Ronnie W. Rogers, “Taking every thought captive…”

Before you make the TULIP your flower of choice, consider it in full bloom.

TULIP is used acronymically to succinctly point out the major emphases of Calvinism. I well understand that the use of the TULIP does not fully illustrate the depth and breadth of Calvinism. I do understand that some believe the acronym has outlived its usefulness. However, it still enjoys ubiquitous usage among Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike. I find this to be particularly true among those seeking to explain Calvinism to people who may demonstrate some interest in understanding Calvinism or as a simple tool to convince young people of its biblical and systematic cogency. I am not considering this acronym in order to either portray Calvinism simplistically or inaccurately. Rather, I use it in the manner described by Roger Nicole when he said, “the five points provide a classic framework which is quite well adapted for the expression of certain distinguishing emphases of Calvinism.”¹ (more…)

1. David N. Steele and Curtis C. Thomas, The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, Documented from the preface written by Roger Nicole (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing Co, 1963), 7. [↩]

Recently, a Calvinist asked me the following question in an all too  common fashion.

He asked, “Are you saying that for God to be the perfect sum of love He must offer the gospel to all men equally? To give each and every man ever born equal access to the Word?”

Here is my answer. To me, your question conflates two different issues. It conflates the issue of whether God grants to everyone who hears a real choice to believe the gospel or reject the gospel with whether everyone gets the same opportunity. Calvinism rejects the former (which I believe is biblically unwarranted), and I believe that places Calvinism in a position of inadequately demonstrating how that is perfect love, which opinion I base on their writings in systematic theologies and individual books on the subject. I believe that if Calvinism is true, if in eternity we are to stand on the precipice of hell, all could see how God was always perfectly just in not letting any sinners into heaven, but I do not see how that demonstrates that He is perfect love since He withheld even the opportunity to come to heaven.

With regard to whether everyone gets the exact same opportunity, my answer is no, since this is an actual impossibility in a time and space continuum. However, because everyone may not get the same opportunity does not equal some receiving an inadequate opportunity or no opportunity.

If We Truly Appreciate Being Forgiven, We Will Forgive Others.

It is ironic indeed, for Christians to extol God for His immeasurable forgiveness of our sins in Christ, and yet shamelessly withhold such forgiveness from those who may have measurably sinned against us.

If We Truly Appreciate Being Forgiven, We Will Forgive Others. How could we do otherwise?

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

This article appeared in two parts on April 4^th & 5^th on SBC Today.

Although I no longer don the Calvinist label, I do continue to recognize the system of thought as an option within historic Christianity as well as Southern Baptist life. Further, I have no interest in personally attacking my Calvinist brothers’ and sisters’ devotion, piety, or love for God and His word, for I do sincerely believe that most Calvinists are truth seekers. I do not wish to expel Calvinists nor to be expelled by them from SBC life, but rather to suggest and take some substantive steps to help all of us know God better. I assume that is what the vast majority of those of us in this discussion truly desire; although, there is obvious disagreement in how to accomplish this quest.

In order to continue to move our discussions toward lucidity in both articulation and understanding of our various theological perspectives, I would like to suggest implementing the following ideas within Southern Baptist life. My suggestions are drawn from my life as a Southern Baptist, which includes both the perspective I gained in my years as a Calvinist and now my post Calvinist reflections. While I view my suggestions as necessary, I also view them as partial and modifiable. I believe that some of the steps should be implemented immediately, while others are clearly long term goals that may take years. I offer my suggestions with no more credentials than being a rather obscure but concerned Southern Baptist.

I trust that if we speak with grace and listen with humility, we can learn from each other. I do genuinely believe that if the following suggestions are not implemented, the future of the SBC may not be as bright as it could be; although, one may easily find sufficient grounds to view my suggestions dismissively since I do seem to have an extraordinarily unimpressive record as a prophet. As a Calvinist, I loved, respected and worked with those who were not, and now that I am no longer a Calvinist, I hold that same love, respect, and desire to work with those who are.

Please consider the following suggestions: (more…)

If God used and blessed us the way we often think He should, we probably would become so prideful that He could not use and bless us as He does!

“That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever” (Psalm 30:12).

God calls His people to holiness in both the old and New Testaments (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Our pursuit of true inward holiness by the grace of God is a safe house for His people. In the Old Testament, the Jews sought the protection of God without pursuing the purity of God and God severely judged such idolatry of His chosen people.

Only the most unfathomable credulity can believe that He will continue to ignore such idolatry from those within the church or Christians in America. The following verses were messages from God’s prophets Micah and Jeremiah to the Jews, and are messages to us today. (more…)

Recently, Rick Harvey presented a very helpful paper in the Round Table in Ideology that dealt with the problem of evil. A clear understanding of the problem of evil and answers to the problem are something every Christian needs to have in order to strengthen our own faith and to be equipped to help others see God’s love in the midst of hurt and loss. Rick’s paper is a great resource to that end.

His paper can be accessed here, SparksFlyUpward.

Both parts of his Precis can be accessed here, PrecisOnEvil1st, PrecisOnEvil2nd.

I believe the most important conviction that a person can have is his belief about God, and second to that is his supposition about man. These two beliefs influence all other ideas and actions. By beliefs about God and man, I do not mean what one claims to believe, but rather what one actually believes to be true about each. My focus in this article is the image of God in man. In our quest to be consistent Christians, our view of the image of God in man should affect our theology, ministry, philosophy, evangelism rubric, politics, pedagogy, penology, criminology, parenting, sociology, psychology, jurisprudence, etc. In reality, these discussions are, whether stated or unstated, pedestaled upon one’s view of man. (more…)

The following is a copy of the letter that I sent to Dr. Piper regarding one of the quotes I used from him. I used the quote in a public way, and so in like manner is my apology.

Dear Dr. Piper,

My name is Ronnie W. Rogers, and I am writing to you in order to apologize and ask your forgiveness.

I most regretfully and inadvertently misrepresented a statement of yours in my book Reflections of a Disenchanted Calvinist. Please see quote at the close of this letter. (more…)

Recently, James White, a very strong Calvinist presented what he packaged as a critique of Reflections of A Disenchanted Calvinist on his Radio program. He spent an hour “critiquing ” it. I was hopeful for a serious review from the Calvinist position, but I was disappointed.  I am grateful to Peter Lumpkins, who operates sbc tomorrow, for posting a critique of White’s critique. Below is the link to his  post yesterday.

http://peterlumpkins.typepad.com/peter_lumpkins/2012/07/james-white-critiques-ronnie-rogers-book-reflections-of-a-disenchanted-calvinist-by-peter-lumpkins.html