Ryken vs. Ryken: Calvinist Inconsistency in Light of Billy Graham’s Gospel

Original Post 6/3/2020. Updated 1/22/2026 Dr. Ryken's 'Doctrines of Grace' or the Gospel of 'Good News'Dr. Ryken Describes Billy Graham’s Message as “Good News”Billy Graham’s Message of “Good News”Dr. Ryken Contradicts His Own Claims About Calvinism and Refuting Those Who Oppose It By Affirming Dr. Graham's Gospel MessageDr. Ryken and the Billy Graham Center DedicationWhich … Continue reading Ryken vs. Ryken: Calvinist Inconsistency in Light of Billy Graham’s Gospel →

Thomas Schreiner and Bruce Ware: The Calvinists’ False Dichotomy

Calvinists Thomas Schreiner and Bruce Ware edited a book in which prominent Calvinists contributed chapters on the various difficulties that plague their Calvinism. The book is titled Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace.1 Schreiner and Ware wrote the preface and introduction. In the introduction, they write, “…we are convinced that the … Continue reading Thomas Schreiner and Bruce Ware: The Calvinists’ False Dichotomy →

Eric Hankins and Leighton Flowers: Logic Demands We Reject Calvinism

Reprobation: 'A Horrible Decree'Two Diametrically Opposed HermeneuticsThe Hermeneutical DivideCalvinists Schreiner and Ware Argue Why Belief in Calvinism is UnwarrantedSound, Responsible Interpretive CriteriaDisengenuous CalvinistsThe Calvinist's Flight to MysteryHankins and Grudem: Reprobation as a Necessary Implication and Ways of AvoidanceHankins: Three Calvnist Strategies to Avoid the Logical Necessity of ReprobationFlowers, Hankins, and Craig: Logical Contradiction is Proof … Continue reading Eric Hankins and Leighton Flowers: Logic Demands We Reject Calvinism →

Helm, Calvin, and Castellio: The Battle for Reason and Common Sense in Interpretation

IntroductionCalvin on 'Two Wills in God' and Castellio's ResponseWhat Do You Think of Calvin's 'Two Wills in God' Explanation?Calvin Bans Reason, Moral Intuition, and Common Sense From His HermeneuticCalvinism is Exegetically and Philosophically FlawedCalvin: 'Particular Providence' and More On The 'Two Wills in God'Helm and Calvin v. CastellioA Serious Matter: Two Different Conceptions of GodConcluding … Continue reading Helm, Calvin, and Castellio: The Battle for Reason and Common Sense in Interpretation →

Acts 18:10 : Pastor Josh Howerton’s Confusion Concerning Predestination / PART 2

IntroductionA) The Broader Context of ActsActs 2: Peter's First Sermon, and the Gospel MessageActs 2:23: The Deliberate Plan and Foreknowledge of GodActs 3: Peter's Second Sermon, and the Gospel MessageActs 4: The Interrogation by the Jewish LeadershipActs 4:24 and 28: Sovereign Lord and PredestinationActs 5: Lies, Healings, Prison, PersuasionActs 6 and 7: The Disciples Increase … Continue reading Acts 18:10 : Pastor Josh Howerton’s Confusion Concerning Predestination / PART 2 →

Acts 18:10: Pastor Josh Howerton’s Confusion Concerning Predestination / PART 1

IntroductionHowerton on Predestination Summary Thoughts Introduction In his June 30, 2025, "Soteriology 101" podcast, Leighton Flowers critiqued a sermon by Josh Howerton, the senior pastor of Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, TX. The podcast is titled, "Acts 18:10 is NOT teaching Calvinism." To establish the context for my remarks below, I encourage you to take time … Continue reading Acts 18:10: Pastor Josh Howerton’s Confusion Concerning Predestination / PART 1 →

A Brief Critique of Wayne Grudem’s Reformed Calvinist Theistic Determinism and Doctrine of Unconditional Election

Grudem's Incoherent Theological StatementsGrudem Struggles With His Theistic DeterminismGrudem Flees to 'Mystery'The Reformed Calvinist Gospel: The Not-So-Good NewsGrudem Tries The 'Two Wills in God' DefenseUnconditional Election: A Most Difficult Doctrine for CalvinistsGrudem's Incoherence and Inconsistency ContinuesSo What Happened to the Good News?The False and Heretical Doctrines of Calvinism's Theistic and Soteriological Determinism Grudem's Incoherent Theological … Continue reading A Brief Critique of Wayne Grudem’s Reformed Calvinist Theistic Determinism and Doctrine of Unconditional Election →

A Theological Response to G. K. Beale’s Article: “An Exegetical and Theological Consideration of the Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart in Exodus 4-14 and Romans 9”

By Stephen Marcy, March 2008 / Revised March 2010, Oct. 2022 Beale’s Method and PurposeHermeneutical ConcernsBeale’s Calvinist Determinism and Treatment of the Exodus PassagesInstances of InconsistencyExodus and Romans 9The Larger Picture of the Exodus AccountThe Hermeneutical IssuePaul, Exodus, and Romans 9The Character of God, Salvation, and the Gospel Beale’s Method and Purpose We need to … Continue reading A Theological Response to G. K. Beale’s Article: “An Exegetical and Theological Consideration of the Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart in Exodus 4-14 and Romans 9” →

According to His Own Criteria, Is Erwin Lutzer’s Calvinist Soteriology Heretical?

Introduction and the Consideration of HeresyWhat You Believe Determines Your Eternal DestinyDechiphering Lutzer's Convoluted StatementThe Need for DiscernmentThe Heresy of Prosperity TeachingThe Heresy of Love and Unity Above All ElseA Study in Doctrine and the Law of Non-ContradictionWhat is the Gospel?Lutzer Helps Us Understand the GospelThe Question of HeresyConclusions on the Matter of Heresy Introduction … Continue reading According to His Own Criteria, Is Erwin Lutzer’s Calvinist Soteriology Heretical? →

1 Timothy 2:4-6: Leighton Flowers, Charles Spurgeon and the Hermeneutical Divide

The Christian Standard Bible translates 1 Timothy 2:4-6 in the immediate context as follows: “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good, and … Continue reading 1 Timothy 2:4-6: Leighton Flowers, Charles Spurgeon and the Hermeneutical Divide →