For most of my life I was an Arminian Christian. I wrote and taught Arminian theology for many years. But I was not merely an Arminian, I was passionately against Calvinism. No one wrote against Calvinism with more passion than I did. I even prayed against Calvinism. I think it would be accurate to Read More …
Introduction In the passage below, Jesus warns us about “false prophets” (false teachers). They’re either deceivers or are totally deceived themselves. This also applies to false believers, those who believe and practice what false prophets teach (Lu 6:43-45). He tells us to “watch out.” Jesus gives us this warning and instruction because it’s important Read More …
If there’s a doctrine that makes Christians uncomfortable and don’t like talking about, I think at the top of the list would have to be the doctrine of election. However, we can’t just ignore it, because to do so is to ignore the teachings of Christ. I believe the Bible teaches Sovereign Election. This Read More …
In John 10 Jesus reveals who He died for and who He calls to salvation. It confirms Sovereign Election and Particular Redemption. Note: It would be helpful for you to also read my Commentary on John 10. (John 10:14-16) – 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and Read More …
Introduction Is the atonement of Christ limited or unlimited in its scope? In other words, did Christ die for all people, as in every individual who comes into the world, or did He die for particular individuals, referred to in the Bible as “the elect?” There are several verses in the Bible that use Read More …
When I was Arminian in my theology, one thing that convinced me of the Arminian position on the doctrine of election, was the concept of corporate election. I studied it and wrote about it for years. It was a central focus of my writing. Ironically, it was this same corporate election that eventually led Read More …
Four, Arminian Corporate Election (CE) falls short in its understanding of the connection between Old Testament Israel and New Testament Israel, which results in an erroneous position on CE. First let me say that I am a strong proponent of Fulfillment Theology, which is a central teaching of Covenant Theology and New Covenant Read More …
Three, Arminian Corporate Election (CE) has the erroneous idea that Christ Himself is the group. In close association with the previous flaw (part 2), Arminian CE teaches that Jesus is essentially the group Himself — as the corporate Head of the group. But this cannot be, since the group is the Church, and Read More …
Two: Arminian Corporate Election (CE) fails to factor-in the two-fold election of Christ, which disallows the idea that we can share in His election. Arminian CE describes election in a manner that only takes in one aspect of Christ’s election. While it acknowledges that Jesus was chosen to be both the Corporate Head Read More …
(Please read Introduction first) Four Major Flaws of Arminian Corporate Election (CE) I have a lot of respect for the Arminian view of CE. It presents a scholarly and fairly plausible interpretation of the doctrine of election. There are certain aspects to that position that I agree with. I think it has the right Read More …
Introduction Union and Identification vs. Actual Sovereign Choice Corporate Election (CE) is normally associated with Arminian theology. However, it can be argued that CE is fundamentally a Calvinist position on the doctrine of election — which I shall do in this study. Central debate: Is election merely one of union and identification? Read More …
All Scripture quotations are from the 1901 American Standard Version (updated) unless otherwise noted. Introduction Like Romans 9, Romans 11 is one of the most important chapters in the New Testament regarding the doctrine of election, Israel and the Church. This discussion – that actually began in Romans 8 (especially verses 28-39) Read More …
All Scripture quotations are from the 1901 American Standard Version (slightly updated) unless otherwise noted. Introduction Romans 9 is one of the central passages of the New Testament in understanding the doctrine of election. Paul’s discussion really begins in chapter 8, and more specifically, Romans 8:28-39. Those verses serve as an introduction to Read More …
All Scripture quotations are from the 1901 American Standard Version (slightly updated). Introduction Romans 8:28-39 serves as the introduction to Romans 9. Therefore, in order to understand chapter 9, we must understand this passage in Romans 8. The subject is the doctrine of election. Particular redemption (limited atonement) is seen all over Read More …
Introduction How are we to understand the doctrine of election? Does God look down the corridor of time to see who will receive Christ as Lord and Savior, and then choose those individuals for salvation (as many Christians believe)? Or does God know and predestine certain individuals before they’re born? In the first case, Read More …