“Any person who holds to five-point Calvinism will never be in any danger in this convention as long as he does not allow it to lead him to unscriptural conclusions–such as we ought not to give invitations and things like that. When he gets to that point, either implicitly or explicitly, it has now become a hindrance to evangelism and missions.”

These words, spoken by the previous President of the Southern Baptist Convention Paige Patterson,  ring true with many in that denomination. In fact these are common sentiments against anyone who claim to hold to the Doctrines of Grace.

Patterson added that he found no scriptural support for the doctrines of irresistible grace or limited atonement as espoused by Calvinists. “I’m easy to convince. I stand under the word (of God). Bring me the Bible and show me where it says grace is irresistible and if you’re the elect God’s going to pursue you like the hound of hell.”_

The Bible actually advocates “the exact opposite” of a belief in limited atonement, he asserted. “It says he died not only for our sins, but also the sins of the whole world. That is an unlimited atonement if I’ve ever read anything at all.”  No doubt Patterson who just quoted 1 John 2:2  would also lean on John 3:16 for his argument. But who really limits the atonement of Christ. If I ever met Mr. Patterson I would read John 12:19 to him

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Week 1: Chp 1 “The of Scope of the Parable”

 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’  But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.  (Matthew 25: 1-13)

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My friend Rae Whitlock posted a review of his new ESV Personal Size Reference Bible last week. It inspired me. I recently purchased a new ESV bible ad so I decided to post a review of mine. I will use the same categories as he did but instead of awarding a WIN/FAIL rating I will simply contrast his edition and mine.

1)Layout/Text
I went with the Wide Margin /Reference/Black Letter Edition (heretofore referred to as WMRBL). Rae’s Personal Size Reference Edition (heretofore referred to as PSR) has a single-column format which Rae likes for it’s “top-notch” readability.  While I agree with him in part, I like that my two column format has a lot of context on a single page. What can I say? I’m lazy and like to turn pages as little as possible .
But the major selling point for me was the Wide Margins. I always hate trying to cram any notes into the small margins on the other bibles I have.  Here is a shot of Jonah (the same section Rae showed on his review) to illustrate what the two-column, wide margin format looks like.

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Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security to yourselves in a free world.

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