by Bret Capranica | Sep 4, 2006 | Deacons, Ecclesiology
Perhaps the most debated and difficult area to interpret in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 is verse eleven and the discussion concerning whether women in general are discussed or wives. It must be noted from the beginning that there is no easy answer and church history from even its early stages has seen both views held.[1] The problem lies within the fact that the term translated “women” (NASB) can also be translated “wives” (KJV, NIV). Greek does not use a distinct word for wives as opposed to women; the context must help one to determine which the author of the passage intended. Knight proposes four prominent viewpoints as to how this has been viewed throughout church history. These four views include: · Women who are part of the deacon body – i.e., women deacons. · A distinct group of leaders from that of Overseers and Deacons known as “Deaconnesses” · Female assistants to the deacons. · Wives of deacons.[2] Arguments for the first view are significant. The use of the word, “likewise” is used in the chapter to denote discussions of new groups of individuals (3:8). Also, the normal manner for Paul to indicate that he is speaking about a wife in contrast to a woman in general is to provide a possessive pronoun so that the phrase would read, “their own wife/wives,” or “your wife,” which he does not do here (cf., Colossians 3:19; Ephesians 5:25). However, the term likewise, while admittedly marking a change in the discussion, does not demand that one see that the verse refer to another leader, but merely that Paul is making a distinction between...
by Bret Capranica | Sep 4, 2006 | Bookreviews, Calvinism
Upon receiving a copy of Chosen But Free, I decided I should also read through James White’s response entitled, The Potter’s Freedom. In my estimation, White has done the Christian community a great service in countering Geisler’s less than worthy critique of Calvinism. The Potter’s Freedom (PF) is a direct response to Chosen But Free (CBF). To make the best use of PF, one must also have a coy of CBF handy. White divides PF into fourteen chapters. His aim is to present a biblical response to Geisler’s criticism of Calvinism as well as to offer a biblical primer on the basic tenets of Calvinism in general. White accomplishes in PF what Geisler does not in CBF. White provides lengthy and detailed discussions of biblical passages crucial to the Calvinist-Arminian debate. He anticipates the arguments for and against Calvinism and offers biblical support for his conclusions. While one may reject his conclusions, it will not be because White did not offer cogent and extensive explanations of biblical passages related to the core issues. I found his chapters on Romans 9 and Particular Redemption to be some of the best material in the book. He gives extensive evaluation of the texts expositionally as well as dealing with Geisler’s comments in CBF. The one drawback in reading through PF is that if someone has not read CBF or have a copy nearby, he/she will find it difficult to stay focused on the doctrinal issues evaluated. James White has not only defended the doctrines of grace from a clearly biblical perspective, he has also handily refuted the erroneous claims of Norman Geisler...
by Bret Capranica | Sep 4, 2006 | Bookreviews, Calvinism
A few years ago, a loving couple [a retired pastor and his wife] who were members of the church I was pastoring at the time, became quite disturbed because of a particular sermon I had preached from 2 Thessalonians 2:13 on the subject of election. With, what I believe was and is a heart of true affection and genuine concern they gave me a copy of Norman Geisler’s book Chosen But Free. They exhorted me that it was a more balanced view point of the doctrines of grace, commonly called Calvinism. They assured me that my understanding of election was not a balanced one and not only violated man’s free will, but would be a direct hindrance to any real evangelism and missions being enacted in our church; the typical accusations. It has taken me four years to finish the book. Yes, I am a slow reader, but more, Chosen But Free (CBF) is not a well written book. I hate to say that in the beginning of a book review, but it has taken me four years of force feeding to finish the book. Geisler’s aim in the book is to confront what he defines as “Extreme Calvinism” and counter it with his proposal of “Moderate Calvinism.” As one will find if he performs even a quick scan of the book, Geisler’s “Moderate Calvinism” is little more than contemporary Arminianism. Geisler gives what I would term as a stereotypical evangelical (what I was raised in) Arminianism. That is, he trumpets the indiscriminate free will (total self-determination) of man to choose whether he will be saved or not. Man’s...
by Bret Capranica | Sep 4, 2006 | Calvinism
The elect are not only redeemed by Christ and renewed by the Spirit, but also kept in faith by the almighty power of God. The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints does not maintain that all who profess the Christian faith are certain of heaven. It is saints – those who are set apart by the Spirit – who persevere to the end. Isaiah 43:1-3; 54:10; Jeremiah 32:40; Matthew 18:12-14; John 3:16, 36; John 5:24; 6:34-35, 47; 10:27-30; 17:11-12, 15; Romans 5:8-10; 8:1, 29-30, 35-39; 1 Cor 1:7-9; 10:13; 2 Cor 4:14, 17; Ephesians 1:5, 13-14; 4:30; Col 3:3-4; 1 Thess 5:23-24; 2 Tim 4:18; Heb 9:12, 15; 10:14; 12:28; 1 Pe 1:3-5; 1 John 2:19, 25; 1 John 5:4, 11-13, 20; Jude 1; 24,...
by Bret Capranica | Sep 4, 2006 | Calvinism
So, I’m trying to finish a number of backlogged projects – here’s one: my continuation of summarizing the salient points in Steele, Thomas and Quinn’s book, The Five Points of Calvinism. These are merely quotations from the book and not my own thoughts. I am recording them to have them on file. The other articles can be found by clicking on the “Calvinism” category. THE EFFICACIOUS CALL OF THE SPIRIT OR IRRESISTIBLE GRACE Simply stated, this doctrine asserts that the Holy Spirit never fails to bring to salvation those sinners whom He personally calls to Christ. He inevitably applies salvation to every sinner whom He intends to save, and it is His intention to save all the elect. Through this special call, the Holy Spirit performs a work of grace within the sinner, which inevitably brings him to faith in Christ. His will is renewed through this process, so that the sinner spontaneously comes to Christ of his own free choice. Because he is given a new nature so that he loves righteousness, and because his mind is enlightened so that he understands and believes the biblical gospel, he renewed sinner freely and willingly turns to Christ as Lord and Savior. Thus, the once dead sinner is drawn to Christ by the inward, supernatural call of the Spirit, who through regeneration makes him alive and creates faith and repentance within him. Notable aspects of this doctrine: The Spirit Saves: Romans 8:14; 1 Cor 2:10-13; 6:11; 12:3; 2 Corinthians 3:6, 17-18; 1 Peter 1:1-2. The Spirit Gives New Birth: 1. Sinners through regeneration, are brought into God’s Kingdom and are...
