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Originally Posted by Civbert  Quote:
Originally Posted by biblicalthought As Calvinists, this question isn't one we generally struggle with. But for the unbeliever or non-Calvinist, it is. Here's a short youtube video that deals with the question in an uncompromisingly bold, and biblically faithful way. Does God Love Everyone? | Very good. And very clearly reasoned from Scripture. Too bad he got the "rationalist" wrong at the beginning. No rationalist would say "Well I think so!" in answer to the question. He would reason it clearly and deductively from what he considers true premises.
The rationalist would say: If it ain't deductive, you don't know it. And he would have a well reasoned answer to the question - and laugh at anyone who said "well I think so" as being ir-rational.
Dr. Bob used clear deductive thinking to say "No, God does not love everyone". His true premise was God's Word is true. His clear deduction was if Scripture says God does not love someone, then God does not love everyone. So Dr. Bob, God bless him, is a Christian rationalist. He should take care not to undermine the "reason" which underlies his reasoning. |
When he's referring to reason, he means "R"eason. Since he is a primary objector to Natural Theology, his main thrust is to get people to look to Scripture rather than feelings, faith, experience, or reason - as the Origin of truth, justice, morals, meaning, and beauty. He's lumping all of humanism together and contrasting it with "biblicism," or "exegetical theology." This is to defend Revealed Theology and get Christians shaken up to the point that they throw out their JP Moreland, Craig, Geisler, et al, books, and ask: what does God have to say about...
He's not a rationalist. He frequently reminds us young guys studying under him that reason is a handmaiden to revelation. In fact, perhaps playing off of Luther's famous saying on reason (she's a whore), he once said "When reason is the handmaiden to revelation, she's a good little girl. But when she gets out on that street corner and acts as the Origin of theology..." and the rest can't be said here (maybe over some beers - or at a men's retreat)!
