Training Our Minds

There are two major positions in Ordo Salutis (the Order of Salvation). One is the Reformed view, in which regeneration precedes faith. The other is the Arminian view in which faith comes first.

The issue that is raised in regard to Christ's atonement is who it was made for. There are three possibilities about who Christ died:

1. Jesus died for every person who ever lived.

2. Jesus died for the elect only and secured their salvation.

3. Everyone is saved and going to heaven.

Which is it?

The doctrine of predestination is broken down into two categories: Election, which results in God saving His elect; and reprobation, which results in God passing over the non-elect, leaving them to continue in their own hatred and rebellion against God. Predestination’s only foundation is the absolutely sovereign will of God. He owes no one anything and can justly condemn all humans.

The doctrine of Total Depravity is a very serious and difficult doctrine to hear. It is a difficult thing for believers and unbelievers alike to come to terms with and accept the reality of their sinful condition. In this class, Ben Bessett walks us through what Total Depravity is and is not and verses that demonstrate this.

If we don't understand that no one is righteous, there is no one who does good, and there is no one who seeks God, we don't understand our need for grace.

There are two “wills” of God. The decretive will, which is called the “secret” will, and the prescriptive will, which is the moral will. God desires and commands all people everywhere to repent. Yet His prescriptive will can be broken.

Bertrand Russell was once asked, if he were to come before God, what would he say to God? Russell replied, “Not enough evidence, God, not enough evidence.”

Does the external evidence determine that God has spoken in Scripture? Or does God speaking hold authority on its own?

In 1 Samuel 21, David comes to Ahimelech the priest and asks for bread for himself and his men. However, in Mark 2, Jesus recounts the same details of the story, but states the time of Abiathar the high priest, not Ahimelech. This creates an unreconcilable contradiction in the Gospel narratives, either on the part of Mark in recording his Gospel or with Jesus in citing the incorrect priest from 1 Samuel 21.

Matthew 7:1-6 says "Do not judge, so that you will not be judged." Does that mean we shouldn't judge?

What do you do with John 9:39 "For judgment I came into this world." Is this a contradiction?

It is a proven scientific fact that the sun does not move around the earth. Rather, the Earth rotates around the Sun. But it is the Bible that teaches the Sun moves. It's faith vs. science and the Bible is unscientific.

How do we approach this argument?