Wow! R.C. Sproul's faith...

[Ransom]

russel55 said:

Very weird, because I quoted directly from Sproul as well where he tells the same story about John Gerstner, as you can see. I suppose it could have happened twice—once to Gerstner and then later to Sproul—but the language is so similar that is sure seemed to me to be about the same event.

R. C. Sproul was one of John Gerstner's students (I assume at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in the 1960s).

It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that the "professor" in Sproul's personal anecdote was Gerstner himself, using the same lesson that had made such an impression on him a generation earlier, and that in turn it affected Sproul in precisely the same manner.

 

[TCGreek]

I am as Reform as they get salvifically speaking. It is biblical. Reform soteriology is just identifying what is already in Scripture. I have been engaged in discussion with several people on the "Doctrines of Grace" and I have noticed one common factor: How they understand the deadness of man.

Reform theology has truly recaptured what the bible says about man and his need for salvation and how that is possible. It is wholly a work of God, that is, synergistic.

 

[russell55]

R. C. Sproul was one of John Gerstner's students (I assume at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in the 1960s).

It wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that the "professor" in Sproul's personal anecdote was Gerstner himself, using the same lesson that had made such an impression on him a generation earlier, and that in turn it affected Sproul in precisely the same manner.

That's a really reasonable explanation for it. Thanks.

 

[russell55]

And in my excitement I posted twice.

 

[Rippon]

TCG , Reformed Theology with respect to regeneration says that it is wholly a work of God , that is , monergistic -- not synergistic .

 

[skypair]

Norman Geisler and John Gerstner taught at the same seminary at one point, and Geisler invited Gerstner into his class to discuss their views of Calvinism. Gerstner claimed human choice was outside of human will, caused by another. So Geisler asked Gerstner 'who caused Lucifer to sin?" Gerstner didn't believe the self could make that free choice, especially since Lucifer didn't have a sin nature prior to his first sin, and he didn't want to say God caused Lucifer to sin, so he said it's "mystery, mystery." Well, it doesn't have to be a mystery. That's what I've come to discover. Contradictions are mysteries hidden from Calvinists.

Strong calvinism is inconsistent with reason and scripture when it claims we only have a half of a free choice (can only choose to sin), and pelagianism is inconsistent with scripture when it claims we can choose to follow God based on nothing but ourselves. Only moderate Calvinism can go between the horns of the dilemma and claim that God can work through our free choice, and enable our will with his grace [I'd say with His Holy Spirit]. This has been taught by W. G. T. Shedd, Charles Hodge, Norman Geisler, and L. S. Chafer.

Also agree.

Thanks, Humble!

skypair