Recently, Rev. John MacArthur has been directing blogs and comments towards the "Young, Reformed and Restless," said to include, but not limited to: Mr. Mark Driscoll. We observe that soteriological Calvinism, or the five points of Calvinism, as embraced by MacArthur, Piper, Mohler, Dever, Driscoll, Mahaney, Lawson, Phil Johnson, Adrian Warnock, Wayne Grudem, Rick Warren (yes, he claims to hold to the 5 points of Dordt) and others--all American Anabaptists--does not make them Calvinistic or Reformed. C.H. Spurgeon was a predestinarian Anabaptist; Spurgeon was not Confessionally Reformed nor Confessionally Anglican. Nevertheless, MacArthur opines here about his fellow predestinarian Anabaptists. While he doesn't name Driscoll, he does name Piper. We'll stick with the Confessions and the old Prayer Book. Ligon Duncan and R.C. Sproul, Sr., alleged Confessionalists, provide little to no leadership on this question. They cavort to each others' conferences, sell books, CDs, and garner significant incomes (e.g. Mahaney made $250,000 dollars in 2010 which excludes health care, medical, 401Ks, a debt-free $649,000 home, book and product royalties, and extensive honorariums). Here's MacArthur.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYhmo5gabQU&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6wWedCqfcM&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYhmo5gabQU&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6wWedCqfcM&feature=player_embedded
Phil, I am convinced that covenantal theology goes hand-in-hand with predestinarian doctrine because my researches into its origin show that it explains how the decree to save the elect, made in eternity, takes effect in our finite, time-bounded lives. Further, the covenantal defense of paedobaptism that appears in Zwingli, Calvin, the Westminster divines, and even the Canons of Dordt is an important part of that covenantal theology.
ReplyDeleteStill, I am grateful for the defense of sovereign grace mounted by some of the "predestinarian anabaptist" brothers--even if my spiritual home is in Presbyterian and Continental Reformed tradition.
I'm glad to that these anaBaptists have stumbled onto old and ancient paths, but they still have a long, long way to go. They're still involved in the great error and sin of ana-Baptism. And, to add further insult, they've continued to advance Praise Band horrors in their worship services.
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