I will be doing a series on John 6 as it has become the favorite Calvinist proof text for the doctrines of unconditional election, irresistible grace, and inevitable perseverance. For some Calvinists it is the answer to every Arminian objection to "Reformed" theology. For this reason I want to take a close look at this chapter.
I will begin by explaining the Calvinist interpretation of the passage in such a way that I hope every Calvinist who reads it will nod his or her head in hearty agreement. I will then spend some time dissecting the "Reformed" interpretation to see if it conforms to sound exegesis. My third post will describe and discuss the presuppositions that will control my exegesis of the text. The final post in the series will be a detailed exegesis of the entire chapter from an Arminian perspective.
Please be patient with me as I work my way through this series. It is just in the early stages at present. I am excited about this series and hope that both my Arminian and Calvinist friends will benefit from it. If nothing else, it should generate some interesting discussions. Till then....
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"Answer all [the Calvinists'] objections, as occasion offers, both in public and private. But take care to do this with all possible sweetness both of look and of accent...Make it a matter of constant and earnest prayer, that God would stop the plague." -- John Wesley
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Fighting For The Angels
"If my understanding of predestination is not correct, then my sin is compounded, since I would be slandering the saints who by opposing my view are fighting for the angels." [RC Sproul, Chosen by God, pg. 14]
The purpose of this blog is to discuss the very important topic of soteriology (study of salvation) within the theological framework of Arminianism. This blog will serve as both an apologetic for Arminian doctrine and a polemic against the teachings of Calvinism. I hope that you will enjoy my posts and any interaction that they may generate. May God Bless you as you seek His truth (Jn. 17:17).
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"Besides, even true and living faith in Christ precedes regeneration strictly taken, and consisting of the mortification or death of the old man, and the vivification of the new man, as Calvin has, in the same passage of his Institutes, openly declared, and in a manner which agrees with the Scriptures and the nature of faith. For Christ becomes ours by faith, and we are engrafted into Christ, are made members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones, and, being thus planted with him, we coalesce or are united together, that we may draw from him the vivifying power of the Holy Spirit, by which power the old man is mortified and we rise again into a new life. All these things cohere together with each other in a certain order,and must thus also be considered, if any one be desirous of knowing them not confusedly but distinctly, and of explaining them well to others." [Works Vol.2 pg. 233, Wesleyan Heritage Collection].
11 comments:
I, for one, am looking forward to this series. Thank you for being willing to tackle it.
All gospel exegesis with specific doctrinal focus, must rely heavily on epistle foundation, especially Pauline.
I look forward to your treatise.
Cannot wait! I hope to benefit greatly from it, as we tend to glean from each other things that we had not thought of ourselves.
God bless you as you study.
Billy
Actually one of the big problems with Protestant theology has been the subordination of [the teaching of] Jesus to Paul. Christian doctrine should have its foundation in Jesus, and only in that light will Paul and the rest be properly understood.
Have fun with your study.
sean - it is the reverse, Jesus taught Paul the revelation of the church which was hidden before then. Even Peter and James and the rest had to be instructed about Gentile conversions and the uselessness of the law.
There are many time that Jesus mad salvation sound like works because he was dealing with the Jews who thought they could keep the law. Justification by faith is exclusively Pauling, coming of course from Christ Himself.
Nope. Putting Paul first allows people to ignore a whole lot of things Jesus told them to do. Also, it's the only way Calvinism is possible.
I have not seen an Arminian counter-exegesis to Calvinist claims in John Chapter 6. I am also looking forward to your defense of Arminianism
"Also, it's the only way Calvinism is possible."
Have you ever heard of the book of Romans?
What does the book of Romans have to do with Calvinism?
To a large extent, Calvinism is maintained by establishing a theological grid based on certain aspects of Paul's teaching then interpreting the rest of the Bible (especially the NT) from that perspective. Romans, especially chapter 9 (but not 10), features prominently in this system.
OTOH, if one starts with Jesus' life and teaching, especially in the Synoptics, it is extremely difficult to arrive at a Calvinistic theological system. Hence the push by some to subordinate the Gospels to the Epistles.
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