Comments on Musings of a Seminary Washout: Daniel Hixon's Refutation of Calvinism, Part 1

Hey Brent,I stumbled across your blog somehow, and...

2008-05-12T15:09:00.000-05:00

Hey Brent,

I stumbled across your blog somehow, and just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the humility and honesty conveyed in your presentation. Truthfully, I see the truth in Calvinistic doctrine but the attitudes of professing Calvinists have made those truths very difficult to accept, even repulsive at times. And it has been confusing to me... because like you said, Calvinism seems like it should do anything but spawn elitists.

With that said, thank you. Last summer, I met a couple who discussed the points of Calvinism with me in a way that made them so much easier to receive.. and I saw for the first time that Calvinism isn't anything like a doctine of elitism. It is a doctrine of grace. That was so attractive to me. What I just read here was refreshingly familiar.. and I look forward to reading what's to come.

I still think restraining grace or common grace as...

2007-01-30T16:01:00.000-06:00

I still think restraining grace or common grace as represented in outward things (institutions and such) must also have some inward effect since we at any time could destroy our institutions - as they only continue to exist by "common agreement" so to speak. This fascinating question is addressed in a book called "The Theo-political imagination" which has been highly commended to me.

The Scripture is clear that God does work internally in all men and leaders to place them as He pleases. However, human institutions are not in existence due to mere “common agreement.” Take the church, for instance. No Christian would ever say that man instituted the church…and its presence and influence in the world is by far the greatest restrainer of evil (compare the cultures of nations that are historically Christian with those that are not). Governmental institutions are also considered “gifts of God.” Governmental institutions derive their authority not from men, but God. Romans 13 is clear on this. 1 Peter 2:13-14 echo Paul’s sentiments.

There are countless examples in Scripture where the Lord causes a person to do things that are contrary to a sinful nature. Take Daniel 1:9, for example. God is credited with Daniel being in the favor of the chief of the eunuchs. Another example is Ezra 6:22. The LORD turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward the children of Israel.

The most common form on common grace is external, and common grace does more than just restrain. God does turn the hearts of those who are evil to do good things, but this is not salvation. Common grace not only restrains evil, but also allows unbelievers experience benevolent acts from God. Common grace refers to all the gracious acts of God in which men receive that which they do not deserve, excluding the act of saving them from sin.

It can come in the form of government, education, enjoyment, music, the arts, marriage, friendship, material blessing, among many others.

I meant to say "latter", not "former." The consens...

2007-01-30T15:27:00.000-06:00

I meant to say "latter", not "former." The consensus of Scripture is clear that righteousness is only by means of grace.

More to come...

2007-01-30T08:00:00.000-06:00

More to come...

Awesome of you to stop by, Daniel. I think our int...

2007-01-30T07:59:00.000-06:00

Awesome of you to stop by, Daniel. I think our interaction will be fruitful and fair--as it always has been.

I was quoting Genesis on Total Depravity as you point out, but the question (I did not have time to address) does arise about pre and post-flood depravity since Noah was rescued b/c he alone was "a righteous man" and this seems to be the cause of his being saved from death (though I emphasize "seems" there). I am not suggesting some theory to answer that question - I honestly have no idea - I am simply pointing out that it does arise.

There is an answer to this question in the text itself. Before the flood, in Genesis 6, the Scripture notes in verse 5 that "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

After the flood, in Genesis 8 (at the end of the chapter), "The Lord said in his heart, 'I will never again curse the ground for man's sake, although [other tx's say "for"] the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth."

The only men on earth at this point are Noah, his children, and their spouses. God did not necessarily choose Noah to preserve the human race because Noah was righteous. It could be argued that Noah was righteous because "Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." (Gen 6:8) This is one of the first things in the Scripture about Noah, other than his naming (5:29) and the mention of his children (5:32). In a sense, 6:8 is the intimate introduction of Noah in the Bible, and it begins with "Noah found favor [NKJV grace] in the eyes of the Lord." Then it says that "Noah was a just man."

From this text, the causality of one to the other is not clear. Did Noah find favor because he was righteous or was Noah righteous because he found the Lord's favor? From the consensus of the rest of Scripture, is has to be the former...

One more PS - If you want to read what my thinkin...

2007-01-28T14:53:00.000-06:00

One more PS -
If you want to read what my thinking looks like on my more Calvinistic days read this one:
http://gloria-deo.blogspot.com/2006/12/cs-lewis-quote-of-day.html
Again, I am emphasizing "paradox" over "schema" - that is why I don't generally claim to be an Arminian either, though there are some affinities...

PS! I still think restraining grace or common gra...

2007-01-27T19:45:00.000-06:00

PS!

I still think restraining grace or common grace as represented in outward things (institutions and such) must also have some inward effect since we at any time could destroy our institutions - as they only continue to exist by "common agreement" so to speak. This fascinating question is addressed in a book called "The Theo-political imagination" which has been highly commended to me.

Hey Brent, Excellent and fair-minded analysis, I ...

2007-01-27T19:42:00.000-06:00

Hey Brent,
Excellent and fair-minded analysis, I think. I poorly worded my intro to Total Depravit - as I say I don't have trouble with the concept, but we must be careful as always of divorcing theological terms from the Biblical concepts they are meant to convey. I was quoting Genesis on Total Depravity as you point out, but the question (I did not have time to address) does arise about pre and post-flood depravity since Noah was rescued b/c he alone was "a righteous man" and this seems to be the cause of his being saved from death (though I emphasize "seems" there). I am not suggesting some theory to answer that question - I honestly have no idea - I am simply pointing out that it does arise.

I would probably side with Calvin if we got to discussing it.

I am excited to see what you do with U and L (my real bones of contention) and also with P (which is really a question mark in my mind).

These sorts of discussions are much better done in print by the way so we have time to think clearly and charitably! Look out for a discussion of a Jonathan Edwards sermon on my blog in the next few days.

Hey, I just thought that you might want to adjust ...

2007-01-23T14:37:00.000-06:00

Hey, I just thought that you might want to adjust the timestamp, so that no one will mistake you for a hard partying Presbyterian ;-)

Good post Brent.

Thanks Chris...I mean captain observant. I actuall...

2007-01-23T14:14:00.000-06:00

Thanks Chris...I mean captain observant. I actually wrote this on Sunday, about 10:30 PM. I saved it as a draft so that I could space some of the posts out from the others.

One more thing about common grace: The term is not explicitly in the Bible with a definition (unlike saving grace), but its concepts are. Institutions that restrain the depravity of man, such as government, education, and the presence of God's people are gifts of God (directly stated to be so in Scripture)--and undeserved gifts of God at that.

God would be just in immediately snuffing out man's existence because of sin. It is was we deserve. The fact that God demonstrates restraint and patience in His justice--in which he lets unbelievers live out and possibly enjoy their lives, is an act of mercy and grace. Hence, common grace.

As a relatively recent convert to the Calvinistic ...

2007-01-23T13:55:00.000-06:00

As a relatively recent convert to the Calvinistic side of theology, I can appreciate the reservations men like Daniel have about us. I have felt the sting of full-on Calvinistic assault recently enough to be still picking some barbs out of my skin. Even after coming to agree with the doctrines of grace, I still detect a lot of it especially among “Internet Calvinists”, the recent hullabaloo at TeamPyro is a fine example. Fortunately, men like Brent here were kind and honest, while at the same time firm and resolute, in their dealings with me. This was important in my journey as it helped to at least partially dismantle the initial revulsion that was preventing me from giving fair consideration to the concepts they were trying to communicate. I’m with you here, a more considerate attitude is needed while discussing gospel truth with brothers and sisters in Christ.

“More to come...wifey says it's time for bed.”

Wouldn’t you agree that this statement looks odd considering you posted it at 9:58AM?