Kent’s Reviews > Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 Vols > Status Update

Nice! I asked the library to stock these and I just need to start tackling them. They have the first volume already. How is it going for you?

It's fine going. Just recently picked it up again. The man was a genius, not only in terms of his insights, but in terms of how he framed his theology and his command of Scripture. His writing is also quite colorful. He's clearly writing theology on the battleground, so to speak, in the face of an (human) enemy, and his ire is sometimes up. "Stupid" and it's forms and synonyms are not uncommon in this work.

Hey just like Martin Luther when he tells his opponent that his arguments are like dung carried on silver platters! ha ha ha. So I didn't know you were into Calvin's theology. Wasn't really sure where you stood. I am a big fan of Calvin's theology as it relates to the doctrines of grace. I have grown so much since examining Scripture through the lens of those doctrines. Oh and the Sola's are very good too. Excited to hear you reading these. I definitely need to put that on my list.

Well Noel, not to mislead you, I am not a Calvinist. I am Reformed Arminian (as opposed to Wesleyan Arminian). But I had various profs who were Calvinist, and I have friends who are Calvinist, and I work with a Calvinist (Pastor Ryan). Plus, many Calvinists have fed my soul through their writings, including Piper, Calvin (brilliant!), Carson, etc.

So I have not heard of the "reformed arminian" distinction. What would be the major differences between that and the Wesleyan arminian. Glad to hear of those great influences in your reading. By the way, have you ever heard of the Together for the Gospel conference? It's in Kentucky and is every other year. The premise is a bunch of Christians who agree on "what is the Gospel" but come from various denominational backgrounds. It's incredible. The speakers are top shelf theologians like Piper, Sproul, Macarthur, Dever, etc. Ok talk with you later and good talking with you. =)

Very familiar with TGC. As for the distinctions, a couple would include 1) some Wesleyan Arminians believe in entire sanctification in this life; Reformed doesn't believe we're perfected until after death; 2) Reformed Arms. hold to penal sub. theory of the atonement; Wesleyan Arms. sometimes go in for the governmental theory, or the moral influence theory; I'm not sure where Wesley himself stood on that--not everything Wesley believed is faithfully believed by his followers; 3) many Wesleyans Arms. believe that every time a Christian sins it's a loss of salvation and a person must be saved again; Reformed Arms. hold that apostasy is possible, but only after a long period of unrepentance and hardening of heart against the softening influences of grace. Those are some distinctions.

Kent,
Thanks, I was not aware of the two camps. What is cool is that we can still be brothers in Christ! =)