I took some time out to what to hear Dr. Ron Comfort explain his concerns of reformed theology and why he is a dispensationalist'. To be honest, I would rather read a transcript than listen (unless obviously, I'm driving) but nevertheless, I took the time required to hear what the critic had to say. Would he say something I hadn't heard before? Something that would really set me thinking and reviewing my adherence to a Biblical hermeneutic which I have adopted for the past 30 years?
From the blurb, I was under the distinct impression that the interview would focus on these subjects, but they were not mentioned at all until practically the 20 minute mark. The majority of the interview was taken up with Dr. Ron Comfort speaking movingly about his background, conversion to Christ and subsequent ministry at Ambassador College etc.
There
was practically nothing said about Dispensationalism at
all, other than Dr. Comfort affirm that he believed it. He gave but two
short reasons why he does not embraced covenant or Reformed Theology. To
summarise the 90 seconds he actually spoke on Calvinism:
(1) He sees free will in the Bible.
(2) If God predestinates people to Heaven or Hell - then why evangelise?
That was it.
Two things by way of reply:
1)
Calvinism sees man's free will on every page of the Bible too. Man is
free to follow the dictates of his own heart and does so without any
violence offered to it by His Creator. Unfortunately, man's heart is
wicked and subsequently (unless preventing grace intervene) man's
decisions are wicked too. Every page of God's word also reveals that man
is in bondage to sin (John 8:34) and that sin's chains affect his whole
being, including his heart. The unsaved man does not enjoy the liberty
of the sons of God until he is set free by believing the truth of God
(John 8:32). It is only whom the Son sets free, who is free indeed (John
8:36) and not those who stubbornly (of their own free will) resist Him.
And yes, Calvinists do believe that sinners can, and do, reject the grace of God.
2) Why evangelise if God has predestinated people to Heaven or Hell? Well, here are no less than 8 reasons why, and an application of the same faulty reasoning which Dr Ron Comfort engages in. Basically, I must wonder: Surely the learnéd Doctor knows by now that Calvinism believes that God has ordained the means as well as the end?
So
that was that. I must admit I am somewhat surprised that this interview
was marked up in the way that it was. I freely accept that it was not
Dr. Comfort's fault that it was severely over packaged. (BTW: This
review should not be seen as an attack on Dr. Comfort or indeed anyone.
There might well be other places to go to see his theme developed more,
but the above interview obviously isn't it. Indeed, without sounding
harsh, it took on all the characteristics of a damp squib, as far as an
attack on Calvinism is concerned.)
Will
anyone abandon Calvinism and embrace its alternative on the basis of
this interview? I doubt it. Will they be strengthened to continue on in
their position? Probably. Once again, another attack on Calvinism is
left to wallow in its own self failure.
#Shalom
THE END
Amazing that they just keep trotting out the same tired arguments. Why evangelize? Do these people not understand that many of the missionaries that spent their very lives in the mission field were "calvinists"?(versus those today who go on short-term trips) Missionaries Adoniram Judson and William Carey and Amy Carmichael are just three that I could mention of many, many more.
ReplyDelete"Free will"? Do they actually believe that man's free will overrides God's sovereignty? What about God's free will? Is not the Holy Sovereign Creator of the universe more free than man the mere creature? Many of these need to read Isaiah, the whole book. Or if not then read Isaiah 2:11; 17. And then realize that your "god" is too small if you believe that God's will can be thwarted by man's. We give man too much credit! I fear that the god that many are worshipping is not the God of scripture!
We need to keep pushing these points home. Thanks for dropping by again.
ReplyDeleteColin, I read a great booklet by AW Pink about this subject. He made the point that if Christ died for ALL the sins of ALL men then He died for their unbelief! Also that if Christ died for all the sins of all men then why does the scripture over and over tell us that sinners will be in hell for never repenting of their sins? See for example Revelation 21:8
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad that so many have begun their doctrine of these things starting with man rather than starting with God. (well, that is those that have thought it through. but i fear that many have not thought it through nor read the writings of godly men throughout history to consider whether these things are true. many are shallow theologically and just believe what someone tells them rather than studying the scriptures for themselves)
Exactly. The Unlimited Atonement doctrine must eventually splutter to a stop or reach the destination of Universalism. Thankfully many of its proponents become inconsistent and stop short that embrace the latter heresy.
ReplyDelete