom and desire it. Being dead to sin, and being dead in your sins, are legal positions. A Christian, while retaining his flesh prior tp the resurrection, is still capable of sin because the flesh is not redeemed until the resurrection. But legally before God's judgment seat, he died to sin on the cross with Christ, and is made alive in Christ through regeneration. Right now, you still sin. But that is different from being *dead in your sins.* It's nice that you think free will is assumed everywhere, but you really fell flat there, I think. In the Exodus account, five times it says that God hardened Pharaoh's heart, six times it simply states the fact that Pharaoh's heart was hard, and twice it says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart. If you throw in 1 Samuel 6:6, then call it three times. God cooperated with the already bent/corrupted/dead heart of Pharaoh in the hardening. God did nothing to Pharaoh against Pharaoh's will. The statement that every command/exhortation in scripture assumes that we can respond to it flies in the face of Galatians 3:24, which says that the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ. How was it our tutor? because by seeing that we are unwilling and unable to keep the law, we see our need for Christ. This leads to repentance. But how does a sinner come to repent? "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8)." As for election/predestination, Romans 8 says that "those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Note that the "those" is plural. So he cannot be saying that Christ alone was predestined, nor that Christ was predestined to be conformed to himself. Another point on that verse. Non-Calvinists take the "foreknow" to mean that God looks ahead to see who will choose him, then elects those persons. If that were the case, then the verse would read, "For those *about* whom he foreknew ...." Whenever the Bible takes on a person as the object of "to know," it speaks of an intimate relationship, not of knowledge *about* a person. E.g., "And Adam knew Eve, his wife; and she conceived .... (Genesis 4:1, KJV)." I need to stop. But I want to ask you a question. I'm sure you believe that God is unchanging, so when did God become merciful? Was he not eternally merciful? But until the fall, there was no one who needed his mercy. But if the elect were eternally predestined, then God has been eternally merciful to the elect, which would explain his "foreknowing them." Sorry, brother, but you did not win me with your logic. Grace and peace to you.

[@DiscipleDojo]

On Pharaoh's heart, see the video I did on that topic specifically (I even quote Augustine and other Reformed heroes in it!). :-) Your other points, IMO, hinge on selective literalism unevenly applied ("dead" is a figure of speech, but "seeing the Kingdom of God" is literaly chronology, etc.) As for your question, where does the Bible say that God was merciful from all eternity? I'd say God "became" merciful as soon as there were objects of mercy toward whom to express His eternal loving nature...just as He "became" incarnate during the incarnation. I reject concepts of divine immutability which reduce God to an unchanging essence rather than the personal God we meet in Scripture. What you are suggesting sounds more like Islamic conceptions of God than a Hebrew view of YHWH. But I don't expect a single KZbin video to win over someone who's been teaching Reformed Theology for decades and is comfortable in it. :-)

[@BatMite19]

@@DiscipleDojo Likewise, my comments aren't going to change anyone's opinion. :) I don't see how you can reject divine immutability. If that is not true, then that means that there is something in creation which causes him to change; something outside of God causes a change within God. I can't fathom that. James 1:17 settles that one for me. Oh, well. One of us will have some 'splainin' to do when we meet the Lord. ;) I am still trying to get to your video on the parallels between the Jewish War and Revelation. If only I didn't have a job! :)

[@hasimhodzic9649]

Where does it say that Paul was referring to the time before he got saved when he talked about the sin that he would not do that he does and the good that he would do that he doesn’t do? How then do you explain that Christians sin? Anyone who claims to be without sin is a liar and the truth is not in them. If you are not without sin, doesn’t that make you a sinner? I would think that if you’re not without sin then sooner or later you will sin. Any sin you commit must be wilful, it’s you doing it not someone else. Surely that’s why God has put our Salvation all on Himself. You who think too take a little credit for yourself be warned, God is not mocked and He does not share His Glory with another. God is a jealous God and you are saved by His Grace and all the Glory belongs to Him alone, The Triune God of The Scriptures. Remember Abraham was put to sleep, God did it all. You bow down to someone other then God and unless they are evil or appointed over you, like a judge, they should say to you,” I am your fellow servant, do not bow down to me.

[@DiscipleDojo]

See our video here on the channel where we look at Romans 7 in detail. It's in the Viewer Questions playlist. No one is arguing that any part of our salvation is not on God. This is a common error Calvinists make regarding non-Calvinist soteriology and has been addressed countless times by non-Calvinist theologians.

[@TalkingOutOfSchool]

Matthew 23:37 KJV O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and YE WOULD NOT!

[@Brian_L_A]

Non Calvinist TULIP. A Masterstroke!

[@davidrathbun1345]

The alternative is the Gospel the exchanged life Gospel

[@michaelshelnutt3534]

It’s funny the reason I’m a Calvinist is also because of Scripture…

[@joest.eggbenedictus1896]

"logical and coherent". There's the problem right there. Man's attempt to domesticate God.

[@earley4541]

Personally I think they preach another gospel like Paul describes in Galatians. No assurance of salvation isn’t the gospel.

[@DiscipleDojo]

I disagree. Scripture itself never makes that equation when discussing the Gospel. I believe Calvinism is incorrect, but does not qualify as heterodoxy in the sense Paul is speaking of in Galatians 1.

[@rapidfire4528]

@@DiscipleDojo sad way to live not knowing if you have salvation living in doubt till the end is not trusting in the finished work of Christ. Stay blessed ✝️🙏🏽

[@GhostBearCommander]

Here's a question that bothers me: Why would Calvinists try to convince anyone of Calvinism, or even the Gospel itself for that matter, if their Theology is correct? Think about it this way. If I am Divinely determined by God before time began to be a non-Calvinist for His Glory, then there is nothing anyone can say or do to convince me otherwise. The same applies to the Gospel message itself. On the inverse side, if I am Divinely decreed to be a Calvinist or even one of the Elect, then there is no point in providing me with ministry service because it cannot improve upon God's already perfect work. So, if Calvinism is true, then Discipleship and Evangelism are basically useless.

[@aletheia8054]

If you are a child of God then you are “divinely determined” to be a child of God through the hearing of the word. That’s the purpose of preaching the gospel, to find the elect. It’s not some thing that’s mentally hard to understand at all. The elect are held until Faith comes. Galatians 3

[@thomasglass9491]

If you follow Scripture you will be a calvinist!

[@DiscipleDojo]

Patently incorrect.

[@thomasglass9491]

@@DiscipleDojo John 6, Ephesians 1 and Romans 9 are laughing!

[@truthseeker5698]

@@thomasglass9491So is the satan laughing at you!

[@GrantSwanepoel]

Sorry brother, I cannot agree with you. The clear teaching of Scripture as a whole is total depravity. Eph 2:1- 8. It takes the work of God in Christ to bring us to spiritual life.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Nothing I said denies that the Spirit brings us to life. The question is, are we unable to desire it beforehand? Beware of using words like "clearly" on issues where faithful Christians have disagreed for 2000 years.

[@johnnyanglo6709]

Why I must be a Calvinist (hint: it's because of Scripture!) The difference between Calvinism and Arminianism: Calvinism: A God who saves. Arminianism: A God who enables man to save himself Calvinism: The Trinity acts to save: Election by the Father; Redemption by the Son; Calling by the Spirit. Each is directed toward the same person to positively save that person. Salvation is entirely dependent on the work of God. Faith is God's gift in salvation, unmerited; the result of God's work in regeneration. All glory for the saving of anyone belongs to God alone. Arminianism: The object of redemption is all mankind; of calling toward those that will hear the gospel; and election of those that are willing to respond. Each action is directed toward the same or diverse peoples, partially or wholly, but in no way is man's salvation secured by any part. Salvation is partially dependent on the work of God as the substrate, but beyond this, entirely dependent on the work of man. Faith is man's contribution to his salvation. Glory is divided between God who lays the foundation and the glory of man building salvation by his freewill and intrinsic faith. TOTAL DEPRAVITY - Adam's rebellion left his progeny without the ability to choose spiritual good over evil. Hence, there is no free will in man, for his desire for sin is a house of bondage to the sinful nature. According to God, the unregenerate sinner is incapable of doing good in the spiritual realm; he is a slave to sin; the offspring of Satan, in rebellion toward God, spiritually blinded, and unwilling and unable to seek salvation. The unregenerate man is dead in trespasses and sin, meaning, he is spiritually enslaved to his evil nature. This is what the Bible teaches about the depravity of an as per these and many other verses: Col 2:13 You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, Eph 2:1-3 You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins, (2) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience; (3) among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Rom 5:12 Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned. Psa 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me. Psa 58:3 The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies. Gen 6:5 Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gen 8:21 Yahweh said in his heart, "I will not again curse the ground anymore for man's sake, because the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I ever again strike everything living, as I have done. Ecc 9:3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event to all: yes also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? Mar 7:21-23 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, (22) covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. (23) All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." Joh 3:19 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. Rom 8:7-8 because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be. (8) Those who are in the flesh can't please God. 1Co 2:14 Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Eph 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, (18) being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; (19) who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, Tit 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. Joh 8:44 You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father. 2Ti 2:25-26 in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, (26) and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will. 1Jn 3:10 In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn't do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn't love his brother. 1Jn 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. Rom 6:20 For when you were servants of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Tit 3:3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Psa 143:2 Don't enter into judgment with your servant, for in your sight no man living is righteous. Pro 20:9 Who can say, "I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin?" Ecc 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn't sin. Job 14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one. Jer 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil. Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray. Everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Mat 7:18 A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. 1Co 2:14 Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 2Co 3:5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 1Co 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? Rom 11:35-36 "Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?" (36) For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

[@DiscipleDojo]

People who copy and past walls of prooftexting without interacting with the points made in what they are commenting on are either dishonest, or trolling...or both. Don't be like johnnyanglo6709, folks.

[@johnnyanglo6709]

UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION Adam's transgression left mankind as guilty sinners, fallen creatures with no desire for fellowship with God. They do the will of their father, the devil. Therefore, before the foundation of the world, God chose certain individuals out of the fallen world to be the objects of His love and undeserved favor. God could have saved everyone or no one; He was under no obligation to show mercy to anyone. God's choice of saving certain sinners was not based on their known future actions but on God's good pleasure and sovereign will, based on His eternal purpose. Those not chosen for salvation are left to choose based on their evil desires. Man has no right to complain to God for Him sovereignly determining to provide salvation for some. Some verses follow that teach of God's unconditional election: Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh, the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance. Psa 65:4 Blessed is one whom you choose, and cause to come near, that he may live in your courts. We will be filled with the goodness of your house, your holy temple. Psa 106:5 that I may see the prosperity of your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance. Mat 11:27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him. Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few chosen." Mat 24:22 Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened. Mat 24:31 He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. Luk 18:7 Won't God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them? Rom 8:28-30 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. (29) For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (30) Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. Rom 8:33 Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Rom 11:28 Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 1Th 5:9 For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1Th 5:9 For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1Pe 1:1-2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (2) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood 1Pe 2:8-9 and, "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. (9) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Rev 17:14 These will war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings. They also will overcome who are with him, called and chosen and faithful." Eph 1:4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; 2Th 2:13 But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth; 1Th 1:4 We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, Rev 17:8 Those who dwell on the earth and whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see that the beast was, and is not, and shall be present. Rom 9:11-13 For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls, (12) it was said to her, "The elder will serve the younger." (13) Even as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy. Rom 10:20 Isaiah is very bold, and says, "I was found by those who didn't seek me. I was revealed to those who didn't ask for me." 1Co 1:27-29 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; (28) and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are: (29) that no flesh should boast before God. 2Ti 1:9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, Eph 1:11 in whom we also were chosen to an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of the One working all things according to the counsel of His own will, Eph 2:10 for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God before prepared that we should walk in them. Joh 15:16 You have not chosen Me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and should bear fruit, and your fruit remain, that whatever you may ask the Father in My name, He may give you. Act 13:48 And hearing, the nations rejoiced and glorified the Word of the Lord. And as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. Act 18:27 And he having intended to go through into Achaia, having been encouraged, the brothers wrote to the disciples to welcome him; who, arriving, helped much the ones who were believing through grace. Php 1:29 because it was granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf, Php 2:12-13 So, then, my beloved ... cultivate your salvation with fear and trembling, (13) for it is God who is working in you both to will and to work for the sake of His good pleasure. 2Th 2:13-14 ... brothers, having been loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, (14) to which He called you through our gospel, to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jas 2:5 Hear, my beloved brothers, did not God choose the poor ones of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to the ones loving Him? Rom 11:7 What then? What Israel seeks, this it did not obtain, but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened; 2Ti 2:10 Because of this, I endure all things on account of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation, the one in Christ Jesus, with everlasting glory. Exo 33:19 ...And I will call out the name of Jehovah before your face. And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. Deu 7:6-7 For you are a holy people to Jehovah your God. Jehovah your God has chosen you to be for a people to Him, a special possession out of all the peoples that are on the face of the earth. (7) Jehovah did not set His love on you or choose you because you were more in number than any people, for you were the fewest of all peoples. Mat 20:15 Or is it not lawful for me to do what I desire with my things? Or is your eye evil because I am good? Rom 9:21-24 Or does not the potter have authority over the clay, out of the same lump to make one vessel to honor, and one to dishonor? Jer. 18:6 (22) But if God, desiring to display wrath, and to make His power known, endured in much long-suffering vessels of wrath having been fitted out for destruction, (23) and that He make known the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy which He before prepared for glory, (24) whom He also called, not only us, of Jews, but also out of nations. Rom 11:5-6 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (6) And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. Eph 1:5 having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered Yahweh, (2) "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be restrained. Psa 115:3 But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases. Psa 135:6 Whatever Yahweh pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps; Isa 55:11 so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing I sent it to do. Jer 32:17 Ah Lord Yahweh! behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm; there is nothing too hard for you, Mat 19:26 Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

[@johnnyanglo6709]

Or better yet, to DiscipleDojo's rebuke, rather than being dishonest, the pertinent Scriptures posted inform those with the mind of Christ on how God views the topic at hand. Because Scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, it does not return void to the reader. Those granted eyes and ears to see and hear can understand and draw conclusions on their own because the "walls of proof-texting" are God repeatedly reaffirming, in this case, the inability of fallen mankind to do good, seek out God's forgiveness, receive spiritual truths, repent, and thereby please God. Unfortunately, on the topic of Total Depravity, the video provided no Scripture supporting the Arminian view to refute. The video has someone saying at the 4:40 point in defense of Arminianism, "God lifts us up out of the muck and the mire and shows us His beauty . . .He gives us the choice whether we want to go back to what is comfortable, good, and fun, or go with whatever is more beautiful and better." The video states, without proof or regard to the volume of Scriptures that refute such a belief, that spiritual regeneration is NOT needed in man; anyone can choose the good, which is to repent and believe. It goes on to say the biblical phrase "dead in our sins" does NOT mean you are incapable of responding positively to God's salvation. These are statements without proof-texts. They are just declarations of the way Arminians want things to be, which is, if one must make an assessment, dishonest and trolling an audience in hopes they will not recognize the lie. To that point, Eph 2:1-10 says, "You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins . . . But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) . . .For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them." The Total Depravity proof-texting wall is God's reply to the false Arminian idea that the spiritually dead will, out of their supposed spark of spiritual life, seek salvation and choose God. Rather, to be "dead in sins" means just what God says: To be lost in the futility of their mind, to be darkened in their understanding, alienated from God's truth, and willfully ignorant with their hearts (spirit) hardened toward God. Eph 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, (18) being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; (19) who have become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But for the true believer, this was the "former way of life, the old man" (vs 22), who was working in "all uncleanness and greediness" (Vs 19). Yet, because the believer is God's workmanship, He has "renewed in the spirit of your mind," according to Paul, and made the believer "put on the new man," which is the new regenerated spirit, which Paul says is now "in the likeness of God," meaning is compatible with the mind of God rather than antagonistic against God. Because according to Paul, the believer "has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth." The believer is a work of God, being His new CREATION made in His likeness. The new man with a perfected spirit now possesses a relationship of kinship with God, an affinity for Truth, and is made able to receive the things of God. The necessity of the new birth, which Nicodemus feigned not to understand, is the work of God that precedes a person's change of mind (repentance) and is integral in salvation, such that the word of God is afterward received by faith. Faith is a part of the gift of the Spirit as God's truth informs the person and brings forth out of a new spirit the fruits of the Spirit, the evidence of salvation. The elected individual can now walk in faithful obedience as a new creation in Christ because of Christ's atonement and because of the Spirit's application. This is the only way the lost are made a "good tree with good fruit" that is pleasing to God. Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Eph 5:8-10 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, (9) for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, (10) proving what is well pleasing to the Lord. The video presented the Arminianist deception of a choice. In this, Scripture is turned upside down. Now, God can only try to woo a person into His camp, and if the person decides to join God's team, they do so, and God "saves" them. Or, if they would rather, they can choose to go back to their life of debauchery, freely choosing to live or die based on their willpower. An autonomous decision, they would say, that God will not violate. The Arminian makes many such declarative assertions, but they turn to vain rubbish if compared to Scripture. If you can read and understand what God says in the wall of proof-texting, which is how God thinks about the state of mankind, then you will note the profound differences between God's Truth and Arminian dogma. The Arminian can say all day that you have free will and salvation is your choice (making you the kingmaker in your salvation and God a sideline actor powerless to affect change), for they are proof of the pretentiousness of rebellious mankind. Rather, God says the lost are in bondage to sin and dark rebellion, hating the Light (Christ), hating God's Truth, and it is only because God transforms a person into a "new man" (or woman) that anyone can believe unto salvation. The Arminian wants you to believe that a rotten tree will produce good fruit, that a rotten spirit will turn to God and believe. Therefore, since God is regenerating to life certain individuals (not everyone), the next truth follows logically: God has Elected some of the fallen humanity to receive the new birth in Christ. It is those who will be eternally saved (those chosen by the Father are given to Christ to redeem, having the sins removed) and whom the Holy Spirit then grants spiritual life in being "born from above" and indwells them, empowering the person to receive the truth and believe. So, read further about God's Unconditional Election if you want to understand the beauty of God's salvation program.

[@williambradley8799]

You are discounting a lot of scripture, then. For starters: 1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." Chosen, called, the very basis of Calvinism. There is much more scripture supporting The Doctrines of Grace.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Did you actually watch the video? Calvinists aren't the only ones who believe in election or being chosen...they just think it's unconditional. Note the Old Testament background to what Peter is calling the church and what it meant for Israel. It was never individual election in the OT. It was corporate...just as it is in the NT.

[@williambradley8799]

@@DiscipleDojo We are chosen, called, elected, individually, into the corporate body of the Lord Jesus Christ unconditionally. God is sovereign in all matters, including, and especially, in salvation. For He said, I will have mercy, on whom I will have mercy.

[@Barbara-pe2jf]

Peter was talking to Jews who understood where this Scripture originated. Jews are a chosen people to bring forth the Messiah and proclaim God to all nations. Non Jews are grated into this people through Jesus the Messiah. Peter was not a Calvinist. 😃

[@williambradley8799]

@@DiscipleDojo You are most mistaken. Abraham, Noah, Joseph, Moses, all the major and minor Prophets, the 12 Disciples, were "chosen" individually by the power of the Holy Spirit - not corporate. Together, they make up the corporate.

[@TesterBoy]

This is far from a thorough explanation of Calvinism (or free will and man's responsibility for that matter). To say that Calvinism is the same as determinism shows that this speaker has not fully studied the totality of scripture with regard to God's decrees. To say that God took a risk in making us shows that the speaker doesn't know the biblical definition of God's sovereignty.

[@DiscipleDojo]

You would think an account named "Reality Check" wouldn't misrepresent what was said in a video they are criticizing. You would think...

[@davidgagnon7806]

What happened to people who lived and died before Jesus was born -- even in far distant lands or in small tribes in the jungle or the bush? Did they go to hell because they lived and died before Jesus was born and never even heard of a Jew, let alone a Jew named Jesus? I really would like to know because this just seems patently unfair.

[@brentmccain7737]

Fair is sending us all to hell. Is that what you want?

[@davidgagnon7806]

@@brentmccain7737 Sending me to Hell for WHAT?

[@brentmccain7737]

@@davidgagnon7806 non-conformity to God: sin. Romans 1 explains it, specifically starting with v18, but it's always best to start at the beginning of any chapter/book. Context.

[@davidgagnon7806]

@@brentmccain7737 Read the entire Bible three times. On my fourth time now. I'm into Mark now.

[@brentmccain7737]

@David GAGNON very good, sir. Mark's gospel to the romans.

[@brentmccain7737]

This guys sermon is a prime example of poor biblical scholarship. Even a basic course in hermeneutics, teaching the literal-historical-grammatical interpretation of scripture will teach you that interpretation is not reader based, but author based. What did the author mean? Along with this comes a full study of entire chapters, background, complete verses not paraphrased and taken out of context (e.g. Romans 7), order in which Paul's letters were written, original languages, etc. I've no doubt that this gentleman is a genuine born again believer, but before you buy his sales pitch, read the fine print of scripture surrounding his proof texts, entirely. If you want to read another Apostle and also read Christ's own words, read John 1, 3, 10, 15, 17. Jesus' own words cannot be more clear. BE DILIGENT IN YOUR OWN STUDIES.

[@DiscipleDojo]

1. There was no sermon in this video 2. There were no prooftexts in this video 3. I teach hermeneutics. 4. You just suggested reading isolated chapters of one book of the Bible. Ironic, no?

[@brentmccain7737]

@@DiscipleDojo 1. sooooo, what am I listening to starting at 1:06? 2. There are plenty of proof texts and paraphrasing in this video. 3. Brother, plenty of people teach hermeneutics, but that doesn't automatically me that the author's intention is properly understood. 4. Ironic? No. I simply gave some broader options than simply tossing out a few isolated texts.

[@DiscipleDojo]

1. You're listening to a lecture given at a college leadership gathering. 2. There are no prooftexts. Prooftexing is taking passages out of context and stringing them together without commentary. That is not done in this video. 3. It does mean that your claim that I need a 'basic course in hermeneutics' is rhetorical bombast rather than accurate critique. 4. You literally tossed out random chapters, as if reading those is something ONLY Calvinists have ever done. If you'd like to critique specific points, feel free to do so. But take a cue from the other Calvinists in this comments section who have engaged with thoughtfulness and charity in disagreement rather than making baseless claims and flippant dismissals. Don't be a "cage stage" Calvinist; be a thoughtful and humble Calvinist.

[@brentmccain7737]

My brother, it is apparent I have struck a nerve, as indicated in your agitated response, especially when someone gets into name calling. I want to apologize sincerely for doing so. Black and white words do not always convey the intent or attitude of the writer. Again, I want to apologize and ask for your forgiveness. I would like to continue a discussion with you and want to take some time to relisten, take notes, and offer some alternative thoughts to what you have offered your listeners. I've only listened twice, at the moment, so I haven't cataloged all my thoughts. This will take some time, but I would like to present them to you. A full time job, dad of four kids, two of whom are about to begin their next semester at Master's U (which includes mom and dad studying with them), prepping for church teaching, and a household to manage, I can only allow so much time for peripheral stuff. I would like continue by private email, or I can coalate my thoughts into a Google Doc and share the link for all to see. The ball is in your court, bro. Sincerely, a brother from another mother.

[@dbrinson1691]

Calvin was a 4 pointer... he did not hold to limited atonement. All that the Father hath given the Son, shall come to the Son, and HE will in nowise cast them out. And His name shall be called Yeshu/ Ieso-us for HE...SHALL....SAVE...HIS people, from their sins. And remember, faith is a fruit of the Spirit...and that salvation is by grace, through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. This is the work OF GOD; that you believe on Him in Whom He hath sent. Salvation is of the LORD, there is none else beside Him so, no man can come unto the Son unless the Father drags him, and no man can come to the Father but by the Son, who seeks and saves that which is lost and saves to the uttermost them that are His. All the work of God...the Father elects those who will be in the Son and them Son propitiated for those to whom the Father elects and them Holy Ghost gives life and all that pertains to godliness and true holiness to all them having been given like precious faith with the apostles as predestined and written in the Lamb's book of Life since before the foundation of the world. Being crucified with Christ they nevertheless live, and the life they now live they live by the faith of the Son of God who loved them and gave His life for them...SALVATION is all of God...the WORK OF YESHU/ JESUS...ALL OF IT. AMEN!

[@DiscipleDojo]

Did you watch the video? Because each of those points are addressed in it from a non-Calvinist perspective as well. So just stringing assertions together doesn't really get to the root of the differences in how they are interpreted by Calvinists and Non-Calvinists, I'm afraid.

[@dbrinson1691]

@DiscipleDojo Calvinists are simply a different branch of Arminians... both believe man does something to merit their salvation. So, I already know what would be in this video, as I have sat in churches from both points of view, and they all have the same foundation for salvation...something in and of one's self is responsible for being saved. And I just typed out what flowed from within...all Bible...from Yeshu, to Paul, to Peter...even Isaiah and if my cat hadn't required my attention I think more would have kept flowing out of me like rivers of living waters... the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned. If a man is not born of the Spirit faith has not come as it comes by hearing (understanding) and hearing (understanding) by the word (rhema) of God. But, thanks for asking. Videos are well done, but I won't hear anything I haven't already. Those who believe they are saved by ANYTHING of themselves are not saved. That's all. All glory be to God and God alone. Amen.

[@waltergoraj5238]

Sorry sorry sir, you cannot deny the fact that being able to choose salvation over someone else is not an act of boasting on your part and favoritism from God and you know sure well that God is not a respecter of persons. Put in another way. It would mean that one person has the power of overcoming their sinful nature over another and make a decision to have eternal life. We are all dead in sins and trespasses and for that reason we want nothing to do with God and cannot please him in our sinful existence. And I'm sorry once again but Christ's sacrifice is not sporadically or conditionally effective but perfect. I do agree with you in the analogy of Israel being Christ. Most certainly the seed of Jacob is the seed of Christ.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Of course I can deny it, because it's a bogus premise to begin with. There is no boasting when it comes to receiving a gift that someone else chooses to reject. No one would ever say that such a thing is a possibility...except 16th century theologians looking to justify their doctrinal construct. :-)

[@SB_McCollum]

@22:30 Calvinists are into pantomime, see also the "roles" of men and women in the church and the family. Doesn't matter what your actual gifts are, pretend to be what [a particular] doctrine wants you to be. The church is a people, not a production, not a business organization.

[@DiscipleDojo]

You are conflating Calvinism with Complementarianism. Those are two different issues and do not always coincide.

[@SB_McCollum]

@@DiscipleDojo I'm not conflating them, I just pointed out that the two coincide at a very high rate, and it's the intellectual ferocity that encourages it. Calvin captured God in his cranium, all things in proper order and running efficiently.

[@hasimhodzic9649]

You are not qualified to talk about this subject and should prayerfully study more and speak less.

[@DiscipleDojo]

That's silly.

[@michaelfalsia6062]

There is nothing new here. All of this has been said one way and another and more eloquently then my friend her. The plain meaning of words and scripture are turned on their head. There is only one way to understand scripture on this subject and it is not here however clever Mr Dojo thinks he is. This is why I am a lover of God's Sovereign electing righteous grace and love for His elect in Christ. You have not refuted anything although you are more pleasant to listen to than others. I'm afraid my Brother and I do say Brother you are just plain wrong on this particular subject. Let God be true and everyone a liar however sincere they may be. Nice try though.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Well at least you're not super condescending in your response...oh wait... 😅