Calvinism, Theology & Epistemology with Calvinist J.D. Martin

Kevin has a discussion with Seminary-Trained Calvinist J.D. Martin about epistemology as it relates to theology.

Or Venmo @kevin-thompson-418

J.D. Martin's Youtube Channel: Exploring Theology

See the FSI Announcement video here:

See the original video on Ephesians 4 here:

Purchase the Original PowerPoint slide decks used in our other videos here:



Check out our Audio podcasts on iTunes Podcast or Soundcloud:

PLAYLISTS:
8 ‘A’s of Salvation” (pre-requisite salvation considerations before other inferences can be entertained)
“Christian Cognition” (learn about the things that affect data processing other than “the facts”)
“Full Stature Initiative” (follow presentations and group discussions of the Book of Acts)
“Acts 13:48” (videos that address this so-called “Calvinist proof text”)
“Calvinist Infiltration” (videos that address Calvinist infiltration into non-Calvinist churches)


BTF Uses the following Equipment and software to produce videos:
Camera: Sony Handycam FDR-AX53
Microphone: Sennheiser AVX Digital Wireless Mic System with Countryman H60W6TSR H6 Omnidirectional Wireless Headset; Shure SM7B, Rode NT1
Audio: Focusrite Scarlett 2i4
Video Editing Software: Final Cut Pro X,
Video Recording Software: Wirecast by Telestream, Zoom
Visual Aids: MS PowerPoint, Logos Bible Software

[AlanaL]

I cannot get over the honesty of JD…if only the people I’ve spoken to could be this honest vs. defense to the death.

[LizCanKnit]

This conversation has been such a blessing. Not because I think JD is “almost there”. Hearing him speak, I can hear his desire for truth. When Kevin talks about finding people who are going in the same direction, trying to achieve what “we” are trying to achieve, I see someone like JD right there with me. We don’t have to agree.

[exploringtheologychannel]

Thank you so much for a charitable conversation! I really enjoyed it. God bless you, Kevin.

[AlanaL]

Yes!!!! Exploring together! I wish it could be like that with everyone:)

[ThaNewDealer]

Highly entertaining. J.D. my favorite 'reformed' Brother.

You guys both did great and I appreciate your time/energy in putting this forth. Praise God for a conversation such as this.

[UniteAgainstEvil]

J.D. is one of the few calvinists who seem honest. Hopefully he'll come to a knowledge of the truth. ❤

[joshuasteele]

I struggle to see the equivalence of knowing how a microphone works vs knowing what the Bible means by what it says. 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 22 - “Test all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” This is clear admonition to believers to be students of the Word, being neither gullible nor cynical but having discernment. The Bereans in Acts 17:11 are another example of this principle. The Bible calls them “fair-minded” as a compliment to their strong desire to have discernment. Yes, we need good teachers in the church and not everyone has that gift, but everyone has the Spirit, so they can and should study to be approved of God, rightly dividing the Scriptures. Thanks for a loving, cordial discussion!

[timrockholt]

Well done men! When you can sit through a 2hr video fully engaged says a lot.

[theologicaldarkweb]

Parallels between JD and Mormonism.
"Don't try to read the bible for yourself. You'll come to the wrong conclusions."
"Reasoning from basic principles is wasted effort when professionals spend their lives doing this so you don't have to."
"The difference between our church and the empty, shallow seeker sensitive type Christian churches is evidence we're on the right track."
"We place faith in our leadership. We don't want to go it on our own."

[treywhite]

I like JD. maybe my favorite Calvinist. Thanks guys.

[awakeandfearless]

I missed the first part of the discussion and caught the end part on Facebook. I found the dialogue very charitable and thought provoking. I’m not coming back to listen to the first portion. More discussions like these should happen. Bless you both!

[thirdplace]

Coincidentally enough, the Word of God tells us what brings God the most glory.. He magnifies His word above all His own Name.

[weeklybiblestudy]

Beautiful interview/Discussion, masterfully done!
I love how Kevin asks strategic questions to draw out critical thinking. He makes you question yourself what you believe and how you got there. I love JD‘s openness and honesty about what he believes and I also really liked his responses to Kevin. It seems to me that Kevin is trying to help us from being or becoming clones and just parroting what other people think, say or have written.
(With all due respect )this is what I have discerned so far. Jd was born again at age 15, because his dad is a calvanist and he loves and respects him that was one of the first steps toward presuppositional Calvinistic ways of thinking. Because of the influence of his church his MacArthur study Bible and reading books from Calvinistic authors it was solidified in his mind that the way they and he saw and understood the Scriptures through the Calvinistic lens was correct. Though Jd questioned everything he thought he understood concerning the Scriptures I believe it can be super hard to get rid of our presuppositions and see the Scriptures from a fresh perspective(For many reasons). I am learning from these types of interviews that all of us have things that we need to unlearn and relearn, that it’s good to be curious, eager to learn and to know that we all have many things that we think that we understand that quite frankly we just don’t😂. We are constantly evolving in our understanding of the Scriptures. (kind of like the time my daughter came home and she told me” My my teacher said that her ancestors were apes“ so I told her” she’s probably right sweetheart“🤣🤣🤣🤣😂🧐🥰). Thank you guys.

Sent from my iPhone

[ruralmillennial]

JD, flee the snare of Calvinism. Just because you say you don’t do mental gymnastics it doesn’t mean you’re not doing it.

[shakazulu]

JD is a good guy and brother. One of my favorite calvinists and that's really saying something. He knows the scriptures and rarely uses cliches. He is also an example of Christ.

[JohnQPublic]

Both of you guys did great; very entertaining.

[AlanaL]

As a ex Calvinist of 17 years the main reason I cannot leave my Calvinist church is because of everything that JD is saying about church life in reformed churches vs. non reformed churches. As a mama I am soooo thankful for the holy living my children get to see in all our friends and like minded families we fellowship with. It’s a hard spot to say the least.

[HarrisBeauchamp]

Super interesting, what JD describes around 1:27:00 about the paradigm shift, and trying instead to take the “anomaly” texts as the paradigm texts…. That’s exactly what I’ve experienced in coming away from Calvinism.

[CLRoby]

It was a great discussion, overall. When Kevin asked J.D. how Reformed theology would benefit him, I found the response lacking. I just left a Reformed church, in part, because they relied on 9 Marks and other theologians to state what was true about the Word, instead of letting the Word speak for itself.

[sharonlouise]

Positively wonderful! I appreciated this discussion very much. Would love to see you both interact with one another again!