A Discussion on Calvinism with a Reformed Pastor

Dr. Leighton Flowers is joined by Pastor Corey Watson of Christ Reformed Church who hosts his own podcast called "Sonic Reformation." Leighton and Corey discuss their different theological perspectives regarding the doctrines of salvation, election and predestination as taught in scripture.

[PhilGeissler]

Thank you, Dr. Flowers, for always taking the high road. Trust me, it makes a difference to viewers!

[nathanwall]

That was brutal.
Dr. Flowers was polite, didn't strawman, and even offered to change the topic to anything else.
In the end, you just can't defend bad theology.

[elaineauo]

Dr. Flowers, your kindness and love towards your Calvinist brothers is a testimony to all of us of what it looks to be long suffering and patient… just as God is with us!!! Keep on doing what you’re doing with this kind of humility and love. It’s the reason many of us keep watching! And you are reaching so many more this way! God bless you brother!

[ByGraceThroughFaith_]

Professor Leighton thank you for always being patient and kindhearted towards your guests, it's hard not liking you, even as a calvinist. The most disappointing part about the discussion was that your guest didnt acknowledge the error he made in regards to the calvin quote and apologize. Aside from that unfortunately he was surprisingly unprepared for the dialogue. I feel like the points you brought up should be easy for a calvinist to go back and forth on. Either way thanks for your ministry, God bless you brother

[StevenWayneJones]

The awkwardness FLEW into my earbuds, cringing, and feeling bad for the guy. He went the "I am being backed into a corner and you didn't warn me about having to defend any of my views" route. Dr. F, you were very respectful and had every right to push on these issues. They are very important and need to be discussed openly. This guy was smart enough to know he was in a losing battle known as the truth - AKA HIT THE EJECT BUTTON - My views don't hold up to scrutiny!!!

[joescoggins]

In my next salvation brochure I'm going to have the words GOOD NEWS on the front cover. Then on page two I'll say, "Good news for you, friend. If you are one of the chosen, you have no option but to say 'yes' when I ask you if your will trust Christ's finished work at the cross of Calvary, but if you're not one of the chosen, well, it was nice to have had the opportunity to tell you that you have no chance of escaping God's wrath."

[patrickg.]

I'd give Pastor Watson as much time as he needs, let him direct every question, granting you have advanced notice. Answer all of his questions with the word of God cordially, seasoned with grace and brotherly love and go from there. I'm curious if he'll follow up? We'll see... Nice effort in granting him the freedom to run the rest of your time together.

[granthollandvideos]

I truly think this guy wants to understand where you are coming from, he looked, just a little nervous to do so. I hope he will come on again with you Leighton, he seems like a genuine guy, just a bit overwhelmed as we all get, lets keep praying for the light to break through for him, or in the least that he understand our position regarding free will. Even the quote was strange, " God said all the trees you may freely eat from, but not this one" but they did eat, so God allowed for their free moral choice to eat from the tree of knowledge instead of the tree of life.

[ceciliaramos]

He couldn't get out of there fast enough. If you are firm in your beliefs you should have no problems defending them anytime anywhere. He felt he got backed into a corner because he can't defend his beliefs. My Calvinists friend warned me about you. Wonder who that might be. My prediction he'll never contact you again.

[contemplate-Matt.G]

Sorry, I gotta go now.... I'm a calvinist but I was unaware you'd be discussing calvinism with me

[rtgray]

This is what happens when you declare "CHECKMATE" to the Reformed: 28:46...  I have experienced this and witnessed this countless times. The criticism IS NOT that your "too nice" Leighton. You always say that. It's that you can say things like "in-house argument" and "we're brothers in Christ" and all that until your blue in the face but, WHEN A CALVINIST UNDERSTANDS THAT WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS UNDENIABLE, their real colors are exploited EVERYTIME! Because, by and large, they're not dumb, they're simply smart guys who have been mislead into a man-made systematic that paints them into an embarrassing corner. For that reason, 99.9% of your established Reformed, will revert to "taking their ball and going home". So please continue to be kind but you're never going to rub elbows with a Calvinist you have a public discussion or debate with. This guy, Corey Watson, will never do this with you again. You don't have to apologize for kindly pointing out the obvious truth and defending the word of God and His character.Thank you for this ministry sir. It has helped so many.

[JewandGreek]

I hope Dr. Flowers realizes that Pastor Watson will never show his face again on one of these podcasts. That was not a postponement. That was a total dodge. I guess this discussion just wasn't predestined.

[omnitheus]

Around 27 minute and the earlier points on Calvin's view of Limited Atonement and Corey's responses shows me he is inconsistent. How can you affirm to the first 2 points of the 1689 Baptist Confession and maintain there is no freewill? Be consistent!!!

It was barely an ambush either lol. Anyone would think that Leighton did a James White on him from his response...

Leighton humble as always.

[phillipjackson]

23:55 "There you go trying to be logical Leighton". Wow. That's very revealing. Shouldn't we all try to be logical since logic flows from God's nature?

[jamestomas]

I like your demeanor and the way you talk to people.Very becoming of what aChristian should be.I like your videos as well.

[briward]

I feel sorry for Pastor Corey. It is really hard to defend a non-biblical position outside of ones echo chamber. I have gone to Calvinist Conferences and wow do they ever build up straw men and then destroy them, he probably thought he would encounter one of these straw men....most of these guys have never looked at the Scriptures without using Piper, JMac, Grudem or D.A. Carson as their source of understanding... It is truly a novel thing for them to encounter a Biblicist that isn't using the Calvinst colored glasses. TULIP can only hold together by redefining a host of biblical terms. -They use the same vocabulary but their own special dictionary, by redefining terms it helps them maneuver around the plain meaning of a text. So sad that in North America many have been so deceived by slick teachers who have mastered the art of redefining Biblical Terms to make scripture fit their TULIP. They do value the Word but TULIP is placed above the Word and Scripture is made to fit into the presuppositions of TULIP. Not a good way to read scripture... a small book written by a former Calvinist of 20 plus years Dr. Ronnie Rogers is a great read "Reflections of a disenchanted Calvinist" --This book is short and lays it out beautifully..

[funwhyte]

Humility but firm doctrine. Thanks Flowers. Not a student of theology and I don’t know who all these people they’re talking about are but I have watched Flowers and I agree with his scriptural understanding.

[jaygee]

This was a very important conversation. I myself have experienced of late several encounters with Calvinists who deny Gods unconditional, eternal, immutable, universal decree regarding the end of both the elect and reprobate. Several have conflated ‘allow’ and ‘permit’ with ‘decree’ and ‘ordain’ with respect to man’s sin and sinful condition.
Calvin did teach, and tulip does teach, that God decreed, ordained, conferred holy orders that sin would exist, that man would fall, that subsequently man would be born in sin, that man would not and could not seek God in his sinful condition, and that God had chosen to reveal Himself irresistibly to a selection of His choosing, thereby saving them, while eternally damning the rest for remaining in the unrepentant state He decreed them to be in.
Furthermore, Calvinism does teach that God conferred these holy orders in eternity past, uninfluenced by anyone or anything outside of Himself, that these orders He conferred were universal, unchangeable, and every minute detail of this divine decree will most certainly come to pass, and nothing outside of it will come to pass.

If the Calvinist wishes to leave any room for permission for man to act contrary to the divine decree, then he must affirm libertarian free will.

[Dmlaney]

Corey said they dont have freewill (a word from the King James Bible) because God said dont eat of the tree... Does he think freewill means there arent any rules? What? The Bible talks of Liberty and Wisdom which is based ENTIRELY on freewill and choice... How can you have WISDOM when you cant decide what you do?

[Blazingwlf]

I literally know this guy! He was the one that actually married me and my wife! When I saw the thumbnail I was like, "wait....is that BRIT!?"