Calvinists And (Most) Arminians Agree On More Than You Think - Part I

FORMERLY TITLED: "WHY CALVINISTS AND ARMINIANS BOTH CAN BELIEVE IN A SOVEREIGN GOD."

This post was originally written to stand alone, but is now the first in a series titled "Calvinists And (Most) Arminians Agree On More Than You Think." This series will discuss...well, just read the title :) I refer to "(Most) Arminians" because there may be some who do not view God as being fully sovereign, and therefore do not agree with Calvinists about much, despite the fact that Arminian doctrine does allow for an equally powerful and sovereign God (which is the central point of Part I...).

The issue of God’s sovereignty is a big issue in the debate over Calvinism and Arminianism and everything in between. I am definitely NOT trying to settle that debate here. I am, however, going to try to make a point and clear up a bit of a misunderstanding so as to foster some degree of unity between both sides.

An Explanation of My Controversial (Though Orthodox and Completely Biblical) Eschatological Views - Part 2

II. PRETERISM (PARTIAL)

A. What Is Preterism (Partial)?

The belief of preterism, often called partial preterism, is the belief that some prophecies made in the New Testament that are believed by many to refer to the end of the world actually refer to events that have since occurred (fulfilling the prophecies). They predominantly revolve around the fall of Jerusalem and second destruction of the temple in AD 70.

An example would be what is known as the “Olivet discourse,” which is the conversation Jesus had with His disciples on the Mount of Olives in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Jesus speaks of his “coming,” of all kinds of signs, the end of the age etc. It is typically believed that it speaks of the end of the world, but I as a preterist hold that He is talking about the fall of Jerusalem.

An Explanation of My Controversial (Though Orthodox and Completely Biblical) Eschatological Views - Part 1

As most of you who know me know, I am what most would consider an "evangelical" Christian. You might also be aware that I hold to two views of eschatology (that is, the study of the end of the world) that are less common than some other views (especially the former). I was going to talk about them both, but it ended up getting so long I decided to split it up into two posts. My goal here isn’t to convince anyone (though I admit I go into the second a bit more than I thought I would). Truly, my goal is just to explain what I believe, you who follow this blog will know what I’m saying.

More Common Christian Sayings That I Don’t Like - “Jesus Died the Death We Deserved”

After my last post, I realized I could run with this idea of common Christian sayings that kind of rub me the wrong way. So, here’s one that, though common, I find a bit problematic.

“Jesus Died the Death We Deserved.”
Now, I need to be careful here. How this is phrased is very important. I am not denying that Jesus’ death (and resurrection) is what saves all who believe in Him. I am not denying that Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for us and that He turns away the wrath of God. I am not denying anything that Paul lays out in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

Why I Do Not Typically Say “God Is Good” When Something Good Happens To Me

Now, this is less a theological teaching as much as it is simply my 2 cents on something.

Now, it’s not uncommon to hear a believer say, when something good happens, “God is good.” Now of course, God is good. God alone is good. But while I am not slow to praise God, I don’t make a habit of saying “God is good” whenever something good happens to me. And here’s why: God’s goodness is not based simply on what happens on earth, yet I feel like that sounds like what is being said (though I know it isn’t). Now, He does show His goodness on earth all the time. But if we were to judge God’s goodness on what happens on earth, we’d hardly have a very good God!