tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33057643.post2689709077761891442..comments2024-03-26T04:24:11.094-05:00Comments on Strawberry-Rhubarb Theology: Why I Am Not an ArminianDane Ortlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17583355241279798089noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33057643.post-54556882652712361862010-12-01T16:05:09.590-06:002010-12-01T16:05:09.590-06:00Hi Dane. Not sure I have any wisdom, just eager t...Hi Dane. Not sure I have any wisdom, just eager to follow your logic in this post, because I agree with it and I'm convinced it's biblical and important.<br /><br />My concern is certainly not that we need to loosen doctrine.<br /><br />If we're responsible not just for doctrinal precision but for avoiding divisiveness, splintering, sectarian approaches to Christian witness, in what ways can Reformed leaders help tear down barriers--denominational, cultural, etc.--that keep (say) Arminians and Calvinists or Southern Baptists and evangelical Anglicans from being in full fellowship with one another? What would efforts to better represent the unity of Christ's body to one another and the world look like? What sacrifices would be required?Jason B. Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00259815143346242351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33057643.post-17582940873175015662010-12-01T13:08:37.578-06:002010-12-01T13:08:37.578-06:00Thanks Jason. Interesting.
I wonder if there is ...Thanks Jason. Interesting. <br /><br />I wonder if there is a way to hold our doctrinal convictions with firm resolution, all the while embracing our brothers and sisters with love who differ with us at points yet are obviously co-heirs with Christ. <br /><br />In other words, clear, deep doctrine theologically wedded with rich, joyous affection. <br /><br />In fact, isn't the former meant all along to lead to the latter? <br /><br />The point, then, is not to become doctrinally wishy-washy or malleable, but to recognize that it is the very clarity and truth of deep, God-besotted, biblical doctrine that itself yields worship of Christ, and appropriate humility.<br /><br />You are a wise and thoughtful man; I wonder how you would answer your own questions...?Dane Ortlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17583355241279798089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33057643.post-26524095013690573272010-12-01T11:40:04.278-06:002010-12-01T11:40:04.278-06:00Great post Dane. I'm always grateful and enco...Great post Dane. I'm always grateful and encouraged when Reformed leaders model doctrine winsomely held. <br /><br />"splintering, divisive"--my question is to what extent the divisions and factions we see everywhere along doctrinal lines flies in the face of what you are encouraging here?<br /><br />An even tougher question: what do we do to fight against such splintering and division? Are we "lacking grace in our living" if we don't actively labor against the trend of dividing ourselves into theological affinity groups, working instead for unity in Jesus' body? (The comments you cite from Ajith on willingness to suffer other believers also hover over this question.)Jason B. Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00259815143346242351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33057643.post-50225685782693504572010-11-30T12:48:39.714-06:002010-11-30T12:48:39.714-06:00Dane,
I read the post on Justin Taylor's blog,...Dane,<br />I read the post on Justin Taylor's blog, then clicked on the link to your blog, and I'm glad I did because this part was so helpful and encouraging to me:<br /><br />"If we are confessing Calvinists and yet are impatient, splintering, divisive, condescending, or emotionally elitist, etc, then we're not really Calvinists. It doesn't matter what we say we believe. We don't really believe it's all--all--of grace."<br /><br />I need to remember this the next time I'm tempted to be proud toward an arminian Christian!<br /><br />Thanks,<br />BobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com