Comments on Reformed Voices: Begg on Hyper-Calvinism

I'm not even sure what hyper Calvinism is - is...

2009-12-16T18:39:25.096-06:00

I'm not even sure what hyper Calvinism is - is it wrong to say that Judas was offered the truth that leads to eternal life by the Author of that eternal life, performed miracles by Him, yet never comprehended that, and was destined for damnation, according to the fulfillment of the Scriptures (John 17:12)?

If this statement of our Lord is true, then did He die for Judas?

Is it wrong to say that Jesus saves His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21), so that it is a work performed by God in Christ that is absolutely effective for those He died for, and that therefore, those who do not come to Him He did not die for, since they are not saved from their sins, and so are not His people?

Did He die for all those who are in hell, and who will be?

At the same time, is not the sight of Christ on the cross - and the empty cross - one that is visible to all who look?

Does it not say it is foolishness to those who are perishing, but the power of God to those who believe, who are given to the Son by the Father?

It seems the offer of the gospel is universal in extent, but has the effect God wills it to have on those who hear it - those He has chosen come, and those He has not chosen are repelled by it.

I read the distinctives of some of hyper-Calvinism on Wiki, and I would have to say that I disagree with some, and agree with others - God is the One who saves, and the message is to be preached as openly to all people that His determined, purposed will be done, as with His Son (Acts 2:23), and we are to preach the message to all the peoples and tribes of the earth, indiscriminately - I definitely disagree with any teaching that states other than the universal preaching of the gospel, based on signs of being elect, since only God knows the heart, and such would place man as the judge of people's hearts.

There are varieties of hyper-Calvinism, but the so...

2008-07-11T17:35:00.000-05:00

There are varieties of hyper-Calvinism, but the sort that only limits the gospel offer to "sensible sinners" is very rare today. The sort of hyper-Calvinism that is rampant today teaches that:

1) God in no sense wills the salvation of the non-elect.

2) God in no sense loves the non-elect.

3) God is not in any sense gracious to the non-elect.

4) God is not well-meaning in the gospel offer in the case of the non-elect.

These four things are interrelated and taught by many on the internet. The root problem is doctrine #1.

Perhaps Begg has been exposed to the variety of hyper-Calvinism that limits the offer to sensible sinners (those giving evidence that they are the elect through genuine conviction), but it's virtually non-existent. Therefore, his comment is not going to do much to expose the more common types in the churches today, and thus give a remedy to the more subtle problem.

Westboro Baptist church, I would consider as close...

2008-07-08T20:55:00.000-05:00

Westboro Baptist church, I would consider as close to hyper-calvinist as I know. My pastor recently had an opportunity to witness to some of them and later did an interview. He has these posted on his blog "Delivered By Grace". Interesting stuff to say the least.

I've heard of hyper-calvinists, but don't think I'...

2008-07-08T12:02:00.000-05:00

I've heard of hyper-calvinists, but don't think I've ever met one and I don't think I've heard one. Or, maybe I'm not discerning enough. Can someone help me out by suggesting a PDF or MP3 of a hyper-calvinist? (Not Fred Phelps; I know about him. Somebody serious.)

I'm a big Begg admirer, but he would be too poite to mention names.

I think Alistair is talking about a reluctancy to ...

2008-07-08T11:03:00.000-05:00

I think Alistair is talking about a reluctancy to share the gospel with someone because for some reason you think they may not be one of the elect ('in the group').

Begg your pardon

Have you ever heard of 'un...

2008-07-08T06:22:00.000-05:00

Begg your pardon

Have you ever heard of 'unregenerate Church members'? Do you wonder who preached to them?

Chances are it was not a hyper-Calvinist! It was a 'Biblicist'