The Failure of Internalism: Jimmy Stephens’ Critique of Human Nature and Justification

Internalism and externalism are two competing theories in epistemology that address how beliefs are justified and how knowledge is acquired. These two approaches raise important questions about the limits of human cognition, the nature of justification, and the reliability of … Continue reading The Failure of Internalism: Jimmy Stephens’ Critique of Human Nature and Justification

Uncircumcised Hearts and Divine Sovereignty: A Calvinist Perspective on Leviticus 26:41

Dan Chapa:Calvinists, how do you explain Moses’ comments on humbling an uncircumcised heart? Lev. 26:41 if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they make amends for their iniquity, 42 then I will remember my covenant with Jacob… Jimmy Stephens:Forgive … Continue reading Uncircumcised Hearts and Divine Sovereignty: A Calvinist Perspective on Leviticus 26:41

Provisionism’s Sequential Fallacy: The Unified Nature of Sonship and the Spirit

The process of salvation, often termed the ordo salutis, frequently stirs debates over the sequence of events. Recently, I engaged with a Provisionist perspective that proposed a specific order: enslaved to sin ➡️ faith ➡️ becoming sons of God ➡️ … Continue reading Provisionism’s Sequential Fallacy: The Unified Nature of Sonship and the Spirit

Divine Mysteries and Human Analogies: A Response to Leighton Flowers on Compatibilism and Causation

Leighton Flowers has raised several analogies to challenge Calvinist compatibilism and the moral framework it entails. https://watchmencouncil.com/2024/10/30/how-to-flunk-soteriology101/ First, he uses a “love potion” analogy to argue that Calvinist determinism entails a form of artificial manipulation incompatible with true love. Then, … Continue reading Divine Mysteries and Human Analogies: A Response to Leighton Flowers on Compatibilism and Causation

The Son as Servant: Understanding the Trinitarian Distinction in Isaiah

This is the continuing dialogue with Theophilus (Eastern Orthodox). Here are his questions in response to my article: http://spirited-tech.com/Council/index.php/2020/07/04/besides-me-there-is-no-god/ Theophilus: We can discuss this in as much detail as you like, but I’m curious how you resolve the exegetical issue … Continue reading The Son as Servant: Understanding the Trinitarian Distinction in Isaiah

The Flaws of Reason: Non-Contrastive PSR and Its Metaphysical, Ethical, and Biblical Consequences

W/ Jimmy Stephens The Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR) asserts that for every fact or state of affairs, there must be a sufficient explanation for why it is the case. This principle underlies much of metaphysical and epistemological inquiry, seeking … Continue reading The Flaws of Reason: Non-Contrastive PSR and Its Metaphysical, Ethical, and Biblical Consequences

Beside Me, There Is No Other: The Case for Christ’s Divinity

There’s a lot I could say about this. The speaker in Isaiah 44 is God the Father, because in Isaiah 42:1 He refers to the Messiah as “my servant,” and the speaker remains consistent throughout the next several chapters. However, … Continue reading Beside Me, There Is No Other: The Case for Christ’s Divinity

The Eternal Creator: Christ’s Divine Role in Creation

ContraModalism’s view essentially posits that the Father eternally caused the Son to exist. The Son is seen as a numerically distinct being from the Father, inherently inferior to Him, which establishes an asymmetrical relationship between them. This leads to the … Continue reading The Eternal Creator: Christ’s Divine Role in Creation