Soteriology 101 w/ Dr. Leighton Flowers

Dr. John MacArthur goes verse by verse through Romans 9 and Dr. Leighton Flowers gives the Traditional perspective as a contrast to MacArthur's Calvinistic reading of this hotly contested passage. This broadcast can also be viewed as a video presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG8ourHD9IM For more on this topic go to www.soteriology101.com To listen to the Wayne Grudem teaching on prayer referenced by Dr. Flowers please go here: http://podbay.fm/show/933102822/e/142... Before objecting to the label "Traditionalism" please read this article: http://connect316.net/about-us/why-tr...

This is a session taught by Dr. Leighton Flowers at the Texas Baptists Annual meeting in Waco, Texas 2016. This can also be viewed on YouTube with the Powerpoint presentation here: https://youtu.be/4ymS1SzKr-M Dr. Flowers goes over "Calvinism's Big Three" (Eph. 1, John 6 and Rom. 9) while defending a "Traditional" Southern Baptist interpretation of the text. Many have requested copies of this presentation since the event. Please feel free to share with others. For more from Dr. Flowers on this subject go to www.soteriology101.com. For more on the apologetic ministry please visit www.texasapologetics.com To support Dr. Flowers please visit www.soteriology101.com/support  

In a recent Dividing Line program James White once again critiqued Traditionalism (non-Calvinistic Southern Baptists). He began by address an offensive meme which suggested that White (and other Calvinists) believe that God made a man rape a child for His own glory. This video address the actual Compatibilistic (Calvinistic) arguments in a cordial and thorough manner by looking directly at quotes from James White and other leading Calvinistic scholars (including Calvin himself).  We also listen to the Bible Answer Man program to hear the debate between George Bryson and James White to examine what was actually said verbatim in an attempt to fairly unpack our points of disagreement with those who call themselves Calvinistic Compatibilists.

Dr. Leighton Flowers answers Andrew Rappaport from Striving with Eternity over Ephesians 2:4-5. (For some unknown technical reason, the video portion of this broadcast cuts out about half way through, but the audio continues to work.) 1) Traditionalists do NOT believe we make ourselves alive. God and God alone makes us alive. We believe God makes us alive through faith, not unto faith. We are called to repent so as to live, not the other way around. (John 20:31, Ezk 18:30-32, Eph. 2:1-9, etc) 2) We believe God makes us alive WITH CHRIST (or "in Him"). We do not believe God makes some people alive so that they will be 'in Him,' but that once we are marked in him through faith in the Word (Eph. 1:13), then we are graciously brought to life.  3) We differ on the ordo salutis, we do not differ on who is responsible for new life. God alone is able to give us new life. This is the conflating issue I tried to explain last time. When one conflates man's responsibility to humbly repent in faith with God's responsibility to save the repentant (bringing them to new life) confusion ensues. We must treat these two as distinct choices in order to have a rational conversation. It's fine to argue that God is responsible for BOTH, but you still can't conflate them as if they are one in the same thing and expect to carry on a discussion with us about our differences. We must discuss each in turn: (1) Fallen man's responsibility to admit their fallen condition and trust Christ to rescue them and then (2) God's gracious choice to save those who do humble themselves and trust in Christ. We can't conflate those two as if they are one in the same choice. 4) From our perspective, God doesn't need permission (as one suggested). God chooses to grant man responsibility (the ability to respond). That is God's prerogative and any systematic which suggests that God's omniscience limits his ability to create libertarianly free moral agents is the system that is actually limiting His sovereignty and power over creation IMO.  5) Hermeneutics teaches us to allow scripture to interpret scripture and Calvinists do this quite regularly to add clarity to their interpretation. When I do it therefore, it should not be dismissed as just "jumping around the scriptures." We both acknowledge what Paul says about us being dead in our sins in Eph. 2, but we disagree about the connotation of that terminology. I can point to several passages which suggest that "deadness" connotes "lostness" or "separateness" and where man's responsibility to return/repent is still fully expected and even commanded with the threat of punishment (Lk 15:32; Rev. 3:1-6; James 1:13-15). It is the Calvinists burden to find just one text where "deadness" clearly connotes the concept if morally inability to humbly repent for ones sin in light of God's life giving, powerful, Holy Spirit inspired truth. I don't believe it can be found.

Dr. Leighton Flowers explains a Traditional Southern Baptist perspective of Eph. 2:8: Yes, faith is a gift from God, in that all abilities we have are granted to us by God, but the point of contention between the Traditionalist and the Calvinist is whether faith is a gift that is given irresistibly (or effectually).  Traditionalists affirm God enables (or grants) faith by means of His Word (the gospel), but we disagree that God effectually causes some people to believe the gospel while leaving others in a morally hopeless condition from birth. To support this ministry or for more information please visit www.soteriology101.com  

Dr. Flowers records a video cast where he walks through 2 Thess. 2, a proof text often referenced by Calvinists to support their soteriological view of unconditional election and effectual calling of certain preselect individuals. 

This is part 2 of Dr. Flowers' response to Dr. James White's most recent Dividing Line program over the extent of the atonement. To listen to part 1, which dealt mostly with methodology, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_PUv... In this episode, Dr. Flowers goes over some of the same audio clips as in the first recording, along with others, so as to address many of the theological disagreements. He also promises to invite Dr. Allen back onto the podcast to address some of the issues brought up against his statements. For a more complete look at these issues please visit www.soteriology101.com Here is the video put out by Dr. Flowers that Dr. White is addressing in his program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NPSI... Category

Dr. Paige Patterson, President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has received some unfair criticism over the last several days due to some comments he made in chapel about Calvinists. Some have gone so far as to suggest Dr. Patterson wants all Calvinists to leave the SBC, but this is simply not true. Listen to these clips of Dr. Patterson presented by Dr. Leighton Flowers in there appropriate context in order to properly understand the intention. To watch this presentation go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6fEbsbycxY

Dr. Leighton Flowers, a non-Calvinistic Southern Baptist, addresses the rise of "cage stage Calvinism" by taking on one of the leading proponents of Calvinism seen on social media today, Dr. James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries. While White has criticized the rudeness of many of the "young, restless, and reformed" types prowling the internet today, in this broadcast Dr. Flowers clearly and systematically demonstrates White's blatant hypocrisy in this arena. By playing clips of White's mocking tone, demonizing rhetoric, outright disrespect, and plan old fashion rudeness, Flowers brings a much needed rebuke to an influential leader among young Calvinists engaging others on social media. Flowers continually points his listeners back to "the principle of charity" which was described as "assuming the best about your opponent" and "giving them the benefit of the doubt" while attempting to really understand their argument before launching into criticism. While Flowers primarily sticks to critiquing White's methodology he promises to publish a follow up response to address White's actual theological arguments, which Flowers argues are undermined by White's overall demeanor and tone. For more on this topic please visit www.soteriology101.com

Many people do not seem as if they are able to hear and willingly come to the well meant offer of the gospel, but why? Is it because they were born helpless, hopeless and rejected from eternity past by their Maker, or is it because they have become hardened over time after rejecting the loving and gracious gift of their benevolent Father? Dr. Flowers not only answers this question, but also provides a link for more resources and a great endorsement for furthering your education: For more information on Trinity please CLICK HERE. To support this ministry please become a Patreon by signing up HERE.