It is interesting the way new ideas will pop up at different places simultaneously. It is either coincidence or just that you were seeing them without being aware of them. Currently it has been around the term “New Perspective.” I am still not sure that I grasp the nuances but it is making some people go Rambo so it must have some interesting aspects.
As I first approached the term I was reading a book on theology called Reconsidering Key Biblical Ideas. I was finding that the authors were mentioning a number of points I had been coming across. I always like it when someone endorses my thinking. After investigating some key points they dropped the term on me on page 39. Okay. A new theological term in a book about theology. No big deal, or so I thought.
Shortly after becoming aware of the term the You Tube algorithm dropped a bit of click bait that had three theologians discussing the idea. I could tell from the names, which I knew, and the way the title was written that there would be some disagreement. “Disagreement” is a mild term.
They drew you in by a clip of an interview of a scholar named N.T. Wright. I have seen his name around but have not read anything he has written. He fit into that category in my head of “Basically reliable but open to confirmation”. What he said went along with the book. The they switched to a different clip with a group of about seven men sitting on a platform and at the end was a man named R.C. Sproul. I am familiar with Sproul. I used to be on his mailing list and received a monthly newletter from his organization, Ligonier Ministries. I knew I did not agree with him on some issues because he was a full-fledged Five-Point Calvinist. In spite of that there was I lot I topics I could learn from him on.
That acceptance ended when I was listening to a pod-cast in which he declared war on all Christians who did not embrace the total Reform theology. Literally, he declared war. He was taking off the gloves and going after the jugular. I don’t remember the exact words, this was at least 20 years ago, but that was his point.
When the moderater asked him in this clip what he thought about N.T. Wright his response was, “He is a heretic.” This was not one of those semi-humorous statements that we throw out when someone disagrees with us. His accusation and the memory of his previous statement brought to mind the attitudes of John Calvin back in the days when they were burning heretics and drowning
Anabaptists. He was deadly serious. I keep forgetting that there are people like that out there.
I will continue reading the book and its “heresy”. Part of that is because I totally reject Sproul’s theology. If I had to pick a heretic I would choose him and the theology of John Calvin. I would, however, stop far short of burning at the stake.
Forster, Roger and Marston, Paul. God’s Strategy in Human History, Volume II, Reconsidering Key Biblical Ideas. England: PUSH Publishing, 2013,
homo unius libri
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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship
Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship
This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.
Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.
This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.
Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.
Friday, January 24, 2025
Opus 2025-058: Stake Anyone?
Labels:
Calvin,
Persecution,
Theology
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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.