Tonight Pastor Michael Newnham and I continue our series on Calvinism by answering questions from the listening audience.
To listen to the show from the site please click the link provided below. To save this program to your portable listening device please right click the link below and select “save as”.
http://phillyflash.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/questions-from-the-listening-audience.mp3
Calvin's Corner 
AMG
October 23, 2011 at 5:07 am
I listened to your show on Calvinism. Calvinists claim sola scriptura, but nowhere in the scriptures say we cannot believe in God on our own after learning of Jesus. Therefore, Calvinists believe in a manufactured doctrine.
Phil Naessens
October 26, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Hi AMG,
Ok, but what do you do with the following Scripture?
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
or this one?
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Plus no one ever said that you can’t use extra biblical sources to further your study but what was said is that the bible is the final authority in all things pertaining to God.
Thanks,
Phil
AMG
October 26, 2011 at 1:43 pm
I do not know how you think you can use 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to support adding to the scriptures. In addition, the other scripture you used is about preaching the gospel, not about adding to it.
Scripture is the ultimate authority.
Psalms 138:2 …for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
Deuteronomy 4:2; 5:32, Proverbs 30:5-6 and Revelation 22:18-19 warn against adding to or detracting from Scripture.
Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you. Deuteronomy 4:2
Deuteronomy 5:32 So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.
“Every word of God is flawless:
he is a shield to those who take refuge
in him.
Do not add to his words,
or he will rebuke you and prove you a
liar.
Proverbs 30:5-6
We are exhorted to check out teaching against Scripture (Isaiah 8:20; Acts 17:11.)
The Bereans of Acts 17:11, “examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.”
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to the word, they have no light of dawn.
Jesus says that tradition keeps man from God’s truth:
Matthew 15:6-9 Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
The apostles from the New Testament received all the truth we need to guide us to eternal life, and they wrote this down in the Scriptures: John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:3; Acts 20:20, 27; Matthew 28:20; I Corinthians 14:37; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
God’s word is understandable even to a young child. How from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, see 2 Timothy 3:15. We do not need elected leaders to interpret God’s word, but we should use the word to check out the teachers, see Mark 7:14; 2 Timothy 3:15, 16, 17; John 20:30, 31; Acts 17:11; and, Psalm 119:105. For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus. See 2 Corinthians 1:13,14.
The world’s wisdom is foolishness to God (Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21; 1 Corinthians 1:7, 19-21, 25-27; 2:1, 4-7, 13; 3:18,19; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:8, 17; Colossians 1:9; 2:3; James 1:5; 2 Peter 3:15). We do not have to read books upon books to understand and explain our beliefs, as do those with false beliefs.
We displease God when we follow tradition or church laws or any human standard as the source of authority for the church (Matthew 15:1-14; Colossians 2:8; Galatians 1:6-9; Proverbs 14:12; 2 John 9-11; Jeremiah 10:23).
Only Jesus can supply our right standing and peace with God. Repent for following false doctrine, and believe on God’s Word. 1 Peter 1:18,19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Phil Naessens
October 27, 2011 at 11:59 am
AMG,
I used that Scripture to support sola scriptura which it does and where oh where have either of us supported adding to the scriptures? I think you’ve built a strawman here my friend.
I think it would be wise to wait until Michael and I finish before you demand my repentance, don’t ya think? Especially considering we haven’t even gotten into the scriptural reasons for why we believe what we believe.
Thanks,
Phil
AMG
October 27, 2011 at 1:44 pm
Phil,
I do not believe that Calvinists use only sola scriptura, so why would you try to prove sola scriptura with scriptures? Again, I believe in the Bible only. Calvinism adds to the scriptures. Calvinists’ favorite line of defense to non-Calvinists is “You are using a straw man,” and “You do not understand Calvinism.” Please do not use as a defense any of those go nowhere tactics.
I already know what Calvinists believe, so why would I need to wait for Michael and you to finish before I suggest repentance? It is not wise to assume I do not know what Calvinists believe when I come to your blog speaking of Calvinism.
Thank you for discussing with me.
AMG
Phil Naessens
October 27, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Hi AMG,
Yes, I know for a fact that you don’t know what Calvinists believe. I read your article
http://christiandefenseofthetruth.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/calvinism/
Why didn’t you actually quote a Calvinist before you attempted a rebuttal? This technique is better known as straw man fallacy. That isn’t very honest nor is it very convincing.
If you would like to honestly interact with me please interact with what I actually say rather then words and beliefs that you place into my mouth.
Thanks,
Phil