Theology for the Rest of Us

In this episode Kenny again tackles the “Calvinism and Arminianism” debate (which happens to be one of the most heated debates amongst Protestants). Herein episode 297, Kenny unpacks the doctrine of “total depravity” and explains how this doctrine is at the heart of the debate.

What is Total depravity? Total depravity is the doctrine that asserts that 100% of a human being’s soul, mind, and will are radically impacted and corrupted by sin. There is not one element or part of the human essence or existence that is not impacted by sin, therefore rendering every human being incapable of ever seeking God of their own volition of free will. Total depravity is the “T” in the well-known acronym “TULIP” (which is often used to describe the five points of Calvinism).

Proponents of “total depravity” assert that human beings are sinful from the time of conception because we all have inherited sinful nature from Adam and Eve, and our sinful nature is so damaging that it causes us to be incapable of ever wanting to choose or seek God. In order for a person to ever want to seek God, God must first do something supernatural in that person’s soul. However, Calvinism and Arminianism have differing ideas of how God does that supernatural thing. In short, both Calvinists and Arminians agree on the “T” of the five points of TULIP, but disagree on the next four points.

Arminians argue for a concept called “prevenient grace.” They assert that God bestows a supernatural grace which leads a person to have the ability to believe in God, if they choose. which then leads to regeneration. However, Calvinists argue that the supernatural thing that God does is in fact regeneration, which then causes the person to be regenerated. Therefore, Arminians argue that faith proceeds regeneration, while Calvinists argue that regeneration proceeds faith.

Arminians argue that a person could receive prevenient grace and still choose to reject God, while Calvinists argue that 100% of the persons who receive God’s proactive regenerative grace will choose to believe on him. Understanding these differences is essential to understanding this infamous debate.

Episode 297 also builds on the content of episode 295 wherein Kenny covers the “five points of Calvinism” and he assumes listeners have some understanding of those five points. This episode also leverages content covered in 296: “Calvinism vs. Arminianism” in which Kenny explains that we’re often not framing the debate in the most helpful manner.

In this episode Kenny tackles one of the most heated debates amongst evangelicals: Calvinism vs. Arminianism.

Kenny gives the history of Calvinism and Reformed theology, and then explains the Dutch Remonstrance movement that came out of the Reformed movement and would give birth to the theological system we now call Arminianism and led to the debates at the Synod of Dort.

Finally, Kenny explains that the “Calvinism vs. Arminianism” debate isn’t the most helpful way to frame the debate and isn’t the ideal question because there are actually other camps to consider; but rather the more helpful framing for the debate is Monergism vs. Synergism.

What is Monergism? Monergism is the theological term used by Christians to explain that salvation is fully the work of God. The prefix “mono” means “one” and it is used to signify that salvation comes from “one” being—in this case referring to God being the one who brings about salvation. If any person is saved by Jesus, the proponents of monergism would argue that the Spirit of God must first grant that person the desire and ability to believer.

What is Synergism? Synergism is the theological term used by Christians to explain that the salvation of humans is a cooperative work between God and man. If any person is saved by Jesus, the proponents of synergism would argue that the Spirit of God works on the heart of the person to woe them to God, but that  the decisive action that leads to salvation is ultimately in the hands of the person—they must use their free will to believe, and God cannot override their will.

In this episode Kenny explains the historical origins and evolution of Calvinist soteriology. He then explains that the acronym TULIP is a helpful tool to remember the five main points of Calvinism:

T- Total Depravity

U- Unconditional Election

L- Limited Atonement

I- Irresistible Grace

P-Perseverance of the Saints

In this episode Kenny explains the heart of Protestant theology, which can be summed up in five key theological statements known as “The Five Solas.”

The Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation distinguished the 16th century Protestant Reformers from the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. They include: Sola scriptura (Scripture alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), Sola fide (Faith alone), Sola gratia (Grace alone), and Soli Deo gloria (Glory to God alone).

In this episode, Kenny briefly explains and outlines the history and essence of Reformed Theology (also known as Calvinism). This podcast episode is designed to be a foundational episode, laying the foundation for future episodes of the podcast that dive deeper into this topic.

Kenny argues that there were four types of Protestants in the 1500s: Lutherans, Anabaptists, Anglicans, and Reformed/Calvinists. To hold to “Reformed Theology” would be to affirm the theology of that fourth group.

Kenny gives us eight observations of that specific group:

Additional Resources

Introduction: What is Reformed Theology? with R.C. Sproul

“What was the Protestant Reformation?”

“If the Reformation Caused Division, Why Was it a Good Thing?”

“Why Are There So Many Denominations?”

“Where’d All These Calvinists Come From?”

“Book Review: ‘The Anabaptist Story’ by William Estep“

After a four year hiatus, Kenny Ortiz is resurrecting the “Theology for the Rest of Us” podcast. He gives an update on his life.

Then, he comes back strong by asking the question, “What is kindness?” He makes it clear that niceness is not the same as kindness. We are called to be kind, but often times many Christians confuse niceness with kindness, which can be quite detrimental.

In this episode, Kenny tackles the reality that there will be various opinions and convictions from different people in our lives and churches as we make attempts to return to some sense of normalcy in the coming weeks and months. This is going to require wisdom and grace.

Instead of demands, expectations, social pressures, harshness, judgmental attitudes, or virtue-signaling, Christians ought to actually lead the way with kindness, grace, and diplomacy in the midst of this unique season that may have the potential to be filled with some awkward moments.

Resources

Navigating Different COVID-19 Recovery Convictions (By Costi Hinn)

Coronavirus and Christ (By John Piper)

What Courage Might Corona Unleash? (By Marshall Segal)

Let the Lily Have Today (By Marshall Segal)

In this episode, Kenny encourages and challenges listeners to be very careful with what they post on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Christians are posting things that seem to be motivated by fear, politics, or conspiracy theories, and these sorts of posts tend to cause us to lose credibility. This behavior misrepresents Jesus and potentially jeopardizes our ability to share the gospel.

In this moment in history, people are looking for sources of comfort and encouragement. People are often looking for voices they can trust, and voices that can be the source of wisdom. Let’s be what they are looking for, so that we can point them to Jesus.

Resources

Navigating Different COVID-19 Recovery Convictions (By Costi Hinn)

Coronavirus and Christ (By John Piper)

What Courage Might Corona Unleash? (By Marshall Segal)

Let the Lily Have Today (By Marshall Segal)

Currently, the world is facing a global pandemic—the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In the midst of the panic, fear, and frustrations there are many different responses. One common phrase used by many is the statement, “These are ‘uncertain’ times.” However, for the Christian—the genuine believer in Christ—nothing is uncertain.

In this episode, Kenny makes clear that the believer never has anything to worry about. No matter what we face, even if we die due to a virus, we are in the hands of Christ! Kenny closes the episodes with a great quote from Francis J. Grimké who was a pastor during the Spanish Flu of 1918:

“While the plague was raging, what a comfort it was to feel that we were in the hands of a loving Father, whether we were smitten with the epidemic or not, we knew it would be well with us, that there was no reason to be alarmed.”

Resources

Navigating Different COVID-19 Recovery Convictions (By Costi Hinn)

Coronavirus and Christ (By John Piper)

What Courage Might Corona Unleash? (By Marshall Segal)

Let the Lily Have Today (By Marshall Segal)

Each year North American evangelicals spend millions of dollars on short-term missions trips. A recent listener of the podcast asked whether or not this is appropriate? Would it be better for us to simply pool our monies and send it overseas?

In essence, short-term missions can be very effective, if done right. However, most short-term missions are done wrong. They often have the wrong goals and wrong peoples in mind. This makes much of the short-term missions activity feels very wasteful, inefficient, and even harmful. Short-term missions can be very helpful if we partner with local ministries and strategic come along side of them to help expand their pre-existing ministry and their gospel influence.

Kenny also uses this question as the opportunity to discuss his approach to global missions and challenges the audience to engage in global missions. Each Christian has a part to play in global missions. As pastor and author John Piper states, “There are only three kinds of Christians when it comes to world missions: zealous goers, zealous senders, and disobedient. May God deliver us from disobedience!”

However, just because we are all called doesn’t mean that every opportunity makes sense. In this episode, Kenny talks about some of the pitfalls of contemporary missions efforts, especially highlighting the fact that most missions activity and giving currently goes towards groups that have already been reached with the Gospel. Kenny demonstrates the distinction between the “unreached” groups and the “unsaved” peoples. This is distinction is valuable as we determine how to spend our money and resources.

Recommended Resources

When Helping Hurts (by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert)

Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry (by Cameron Cole & Jon Nielson)

Let the Nations Be Glad (by John Piper)

Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global (by Andy Johnson)