This Week in Calvinism - July 31, 2015

• Calvin and (Herschel) Hobbs.
  
  
• Ian Hamilton describes how he first learned of God's sovereignty in salvation.
  
  
• Tim Challies invites you to join him in reading a modern classic: Knowing God, by J. I. Packer.
  
  
• In the most recent edition of The Dividing Line, James White responds to Dr. Michael Cox's article (linked to last week) "Is Calvinism Spiritual Racism?"
  
  
• Free ebook by J. C. Ryle from Monergism.

This Week in Calvinism - July 24, 2015

• Are you a superstitious Calvinist?
  
  
• Can you lose your salvation? Moody Radio hosts a discussion between Moody Bible Professor Bryan Litfin and Brian Shelton (no relation) of Toccoa Falls College.
  
  
• According to Dr. Michael Cox, "Calvinism is the dogma of spiritual determinism characterized by spiritual superiority." As far as he is concerned, it "is nothing short of baptized racism."
  
  
• If you have always read 1 Corinthians 2 through a Calvinistic lens, Leighton Flowers sets you straight.
  
  
• Bethel University boasts a "genuine, intellectually robust community" of students. "And when they're not engaged in a theological debate about Calvinism and Arminianism, maybe they'll meet someone special."
  
  
• John Piper begins a six-part video series on joy, based on the book of Philippians.

This Week in Calvinism - July 17, 2015

• Find out why academic Calvinism is a misnomer in this excerpt from Ian Hamilton's new teaching series "Calvinism and the Christian Life."
  
  
• Here's what's available from Ligonier Ministries on today's $5 Friday.
  
  
• Is your joy real?
  
  
• According to HuffPo's Bob Burnett, proponents of the culture war aren't Christians. "They are members of a sect, 'American Calvinism.'" These "'orthodox Christians' are intolerant and uncharitable. They embrace capitalism at all costs."
  
  
• Tim Challies reviews Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney.
  
  
• Dr. Jim Newheiser discusses seven gospel-centered principles for protecting your marriage.

This Week in Calvinism - July 10, 2015

• The "bear truth" about Calvinism?
  
  
• 10 distinguishing marks of John Calvin's preaching.
  
  
• Is limited atonement Calvinism's closet heresy? "My name is Caleb, and I used to be a Calvinist." You can kind of predict where this blog post is going.
  
  
• J. D. Hall on the stages of grief of Calvinism.
  
  
• Blessed without assurance.

This Week in Calvinism - June 26, 2015

• Jonathan Merritt interviews Barnabas Piper about his new book Help My Unbelief: Why Doubt Is Not the Enemy of Faith.
  
  
• John Piper on the Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex "marriage."
  
  
• Doug Wilson's response.
  
  
• I'm not sure what immigration has to do with Calvinism, but Keith Preston writes, "[T]he possible dilution of WASPish American culture with its Calvinist roots" isn't a reason to criticize immigration from Latin America.
  
  
• Big giveaway from Banner of Truth: a set of Puritan paperbacks, a multi-volume commentary on Romans, and Spurgeon's Lectures to my Students.

This Week in Calvinism - June 12, 2015

• Calvinism is not new to Baptists. In fact, "Calvinists once dominated Baptist church life in America."
  
  
• Ben Witherington is beginning a series of blog posts on Jacob Arminius. His reason: "Especially in the wake of the recent resurgence of certain very conservative kinds of Reformed thinking in America ... it is a good time to take a careful look once more at Arminius and his heirs."
  
  
• Roger Olson on prevenient grace:

  There are hints here and there in Arminius that he wanted to believe God is an equal opportunity savior, but I’m not convinced he really believed that. This is a point of difference among Arminians. Some (e.g., Wesley) believe God is an equal opportunity savior; others believe prevenient grace is attached to the gospel message and its communication (even if that happens sometimes supernaturally via angels or whatever). I do not think Arminius or any classical Arminian would say prevenient grace is given only to those God foreknows will respond positively to the gospel.

  
  
• Mark Jones discusses New Calvinism, Trinitarian worship, and American Flags.
  
  
• According to The Washington Post, American environmentalism has its roots in Calvinist churches.

This Week in Calvinism - June 12, 2015

• Enter to win a set of Calvin and Spurgeon mugs.
  
  
• According to one blogger, Ann Coulter isn't promoting white racism; she's promoting Calvinism. After all, protecting white American culture "is what calvinism (sic) is all about."
  
  
• How did anti-Calvinist pastors publicize their straw man attacks before YouTube?
  
  
• John Piper on the mystery of election.
  
  
• James White responds to Dr. Drew.

This Week in Calvinism - June 5, 2015

• Talking Calvinism with Robert H. Schuller.
  
  
• David Schrock discusses two common misunderstandings about Calvinism in Baptist history: 1) five-point Calvinists are hyper-Calvinists and 2) Calvinism is incompatible with Baptist doctrine.
  
  
• An atheist begins a video series reading through and reviewing The Defense of the Faith by Cornelius Van Til.
  
  
• Sinclair Ferguson on the doxological nature of Calvinism.
  
  
• John Piper on real Christian unity.

This Week in Calvinism - May 29, 2015

• Does God really love you? Ed Welch discusses suffering.
  
  
• Roger Olson sets the record straight on the Arminian doctrine of justification.
  
  
• Is it possible to believe the promises of God, and have the assurance of salvation, and yet be lost forever? Yes. Pastor John Piper explains.
  
  
• Tim Challies asks some questions of (the other) Pastor John.
  
  
• One ChristianForums.com member asks, "Would you expose an unbeliever or a recently converted Christian (babe in Christ) to calvinism?" You mean, would I share the gospel and encourage him to read the Bible? Yes.

This Week in Calvinism - May 22, 2015

• It seems we Calvinists follow a God who is "false, capricious, and arbitrary." So says Tim Alleman, a guy who sounds like he has never spoken to a Calvinist in his life. Please, if someone can make sense of his rambling, let me know.
  
  
• Identifying marks of New Calvinism, according to Gary Gilley at SharperIron.org
  
  
• Henry Volk isn't a Calvinist, but he thinks "we can expect more good things from the New Calvinism. God willing, it may even be the savior of American Christianity."
  
  
• Eight features of the best kind of Calvinism.
  
  
• Jesus poured out his joy for you.

This Week in Calvinism - May 15, 2015

• Calvinism is a "mental disorder." Whew! Now that I know what's wrong with me, I can get some help.
  
  
• "John 6:44 does not prove Calvinism." As this video demonstrates, anything can be refuted if you completely reinterpret scripture.
  
  
• I'm sorry, but when you make passing comments like, "Cromwell's semi-genocidal rampage through Ireland in the name of a Calvinist deity may have killed around 40% of the Gaels," it's hard to take anything else you say seriously, no matter what the topic may be.
  
  
• When God interrupts your plans.
  
  
• The recent debate on Romans 9 between James White and Leighton Flowers has been posted.
  
  
• And, of course, don't forget your free stuff.

The modern "Christian" position on "gay marriage"

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This Week in Calvinism - May 8, 2015

• Simmons College of Kentucky has formed ties with the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship. Its president, Kevin Cosby, welcomed the union because he was concerned about the introduction of Calvinism into his community. According to KBF interim coordinator Chris Sanders, "He sees the strain of Calvinism some are trying to plant there as harmful, as it makes people fatalistic and docile, the antithesis of African-American empowerment He is opposed to all forms of discrimination, be it race, gender or sexual orientation."
  
  
• Huh???
  
  
  
  
• David Mathis of Desiring God writes, "While the issue of online access to porn may be new to this generation — and progressively devastating to those who were exposed to it younger — the invitation to repentance from besetting sin is gloriously ancient."
  
  
• Doug Wilson shares his observations on the Baltimore riots.
  
  
• Free stuff? Sure. Who doesn't like free stuff?

This Week in Calvinism - May 1, 2015

• Peter Lumpkins asks, "[I]s there any great wonder there arose the continued objection that strict Calvinism appears to project some sort of theistic fatalism?"
  
  
• I wish Roger Olson would just come out and admit that he thinks most (if not all) Calvinists are "irrational, unteachable Christians."
  
  
• James White finishes up his review of David Gushee's "Reformation Project" presentation on (and endorsement of) homosexuality.
  
  
• God's will isn't always clear. Jon Bloom explains why.
  
  
• A very short prayer for your dullest days.
  
  
• As always on Friday, more free stuff from Tim Challies.