Dr. Eric Hankins chops it up with Eric and Drew for their 2nd interview. This time they discuss the state of the soteriological controversies in the SBC, how Dr. Hankin's prescriptions from "Loyal Opposition" are going, and how we can make a difference going forward. Hankins talks briefly about his own theological journey, how he started receiving pushback as a self-professed "3-point Calvinist", and how this led to the formulation of what is known as the Traditional Statement of Southern Baptist understanding of God's plan of salvation. Hankins wanted to articulate clearly and cogently what he as a Southern Baptist believed soteriologically which resulted in the TS' affirmations and denials (linked below). Hankins talks about the Founders Ministry's self-stated desire to return the SBC to the foundation of Reformed Theology and how the Abstract of Principles, a 4-point Calvinist document, is affirmed by two Southern Baptist seminaries (SEBTS & SBTS). The guys talk about the role the Abstract of Principles plays in Southern Baptist academia and how, even though we're not supposed to talk about it, for some reason, most seminary graduates are Reformed when they come out. Eric and Drew lament the apathetic state of many Christians towards soteriology and Hankins highlights the strength of a "whosoever will" theology in evangelism and missions. Drew gives testimony about his evangelism experiences and where Calvinism entered in. Hankins talks about the challenge of obtaining theological clarity in light of the BFM2000's "incoherence" and how this can sometimes lead to division. Hankins talks about the choice that he faced of choosing or not choosing to "be online" and lead up the Traditionalist movement or to continue pastoring. Hankins responds to a question about what drives robust missions and evangelism. Drew and Eric express their desire to see more online resources that people can access from a Provisionist theological perspective. Hankins then responds to how important it is to emphasize a personal response of faith in our soteriology as opposed to running away from it.

Premiered July 27, 2021

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In a lively interview, Dr. Eric Hankins joins the guys and answers their questions about his influences; both personal and theological. He discusses what led him to study soteriology in depth. He talks about the development of the Traditional Statement and the fallout after its' release. He also gives our listeners his recommended resources to start their own journey into becoming soteriological literate or taking the next step in their soteriological journey. 

Premiered July 23, 2021

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Drew has a conversation with a Calvinistic brother, Zack Avery about the Provisionist perspective on God's calls, whether they are effectual or ineffectual, carry a different meaning, etc.

Drew and Zack have been talking theology online for a while, their online conversations even spawning articles that have recently been reviewed by James White. Zack begins with their agreement on the Gospel (Good News) and how it presupposes a problem: Man's depravity. Zack talks a little bit about Oneness theology as contrasted with Trinitarianism along with his thoughts on what the Bible teaches about Man's inability. Zack talks a bit about the need--on his view--for the effectual call, the Holy Spirit's work on the sinner's heart and Drew highlights an oft neglected truth of the inherent spiritual nature of the Gospel and the Word of God. Zack and Drew go on to discuss their views on "the called" in 1 Corinthians 1 and how it is that people generally regard the Gospel as foolish and yet some believe it and are saved. Drew talks about the Gospel being foolish to most people and how, because it is foolish, we must humble ourselves to receive it and for this reason, many Christians are a weird and peculiar people. Drew highlights his own views on what it means to be "being saved" as contrasted with those who are "perishing" in 1 Corinthians 1,18 and that if it were an ontological condition we would be "being saved" irrespective of our faith. Drew talks about his views on Romans 8,28-30 and subtly highlights the "synergism" mention in verse 28. A question for Leighton Flowers' view comes up that Drew can't answer along with Zack's view on "calling" in Acts 2 that Drew confesses he hasn't studied much on. Drew gives a little bit of pushback with some seeming "resistible grace" from Acts 7,51 and Zack asks why some seem to receive more light if God wants all to be saved equally.

Streamed July 15, 2021

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Drew and Eric discuss a sermon from John MacArthur and examine the techniques used to convince Christians that Augustinian philosophy is true. Specifically, MacArthur gaslights their reason and disparages philosophy in order to hide the reasoning and philosophy he is using to convince you of a direct contradiction.

The guys cover how John MacArthur dismisses human reasoning and philosophy as though it's something to be sneered at instead of a God-given gift that can be used to obtain wisdom. They briefly cover why they don't believe there's a contradiction that Reformed theologians think there is between sovereignty and human freedom. JMac gives advice to a dying man on how to be born again and later on intimates that attempting to reason through this issue would make someone on the level of a poached egg. In the end, he says that "there is no explanation" and leaves his audience with a "tension" (which is really an unstated contradiction in his theology). Drew asks the question if anyone cares about theology or soteriology besides Calvinists and Reformed theologians.

Premiered July 1, 2021

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Eric & Drew review their recent (and first!) debate with John O'Roarke and Pat Hine on the subject "Does the Bible Teach An Immutable Precreation Divine Decree?". They talk about how much they learned about debates and some of the slip-ups they made as well as strengths that they could have leaned into.

Just because God plans things does not equal an immutable precreation divine decree. Our opponents didn't seem to think that God could accomplish certain ends without controlling and micromanaging everything. The guys highlight that none of the passages that were covered by their opponents actually teach an "immutable precreation divine decree". In the Debate, Greek & Hebrew were quoted a few times by our opponents which wasn't helpful and demonstrates they weren't interested in context. We trust God because of his revealed character and history of goodness not because he is in control of all potentially rogue molecules. Molecules cannot frustrate his plans. On Calvinism, God seems to "lisp" and speak disingenuously about his plans if he doesn't change his mind at all regarding them. Drew highlights a low moment for him in the debate and E&D talk about whether they'd have a crack at it again.

Streamed live on June 22, 2021

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Eric and Drew debate Brother John O'Roark & Brother Patrick Hines on the subject "Does the Bible Teach An Immutable Precreation Divine Decree?" on The Gospel Truth channel with Marlon Wilson.

John and Patrick make the case that if God is in control of the minutiae then God must have an immutable divine decree while Eric & Drew present evidence against this position that certain passages teach that there is a decree that is immutably set prior to creation such as God not having decreed child sacrifice in Jeremiah 19 and the conflict that it presents God to have decreed things that grieve and displease him. Predestination & the Cross is discussed at length as the men attempt to show from their perspectives that either all is predestined or the Cross would fail to happen or that God has predestined some outcomes to happen but not all sinful desires and choices.

Premiered June 16, 2021

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Continuing their new "Demystified" Series, Eric and Drew discuss the meaning of the theologically-loaded word "predestination" as it relates to our adoption as sons, future resurrection, and current/future salvation from Romans 8, Ephesians 1, and some additional supporting passages.

Inigo Montoya highlights that this word "predestination" isn't as controversial as many Christians think that it is. Drew & Eric walk starting through the middle of Romans 8 into a passage about "hope" and how we are "waiting" for the redemption of our bodies, which Paul describes as "our adoption". Jesus is discussed as the "firstborn" from among the dead (prototokos) and how Romans 8, 29's "conformed to the image of his Son" is really about being predestined to be resurrected as Jesus was. How the Greek word is used in context of Jesus' resurrection and the primacy of the Resurrected Christ is central to the Christian message is emphasized. In, Ephesians 1 are the next two usages of the word and the guys discuss how the "faithful in Christ Jesus" is the group who is the personal, intimate, "us" who is predestined unto adoption. This is an encouraging promise that all believers can take comfort in rather than a controversial "how you became saved" because God made a decision before you existed. They also talk about the new heavens and the new earth and how we are saved from the present sins of our current world and society and future sin in the hope that we will be resurrected and delivered into a new creation just like Jesus was. 

Streamed live on Jun 8, 2021

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Eric and Drew cover the sinfulness/fall of man with passages from Provisionism's PROVIDE acrostic such as being born sinful, the age of accountability, sin nature, etc. They talk about the initial consequences of the Fall being death and how it affects everyone in Genesis 3 and how by Genesis 6 & 8 mankind shows exemplary potential for evil from his youth. Deuteronomy briefly highlights children not knowing good from evil and later on Romans and 1 John talk about sin being transgression of the law rather than an “infection” from birth. Finally, our “sin nature” is discussed and how sin and death entered the world in Romans 5, 12 (along with its consequences again 6, 23)

Premiered May 28, 2021

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Eric and Drew discuss the doctrines of election and predestination from Ephesians and what it means to be "chosen in Him" through faith in Christ.

Streamed live on May 24, 2021

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Eric and Drew review a new article from GotQuestions.org that seeks to explain what Provisionism is (and isn't) and talk about its strengths and weaknesses.

Streamed May 18, 2021

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