We are joined on this broadcast by our good friend, John Samson (EffectualGrace.com). We talk about God’s sovereignty in salvation [39 min. mark] and we are even joined by someone who was challenging Reformed Theology on Jeff’s social media. Jeff invited him to discuss his challenges to Calvinism on air before our audience rather than in Facebook chat boxes. He called. We are excited for you to hear it.
We also talk about […] Kim Davis [at the 19 min. mark]…
One of the reasons we started The Confessing Baptist Podcast wasn’t because we were pros (as you can easily guess) or for the money (wait, people don’t lose money off this kind of stuff!?) but because we simply wanted to interview Reformed Baptist pastors or those who could inform us more about our Particular Baptist history since no one else was doing something like that.
Of course, his interviewee scope is much broader than ours, but he does get some Reformed Baptists on, and those are the shows we’ll be highlighting below:
…[H]ere are a some simple rules of interpretation (hermeneutics) which should at least get us started. May God use these brief words to encourage you as you search out the truths of God’s word, for His glory:
1. Consider the Author – who wrote the book? (what was his background, language, culture, vocation, concerns, education, circumstance, what stage of life?)
2. Consider the Audience (why was the book written? who was the audience? what would these words have meant to its original recipients?)
3. The Meaning of Words (this has become a lot easier in our day with all the information and technology at our disposal. The computer program Bibleworks 8 is especially recommended).
4. Historical Setting (avoid anachronism – trying to understand the past while viewing it wearing 21st century glasses – will not help toward understanding the original meaning of the author).
5. Grammar – (how things are being expressed – imperative is a command, a subjunctive would be “would you like to do this?” – two quite different meanings result)
6. Textual Issues – (are there any questions about the earliest or most authoritative manuscripts in comparison with others of a later date – and how does this influence our understanding of what was originally written)
7. Syntax – this refers to words and their relationship with one another. […]
8. Form of Literature (we should interpret the Bible literally, but that doesn’t mean we don’t recognize that parables are parables, and that to interpret them correctly, we interpret them as literal parables! Historical narrative is historical narrative, nouns are nouns, verbs are verbs, analogies are analogies)
9. Immediate Context (a text out of context becomes a pretext. It can be made to say something not intended by the author). Always check the immediate context of a verse or passage to determine the correct interpretation.
10. Document Context (in Romans, there is a certain argument Paul is pursuing, and this helps us to determine what is meant in isolated verses when we know the purpose for what is being written. Always keep the author’s broad purpose in mind when looking in detail at the meaning of texts). […]
11. Author’s Context (this refers to looking at all of a person’s writings – John’s writings, Paul’s writings, Luke’s writings, etc.).
12. Biblical Context (the broadest context possible, the entire Bible; allowing us to ask if our interpretation is consistent with the whole of Scripture. Scripture is never contradictory to itself.
13. Understand the difference between prescriptive and descriptive statements in the Bible. Is the verse telling us to do something, or does it describe an action someone does? […]
14. Build all doctrine on necessary rather than possible inferences. […]
15. Interpret the unclear passages in Scripture in light of the clear. Though all Scripture is God breathed, every passage is not equally clear (easy to understand). […]
16. Build doctrine on didactic (teaching) statements in Scripture rather than possible inferences from narrative passages […]
17. Think for yourself but not by yourself […]
18. Avoid hyper allegorical interpretations […]
He made his way through each of the above points in the last four Dividing Line broadcasts:
Rick Warren, in this video throws the Biblical gospel to the curb, all in the name of “unity.” Yet there is no Christian unity apart from the gospel.
For Rome, justification is by grace plus merit, through faith plus works; by Christ plus the sinner’s contribution of inherent righteousness. In contrast, the Biblical gospel affirms (based on the sure foundation of Scripture alone) that salvation is by God’s grace alone, received through faith alone, because of Christ alone, to the Glory of God alone.
Dr. James White writes,
“…my heart truly aches when I see something like this… It is, to put it bluntly, a complete capitulation on Warren’s part. It is simply horrific. Either he is utterly ignorant of the realities of the dogmatic teachings of Rome, or, he is so completely compromised on his own view of the gospel that he can speak like this… It is such a betrayal of the Reformation and the gospel itself, and it is the fruit of the “Mere Christianity” cancer that has eaten away at the robust faith that once delivered millions from bondage to the darkness that is Romanism.”
Rick Warren has been used in a Roman Catholic promotional video to white-wash the fundamental differences between Christianity and Romanism. Here is a brief response, shot in Irpin, Ukraine, challenging Warren’s capitulation to Rome’s claims
Tom Chantry interacts with Rick Warren’s video via an alternative method [time machine!] and gives us, “The Warren Trajectory“:
…Armchair theologians like to speculate about where various theologians church celebrities are going to wind up. Well, speculate no longer, because I’m back from the future with a thumb-drive, and I’ve discovered some pretty interesting video evidence of the near future…
Well here’s what we found just five years into the future [2 min. video]:
Spent the vast majority of the program reviewing the videos I responded to from Kiev regarding Rick Warren. Since some folks do not follow the blog or FaceBook, and only listen to the DL, I felt it important to address Warren’s claims and statements on the program. And, of course, I could go into more detail on the DL…
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”
This seems to be problematic, for if there is something the Son does not know, would this not indicate to us that he is not omniscient (all knowing)? God is all knowing and yet this tells us that there is something Christ did not know. Pastor John, how do we reconcile this verse with the Christian concept of the Deity of Christ?
…we respond a portion of a video (Here) put up by Steven Anderson of Faithful Word Baptist Church. Anderson is well known on the internet for his anti-Calvinism rants, KJV Onlyism, and for the famous incident wherein he was tazed by border agents. In his recent video he says that Calvinism is Satanic and that Calvinists are perverts.
We are joined on this broadcast with our good friend, John Samson. John is the pastor of King’s Church (www.kingschurchaz.com) and is the author of the book, ‘Twelve What Abouts: Answering Common Objections Concerning God’s Sovereignty in Election’. John speaks with us about the nature of man, God’s sovereignty, and a host of other issues.
…we interview and dialogue with John Samson (author of ’12 What Abouts’) on the local church. Consider this an episode that deals with practical and biblical living as Christians.
We believe this show will really bless you. We address the importance of the local church, being under the authority of Elders, and being involved in transparent and accountable community.
The internet is buzzing with talk about the interview/discussion between Steven Anderson (Faithful Word Baptist Church) and Dr. James White (Alpha & Omega Ministries). Dr. James White wrote the book, “The King James Only Controversy”. Steven Anderson is a King James Version Onlyist and was interviewing Dr. White for his film on the subject. The entirety of the video (over 2-hours) was recently posted on YouTube and is available for everyone to see.
Dr. White gives us an excellent discussion about the transmission of the text of the New Testament, how we know that God has been faithful in preserving His Word, and how KJV Onlyism is inconsistent and needs to be rejected.
As a biblical principle tithing was in place long before the Law, during the Law and is nowhere rescinded in the New Testament. In saying this, I want to be quick to also say that our giving does not end with tithing. The New Testament Christian, in light of the grace found in Christ, and because of the overflow of a grateful heart of generosity, should actually seek to do more than tithe. Tithing is merely the starting point.
After this good bit of humor John Samson continued what he had started in February, his series on the TULIP (Doctrines of Grace). At this point he was on the subject “Irresistible Grace.” [video | audio]
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Yesterday John Samson sat in again and picked up where he left off on Tuesday with “Preservation of the Saints” on The Dividing Line. [video | audio]
Great audio and video resources for anyone new to the Doctrines of Grace, Reformed Theology, and really just a basic understanding of the gospel! John Samson does a great job of teaching this to those who are unfamiliar or new to the Reformed faith, which of course if always a great reminder to any Reformed Christian.
As you might already be aware, for the last couple of weeks I have had the distinct honor and privilege of hosting Dr. James White’s “Dividing Line” broadcast while he was away on a ministry trip to Europe.
Update July 4, 2014: John Samson continued what he had started in February, his series on the TULIP (Doctrines of Grace). At this point he was on the subject “Irresistible Grace.” [video | audio]
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Yesterday John Samson sat in again and picked up where he left off on Tuesday with “Preservation of the Saints”on The Dividing Line. [video | audio]
I submit that we need a clear understanding of the law/gospel contrast, if we want to be healthy in our preaching, churches, families, and individual sanctification. The law/gospel distinction is often misunderstood or overlooked, but it is thoroughly biblical and vital. Consider three different places in Scripture that teach the law/gospel contrast:
Galatians 4:22-26 says, “For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.”
These verses contrast the two covenants of law and gospel, which are typologically revealed in Hagar and Sarah. The law covenant is a covenant of slavery to guilt and condemnation. The gospel covenant is a covenant of freedom to life and justification.
Hebrews 12:18-24 says, “For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
These verses contrast two mountains: Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. The mountains are types of the law and the gospel. Sinai and Zion were both mountains of the Mosaic covenant. Sinai represents the law that condemns. Zion represents the gospel in the temple, the priesthood, and the sacrifices.
The Protestant Reformers were so certain of the importance of this doctrine (of Law and Gospel) that they declared that without it no one would be able to make sense out of Scripture.
Martin Luther even declared of the person ignorant of this distinction that ‘you cannot be altogether sure whether he is a Christian or a Jew or a pagan, for it depends on this distinction.’
In a recent interview with John Samson – author of the book, “Twelve what abouts – answering common objections concerning God’s Sovereignty in Election” we discussed a few of those objection. However, we left many other unanswered. So, on today’s program John is back to continue the discussion.
John Samson went from being a convinced Arminian to a grace loving, Christ-honoring, Calvinist. He shares some of his journey and winsomely answers many of the questions he himself grappled with. Twelve What Abouts by John Samson is the perfect book for those seeking truth about God’s sovereign grace in salvation. Straightforward, easy to read, concise, and most of all Biblical, this is a unique book, providing answers for the twelve most common objections raised against the doctrine of Divine election. Pastor Samson’s gracious spirit provides an excellent reading environment for those struggling with these great truths of Scripture.
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John Samson is serves as the pastor of King’s Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
Over at his blog, Effectual Grace, Pastor John Samson wrote:
“Making a Defense of the Faith (Apologetic Methodology) and Christ’s work on the cross (Particular Redemption) – These two themes are in view as I was interviewed by the great folks at Apologia Radio this week. You can hear the program online here:“
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John Samson is serves as the pastor of King’s Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle people stumble over concerning the Biblical doctrine of Divine Election, is the idea that it just doesn’t seem fair. It is the issue I struggled with for quite some time, as like many others, I had the idea that in order for God to be fair, He has to treat all people equally.
At his blog, Effectual Grace, Pastor John Samson writes:
In our zeal to get to the wonders awaiting us in reading through a book of the New Testament, we often dash through the opening remarks of greeting. Yet there is a wealth of insight available to us if we would just pause and reflect on the words. In Philippians 1:2 the Apostle Paul wrote: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
John Samson, over at Effectual Grace, post 16 rules of Bible interpretation:
1. Consider the Author 2. Consider the Audience 3. The Meaning of Words 4. Historical Setting 5. Grammar 6. Textual Issues 7. Syntax 8. Form of Literature 9. Immediate Context 10. Document Context 11. Author’s Context 12. Biblical Context 13. Understand the difference between prescriptive and descriptive statements in the Bible. 14. Build all doctrine on necessary rather than possible inferences. 15. Interpret the unclear passages in Scripture in light of the clear. 16. Think for yourself but not by yourself.
“It seems odd, that certain men who talk so much of what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves, should think so little of what he has revealed to others.” – C. H. Spurgeon, Commenting and Commentaries
10. Document Context (in Romans, there is a certain argument Paul is pursuing, and this helps us to determine what is meant in isolated verses when we know the purpose for what is being written. Always keep the author’s broad purpose in mind when looking in detail at the meaning of texts). […]
Is Calvinism “Satanic”? – with John Samson – 7/26/2014
Samson Claus and Biblical Community – 8/16/2014
Dr. James White vs. Steven Anderson – 8/30/2014
Pastor John Samson:
John Samson, over at Effectual Grace, post 16 rules of Bible interpretation: