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 →

The Matter of Western v. Eastern Logic: Thomas Schreiner Affirms and Denies Logic

IntroductionAn Unfortunate Use of the Word 'Logic'The Intent of Klein and Pinnock's Critique of SchrienerSchriener's Problem: Theistic DeterminismLogic is Not Western or EasternThe Purview and Utility of LogicLogic and Context Working TogetherSchreiner Affirms and Denies Logic: An Attempt to Free Calvinism From Rational Assessment'What is Contradictory Cannot Be True': Schreiner Defeats His CalvinismExegesis Must Make … Continue reading The Matter of Western v. Eastern Logic: Thomas Schreiner Affirms and Denies Logic →

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 →

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 →

William Lane Craig’s Sound Evangelical Hermeneutical Principle

In his Defenders Series 3 Podcasts on the Doctrine of Man, Dr. William Lane Craig deals with the subject of the freedom of the will.[1] In three of these podcasts, he compares the Calvinist and Catholic views and then provides what he believes is a more biblically accurate view through an exposition of Romans 9 … Continue reading William Lane Craig’s Sound Evangelical Hermeneutical Principle →

The Friends of Israel, the Sovereignty of God and Election

Introduction Although the controversy over God’s sovereignty and election in relation with human freedom and responsibility goes back to Augustine (354 – 430 A.D.), it is typically set in terms of the Reformation era debate between Calvinism and Arminianism. Generally speaking, the doctrine of divine sovereignty is understood as God ruling or reigning over … Continue reading The Friends of Israel, the Sovereignty of God and Election →

Open Letter to Dr. Richard Land, President of Southern Evangelical Seminary

This letter was written on October 25, 2018 after last year's NCCA conference. October 25, 2018 Dr. Richard Land, President Southern Evangelical Seminary 15015 Lancaster Highway Charlotte, NC 28227 Dear Dr. Land, I want to thank you and SES for providing yet another informative and stimulating apologetics conference this year. I especially appreciated the … Continue reading Open Letter to Dr. Richard Land, President of Southern Evangelical Seminary →