Wyatt Graham

Faith | Books | Culture

What Does TULIP in Calvinism Mean?

by Leave a Comment

I recently came across a social media post that described the Calvinist TULIP in the following way: 

T= everyone hates God with all their heart even from the womb 
U = for a mysterious reason God only loves and “elects” a few and damns the rest 
L = Contrary to scripture, Jesus only died for some
I = God forces a few to love Jesus 
P = irrelevant in light of Evanescent Grace

I have heard similar mischaracterizations before. However, comments under this post from Calvinists(!) attempted to defend TULIP without correcting this mischaracterization!

I am not that surprised. For years, I have heard Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike make odd claims about Calvinism and TULIP.

This post and its comments provide a useful teaching moment about what TULIP means.  [Read more…] about What Does TULIP in Calvinism Mean?

Am I Responsible for Changing Others? 

by Leave a Comment

Am I responsible for changing others? Like a friend or someone you know?

I think we are responsible to do our best, but we cannot make someone change. So feeling responsible for someone’s change of disposition is outside of our power.

As I understand it, some things are within our power; some things are not. The future is outside of our power (don’t worry about tomorrow …). The present is in our power (whatever you do, do with all your might …). 

[Read more…] about Am I Responsible for Changing Others? 

Technology Isn’t the Bad Guy

by Leave a Comment

I am more and more convinced that the weight we put on the structural implications of technology and its deleterious effects on us misses the mark. The loss of civic virtues and institutions that had taught forms of self-control, gave community, and more have played a huge role.

This role is often unstated in technology studies. But one reason why people attempt to find community online is because they cannot find it in real life. Everyone is isolated, lonely, living in cities that tend to further this isolation, prevent large families from existing, etc.

Without the traditional mediating institutions of clubs, churches, fraternities, schools, and other such places, people gravitate towards what’s left: social media and community online. [Read more…] about Technology Isn’t the Bad Guy

A Change of Character, Not a Change of Air

by Leave a Comment

What does Seneca say to a man who thinks travelling will fix all of his problems?
 
 

[Read more…] about A Change of Character, Not a Change of Air

Is Complementarianism Inherently Harmful?

by 4 Comments

During the last forty years, evangelicals have debated whether or not the Bible allows for women to occupy the role of elder or bishop. Egalitarians maintain that men and women may take the office of elder, while complementarians believe in a male-only episcopate. A host of other notions around gender and roles also appear in such discussions. 

Yet I have noticed a recent shift in arguments. Yes, both sides still claim the Bible as their source for their conclusions. But egalitarians argue that complementarian teaching is inherently harmful or at least that it controls women. And since harming women is wrong (everyone agrees on this), it follows that complementarianism is wrong.  [Read more…] about Is Complementarianism Inherently Harmful?