On Changing the Heart without Assent
A rather standard deterministic view of salvation runs something like this: Unregenerate humans are unable to desire salvation. The reason for this inability varies, but for the purposes here, it is unimportant. God changes an unregenerate person’s heart, so they now desire salvation. The person places their faith in Christ,…
Salvation, Active and Passive
One important argument for deterministic predestination to salvation is passages where salvation is spoken of as a passive event. For instance, in 1 John 5:1, we find— Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God… The latter part of this sentence, “has been born of…
24: Levi’s Call
I have already pointed out, in dealing with the subject of jests, how unseemly it is to take the position in life of individuals as the target for our gibes, and also have urged that we should refrain from insulting whole classes, races or communities. But at times our duty…
Review: Christians and Pagans in the City
Paganism often evokes thoughts of pantheons of gods, sacrifices, priests, priestesses, and high ceremony. Zues and Venus, or the days of the week, might come to mind. Christianity, on the other hand, is often associated with more austerity. Even “high church Christianity” doesn’t match the wild experiential experience of pagan…
