Got a response from Fred Butler, a Reformed theologian and worker at John MacArthur's Grace to You. He's not interested in meeting the challenge head-on at this point, but did offer me a brief constructive critique. I won't publish the email since it wasn't a formal response; but prominently, he cited that I assert that Christ's deity can be established with just a few very clear passages, whereas concerning the passages that Calvinists contend affirm eternal security, I claim that they pit scripture against itself. I responded:
Therein lies my point, for the passages that testify of Christ's deity are very clear on the matter, as are the scriptures I have listed concerning the possibility of apostasy. In contrast, there is not a single passage of scripture that indicates that it's impossible to fall away -- they do clearly affirm security for one who abides in Christ (which Calvinists misconstrue as eternal security), but nowhere do they negate the warnings to those who would depart from Him. Indeed, it's quite the opposite of biased pitting of scripture against itself, they are rather complementary, the promises of life for those who continue in the faith of Christ, but warnings against destruction should any cease to, whereas Calvinist doctrine (as far as I've seen) essentially requires that any real warning against a true believer falling be utterly moot in reality.
Should Mr. Butler have the inkling to write rebuttal or the like in the future, the Challenge of course still stands open to him.
Copyright © 2005-2007, InDeathorLife.org
The information on this page may not be reproduced or republished on another website, webpage or other printed media without express permission from the author of this site. Other material(s) referenced on this site are the property of their respective authors or copyright holders, and where applicable are used by permission.