tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6415216177401538805.post3120431681037016892..comments2023-08-04T12:50:34.652-04:00Comments on THEOparadox - The Biblical Paradox Blog: Divine Decrees, Election and Hell: A Moderate Calvinist ViewpointTHEOparadoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03214982083585956095noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6415216177401538805.post-18733237505231490282013-01-19T11:21:37.249-05:002013-01-19T11:21:37.249-05:00Mr. Mcgranor,
Thank you for commenting. Although ...Mr. Mcgranor,<br /><br />Thank you for commenting. Although I guess we wouldn't agree on the fine points, I appreciate your thoughts and enjoy your style! You have a real flair for words.<br /><br />Grace & peace,<br />DerekTHEOparadoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214982083585956095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6415216177401538805.post-72994101330277550102013-01-12T23:20:12.112-05:002013-01-12T23:20:12.112-05:00Jeff,
One other thought: on some topics, the diff...Jeff,<br /><br />One other thought: on some topics, the difference between moderate and high Calvinists is not in the propositions they affirm, but in the emphasis they place on certain propositions. They might believe the same basic "facts" regarding a given doctrine, but the things that are downplayed or emphasized will make all the difference. It can be subtle.THEOparadoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214982083585956095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6415216177401538805.post-23870037649576205582013-01-12T23:07:55.359-05:002013-01-12T23:07:55.359-05:00Jeff,
Although Calvin held essentially moderate v...Jeff,<br /><br />Although Calvin held essentially moderate views on most of the important topics, I think he would see God as more active in reprobation than I do. This is probably true of Sproul as well. I haven't read much of Mike Horton's work, so I am not sure where he stands on the relevant issues. Sproul and Horton are good theologians, but both would probably be classified as high Calvinists.<br /><br />We are all bound up with many unjustified or unscriptural opinions. I have found the best way to escape from my own philosophical snares is to practice the following:<br /><br />1. Always start and end with Scripture (God's inerrant Word) as THE authority.<br />2. Affirm whatever Scripture affirms, even if at first it doesn't seem to jive with everything else (if you do this, you will likely end up with some conundrums to work through).<br />3. Work carefully and prayerfully, with all of the mental power God has given you, to compose a logically coherent "solution" to the difficulties.<br />4. Consult the best theologians and resources you can find, and use whatever is helpful in their approach (even if you vehemently disagree or are uncertain on some points).<br />5. Accept the fact that you may fail to achieve the level of understanding you desire. Admit that some things will be left as mysteries or inexplicable to you.<br />6. Respect those who disagree with your conclusions, and admit that they <i>could</i> be right (on points that are not clearly defined in Scripture).<br />7. Make the pursuit of theological understanding a worship experience. Try to match increased knowledge with increased service to others, intercessory prayer and thanking God for little things.<br /><br />I know you already follow most of this advice, so I am partially preaching to myself in your hearing when I write this.<br /><br />My favorite resource for evidence of Calvin's moderate views (and the moderate views of many other Calvinists), including extended quotations from the original source materials, is my friend David's site: calvinandcalvinism.com. He has everything indexed nicely by author and by topic to help you find specific information.<br /><br />Of course, there are degrees of moderation. Most Calvinists, even moderate ones, would take a more "hard line" stance on some topics than I do. And I can live with that.<br /><br />God's blessings to you, and fruitful studies!<br /><br />Derek<br />THEOparadoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03214982083585956095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6415216177401538805.post-58151527898039490762013-01-12T22:27:46.705-05:002013-01-12T22:27:46.705-05:00He decides to allow many (or perhaps most) sinners...<i>He decides to allow many (or perhaps most) sinners to voluntarily condemn themselves. Thus reprobation is nothing more than the absence of election. </i><br /><br />Do you have anything to read on Calvin's theology on this and also the specific differences between that and the less moderate view? I'm finding more and more that I'm a moderate/historical Calvinist, but I need more Scripture and reason because I'm lapsing into logic and opinion. I need to go back to parts of the Institutes, though that may take some time and I think I do have a book on Sproul's view of this in The Truth of the Cross.<br /><br />I'm reading a book on suffering by Horton and he seems to be moderate. I like him a lot so far.<br />JeffScripture Zealothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16369216903482122513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6415216177401538805.post-5176370590515377922013-01-12T19:36:21.297-05:002013-01-12T19:36:21.297-05:00I do not believe evil as an ends to good. Nor do i...I do not believe evil as an ends to good. Nor do i discount quirks in the natural order; nor man's game of chance. Mr. Mcgranorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12851136550476241757noreply@blogger.com