– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –
Supporters of Calvinism use a number of texts as support for the doctrine of Total Hereditary Depravity (THD). Space limits us from addressing every passage, but if there are questions about other texts, I am happy to have a private conversation on such.
– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –
This first doctrine of Calvinism deals with man’s relationship to sin. The Bible tells us that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), but Calvin’s doctrine goes beyond this. Total Hereditary Depravity (THD) says that every person is born in sin; spiritually corrupt because of Adam’s sin. We read in the Westminster Confession of Faith that Adam and Eve:
…being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity. (Westminster, Chapter VI)
– PLUCKING THE PETALS OF JOHN CALVIN’S TULIP –
Though John Calvin was not a gardener (at least to the best of my knowledge he wasn’t), he is credited with planting, grooming and sharing with the world what has become to many an extremely cherished tulip. However, you will not find this tulip planted in a botanical garden somewhere; it won’t be in your neighbour’s backyard—Calvin’s tulip is a doctrinal system which has taken root in the hearts of believers throughout the world. Unfortunately, it is not a beautiful flower, but a destructive weed which has led many away from the truth of God’s word.
Was Jesus the Son of David? Several texts say He was (Acts 2:30; 13:23; Romans 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:8; Revelation 22:16), but Matthew 22:45 and Mark 12:35-37 say He was not. Is there a contradiction?
Jesus was asked by the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees,
Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink? (Luke 5:33)
To answer their inquiry, the Lord used three short parables. In the first, He emphasized His presence, in the latter two, He spoke of His message.
When did Jesus’ temple tantrum occur? Was it at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:11-16), on the day of his triumphal entry (Luke 19:36-45; Matthew 21:1-13) or the day after his triumphal entry (Mark 11:1-17)? Is there a contradiction?
Immediately after Jesus called Levi to follow Him, this new disciple hosted a feast at his home. Matthew 9:10 tells us that many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down at his table. Even at this early stage in Jesus’ ministry, the Pharisees and scribes were keeping tabs on what Jesus was doing. Mark 2:16 reveals that they saw Him eating with this motley crew at Matthew’s house. They asked His disciples why He ate with such people.
To the Pharisees, these people were untouchables. Bigotry was a huge problem with the religious leaders – why should they, the elite class, associate with such lowly individuals? In Luke 7:39, a Pharisee named Simon concluded that Jesus was not a prophet, since he willingly allowed a sinful woman to touch Him. Such an accusation was not laid against Him in our text, but was no doubt the thought on their minds.
When did Solomon ‘s reign begin? Was it 476 years after the Israelites left Egypt (1 Kings 6:1) or 570 years after they left Egypt (Acts 13:17-18, 20-21; 1 Chronicles 29:26-27)? Is there a contradiction?
For as long as I can remember, truck ads for GM have use Bob Segar’s song, “Like A Rock.” Of course, the idea General Motors wants to convey is that their trucks are strong and reliable. I’ve never owned one, so I don’t know if the image is appropriate or not. What I do know is that Jesus used the stability of a rock two millennium beforehand to speak of the faithful child of God.
As the discourse commonly called the sermon on the mount drew to a close, the Lord made a contrast be-tween those who do His will and those who merely hear it. He could simply have said the first is wise and the latter is foolish (which He did do), but to help illustrate and to make the teaching memorable, He employed a parable about two builders. His teaching is not complex; in fact, Matthew 7:24-27 has been fashioned into a simple children’s song. My first introduction to this text, as yours may also have been, was that song.
Were the Philistines subdued all the days of Samuel? 1 Samuel 7:13 says yes, but 1 Samuel 13:5-10 reveals no. Is there a contradiction?
