Calvinism and Apologetics | Doug Wilson & James White

In this clip from Man Rampant, Pastor Doug Wilson and Dr James White discuss how Calvinism impacts their apologetic endeavors.

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Man Rampant is presented by Canon Press.

[CanonPress]

Watch the full interview only on Canon+

New to Canon+? Use code "MR99" and get your first month for just 99 cents.

[eileenjared]

For years I was thinking that way, that I had the responsability of changing my husband's heart and mind and burned me so bad, but wasn't until I realized that I wasn't resting in God's promises that He is the one who changes the sinner like He has changed me, I wasn't able to rest in Him. I wish that was more emphasis in the church about the work of The Holy Spirit in a humans heart and mind that He is the one who transforms lives because today is not preach as much as it should.
I have been very blessed thru the years for you both ministries God bless you and keep giving you courage to keep preaching an un alter Gospel. Love you both

[robertshell]

some of the reasons I started looking into calvinism were because of atheist objections. Now that I am one, it not only propelled my worship, but answers every atheist objection I've heard, haha.

[IsaiahEli]

The Lord is near! Amen. God is merciful. He always forgives. Never be ashamed to take your failures to him. He is for you, not against you! God is with you in the storm. He knows your troubles, he hears you! He is for you, on your side, always! It may feel silent at times, but he’s holding you close! May the Lord return soon! We are drawing closer. He is coming! Believe and trust in the Lord, you will be saved. Period. May the Lord bless you all! Hang in there family. Stay strong. It is not easy following the Lord. We are scoffed at. We give up our earthly dreams, our fleshly desires. What the enemy offers is short lived, but heaven is forever! Life may seem or be unfair, but God is with you! Always remember that. Things may get better or worse for you, but a kingdom awaits you! Finish the race! Repent daily and carry your cross. This world is fading fast. Your troubles are temporary! New channel here, I’d appreciate any kind of support. Don’t give up! God loves you so much! So do I. The Lord bless you!!

[tomhitchcock]

This was extremely helpful as I pray and witness and want results now

[sharpero_o]

Amen. It’s up to the will of the Lord. Thanks for sharing.

[jed]

Terrific encouragement and affirmation. You’ve enriched my soul

[petethompson]

There's such a glaring error here in this video. It's so obvious, it's almost embarrassing. There's a bottle of Elijah Craig on the table, and not a Woodford Double-Oaked. Are these guys even reformed? 😂

JK, love these guys, love the theology! Huge fan!

[colenorville]

I echo the other comments in this section regarding the impropriety of touting Presuppositionalism as a methodology that uniquely allows one to rest in God's sovereignty when sharing the gospel. Calvinists still believe that God uses means that ought to be employed appropriately.

I cannot use God's sovereignty to justify leaving out part of the gospel (such as the death of Christ, or His resurrection), saying "God's not limited by my inadequacy, He can save without my help!" Likewise, we cannot punt to God's Sovereignty to justify using faulty or fallacious apologetic methodology.

Surely God can save someone through the sheer power of the gospel without an involved apologetic, but that does not nullify our task of seeking to "persuade" or "reason with" others as Paul himself did (Acts 17:2, 17; 18:4, 19; 19:8-9).

[landonlawson]

I find apologetics much easier as a Calvinist. When I leaned more Armenian I always thought I needed special tricks, and I spent more time studying than giving them the message of Christ so as to not offend them. Now I just deliver the message and let the chips fall where they may. I do so gracefully and it generally DOESN'T devolve into a screaming match, as some people suspect a Calvinist way of preaching would. Even if the other person does raise their voice, which has a chance to happen with any disagreement, I know that another cause is the sheer guilt and love of their sin and not necessarily how I said something. I've had people yell at me before only for them to apologize for their behavior after the discussion. When Armenians say that Calanism inhibits preaching of the gospel, because you don't know if that person will be saved (so why bother?), then I know for a fact they're speaking from a lack of experience. I now know the freedom it creates when, as you said, I don't have to constantly kick myself on the way home after taking advantage of an opportunity to give someone the gospel.

[rds]

Everything they said fully applies to an Arminian view of apologetics. We believe God can use our words regardless how inadequate they are sometimes even years after they’re spoken. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t make a convincing argument though, Paul didn’t just assume Christianity was true, he reasoned with people from the Old Testament and from creation itself. He used the testimony of many others still living who had seen Jesus and at times the apostles did miraculous signs to prove their message. I don’t understand why people think God is against us giving compelling arguments.

[scythiandisposition]

It's like people want to apply salesman techniques and evaluations to evangelism

[TheSmithsons]

True, you only fail when you say nothing, God does the hard stuff, just speak leave the rest to God

[democratpro]

Really digging that scar on brother James' lip👍🏿 bad a

[alexzcujo]

Interesting... I think the apostle Paul would disagree.

[BenWillKing]

First time I've noticed a scar on Dr. White's lower lip. Just increased his cool factor, he gets bonus reformed points.

[perthew]

Man, I don’t think it’s fair to say that arminians are unable to trust in Gods working in the heart. It does give us more impetus in our conversations for sure, but ultimately Jesus even told the disciples that some will not listen and they ought to shake the dust off their shoes on the way out of town. Not all ground is suitable for the seed sown. God is good!

[justincottrell]

What's the point of evangelical work if everyone is already predestined to go somewhere?

Also, John 3:16 (one of the most popular Bible verse)

God so loved the world, not God so loved the elect.

I'm genuinely curious, I don't identify as either because I don't worship John Calvin or Jacobus Arminius. Seems to me both are trying to explain stuff God would have given us the answer to in the Bible if he wanted to know.

God bless, and I would love anyone to further explain Calvinism to me if they know because everything I read and watch leaves me more confused than before, or maybe these people just aren't good at explaining their stance?

[JimboRicheson]

I disagree that the scriptural hermeneutic commonly called "calvinism" is not biblical. Spurgeon said "calvinism" is but a nickname for the hermeneutic represented thereby. To say it's not biblical is to delete corroborative passages in the Old Testament, as well as in the New. It's there! The entire gospel of John is expressive of the hermeneutic called "calvinism." It is the giftedness of James White to show any impartial enquirer how to find for one's self this very fact, namely, that calvinism is, indeed, biblical, and how we may confirm that. His book, The God Who Justifies, was eye opening as to the biblical reality of calvinism. I credit him gratefully for helping me see that.

[ladyhumblebee]

Praise the Lord! I'm a calvinist after doing some research into reformed theology and the doctrine itself, and also because of my testimony. I was told the gospel around nine years old and at the strangest I'm 21 years later God revealed Himself to me without any preacher or Pastor or church. So when I minister to people and evangelize the gospel, I don't feel like it's all on me. What a relief. However, we are commanded to open our mouths and share the good news. I will never stop until I'm dead