Category Archives: Calvinism

paul was not a classical theist

Posted on May 28, 2014 by christopher fisher

Classical theists often turn to Romans 8:28 to “prove” God’s negative attributes, primarily omniscience and omnipotence: Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, God, Omnipotence, Omniscience, Open Theism, Theology | Leave a comment

the context of john 3:16

Posted on May 14, 2014 by christopher fisher

John 3:16 is the most famous verse in the Bible. It is simple and beautiful: 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, Jesus, Theology | 3 Comments

the status of homer in the ancient world

Posted on May 3, 2014 by christopher fisher

Homer wrote the Odyssey and the Iliad between 750 and 650 BC. Around 570 BC, Xenophanes introduced the notion that the Greek gods were false. Instead, the real god was without body: Clement of Alexandria Miscellanies 5. 109: Xenophanes of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, Greek History, Plato, Textual Criticism, Theology | 1 Comment

greek calvinists

Posted on May 3, 2014 by christopher fisher

In the time of Jesus, Greek religion had already mainly converted to Platonism. As such, Homer became an embarrassment. In order to salvage Homer, Greek theologians began reinterpreting him. Here is Plutarch in Morals: So, when thou readest in Homer … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, Figures of Speech, Open Theism, Theology | 2 Comments

moses convinces God to look good – exodus 32

Posted on April 21, 2014 by christopher fisher

In Exodus 32, God sees Israel’s first major rebellion against Him. While Moses is on Mount Sinai talking to God about commandments for Israel, Israel camps below and builds a false idol in the shape of a calf. God then … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, God, Omnipotence, Omniscience, Open Theism, Prophecy, Theology | 12 Comments

the conditional eternal kingdom of israel

Posted on April 19, 2014 by christopher fisher

In 1 Samuel 8, Israel demands a king. God feels rejected (1Sa 8:7) but appoints Saul (possibly a late fulfillment of Deuteronomy 17:15). God planned to use Saul and set Saul’s kingdom up forever. But Saul fails. God then revokes … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, God, History, Immutablility, Jewish History, Omniscience, Open Theism, Theology | 3 Comments

walter brueggemann on Scripture as advocacy

Posted on April 1, 2014 by christopher fisher

From Walter Brueggemann’s Theology of the Old Testament: …it is clear that Israel’s testimony is intended to generate an accepted, normative narrative construal of reality in which the members of Israel can live… It is readily imaginable that other testimonies … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, Open Theism, Textual Criticism, Theology | Leave a comment

God creates a cascading contingency plan

Posted on March 30, 2014 by christopher fisher

Throughout the Bible, God prides Himself on leading Israel out of Egypt. God’s prophets point to the event incessantly, God highlights His own power by pointing to the event, and the Bible repeatedly links this event with God. Israel seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, God, History, Jewish History, Omnipotence, Omniscience, Open Theism, Theology | 4 Comments

Jesus – lower than the angels

Posted on March 19, 2014 by christopher fisher

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. In Hebrews, Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, God, Jesus, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience, Open Theism, Theology | 1 Comment

the crucifixion was not a fixed event

Posted on March 15, 2014 by christopher fisher

There is an excellent exchange between Bob Enyart and Gene Cook. Enyart asks Cook about sin being for the glory of God. Calvinism asserts that whatever comes to past does so to maximize the glory of God. This leads to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Calvinism, God, Omnipotence, Omniscience, Open Theism, Theology | 9 Comments