Provisionist Perspective

Eric and Drew return LIVE for Part 3 in their series of responding to John MacArthur of  @gracetoyou 's sermon on "Why Does God Allow So Much Evil and Suffering?" in the world from a  @ligonier conference in 2008. They interact with Calvinist commenters that gave them the most thoughtful pushback, engage with whether or not the idea of "two wills" in God is Biblical and rational, and look at the theme of thanksgiving prayer according to JMac in his sermon "Giving Thanks in Everything" from 1991.

Warren "The Idol Killer"   McGrew joins Eric and Drew after having recently come under fire by Marlon Wilson of  The Gospel Truth and James White (among many others) for his critique of the Reformed doctrine of infant damnation, comparing the doctrine to the spirit behind ancient worshippers of the baal god, Molech. Eric offers some pushback for Warren and they all discuss whether controversial, incendiary rhetoric is helpful or hurtful in these kinds of discussions. Drew offers a challenge for online engagement and asks the question of how much Biblical conflict resolution from Matthew 18:15-20 applies to this situation. #BaalGate

Eric and Drew tune in LIVE on YouTube for a react/response video to Colin of the Consistent Calvinism podcast. Eric and Drew respond to a number of critiques from Colin of their posts on X-Twitter. They talk about determinism, moral reponsibility, God's control, and some philosophy behind determinism and free will.

Eric & Drew change tact this week as they look at the latter half of John Piper's book Coronavirus and Christ and end up having a lot of positive things to say about his advice while highlighting how it doesn't really mesh with the Calvinistic determinism established in the first half of the book.

Drew reviews a really fascinating conversation he had on Twitter with Colin of the Consistent Calvinism Podcast on whether we can trust our thoughts if free will is true and whether or not all of reality is just cause & effect.

Eric and Drew give a critical review of John Piper's 2020 book Coronavirus & Christ, highlighting the weaknesses of his proof texts for "sovereignty", the encouraging parts, as well as the parts that just make no sense on his Calvinistic-deterministic worldview.

Eric and Drew dust off the  "Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God's Plan of Salvation" and talk about it's affirmations and denials as well as the points of agreement they have (and don't have with it). The Traditionalist Statement was formulated and published circa 2012 and has since been defended in Baptist Journal articles (links below).

Eric and Drew have a lively discussion with their viewers on the sensitive topic such as divorce and remarriage. 

Eric & Drew discuss a sermon from David Pawson on Divorce & Remarriage and compare and contrast their views on the issue. They talk about divorce in the Old Testament from the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 24) as well as God's feelings towards adultery Israel and how He responded to them in the context of divorce in Jeremiah 3, Hosea, and Malachi 2. Pawson explains Jesus view on divorce and remarriaged and Drew and Eric discuss his take on the "exception"  in Mattew 19:9 and what this might mean for us. Church discipline is discussed surrounding how to deal with this issue in the Church and how we move forward to take the commands in Scripture more seriously.

In this live episode, Eric and Drew discuss a sermon called "Paul and the Transformative Gospel". NT Wright talks about how the Gospel seemed like "controversial nonsense" to his hearers because of how radical it was. Drew and Eric reflect on what it could be that Christians are now known for that would radically depart from their culture. NT Wright emphasises Paul's "Gospel of reconciliation" and the Provisionist bros talk about how this could be applied to divorce, remarriage, and church discipline in the Church and how no one does it and this seems like a problem. NT Wright describes the slave and master relationship and Eric concludes that this is the kind of abusive relationship that Paul is interested in reconciling as part of his Gospel.

Eric and Drew walk through Ephesians 1:1-14 in a verse by verse layman's commentary. They discuss election, predestination, and God's salvation plan, highlighting some of the Jew/Gentile distinctions in the passage that are important for the soteriological discussion.Connect with us on the socials!

Tag-teaming in and out as the proverbial "good cop" and "bad cop", Drew and Eric tackle a critique of their Corporate Election view from Ephesians 1 by Tyler Vela, an online Calvinist apologist. Vela strawmans and misrepresents throughout and Drew and Eric highlight these tactics in their own unique ways. Drew & Eric highlight that examining and paying attention to pronouns is more important than Vela seems to think and Drew properly represents the Provisionist view of predestination in Ephesians 1 since Vela doesn't get it quite right. Eric shows some of Vela's dismissive tactics that Online Calvinism (like James White's Alpha and Omega Ministries) is often characterized by. Drew closes by revealing the double standard that many like Vela seem to have when engaging in these controversial theological/soteriological discussions.

Drew engages with a challenge/offer/bet from Tyler Vela of the Freed Thinker Podcast on Twitter. Vela offered $100 if Drew could accurately engage with his (and other Calvinists') view on Ephesians 1 and Election!! Drew summarizes their interaction on Twitter (link to thread below) and proceeds to first engage with some of Vela's tweets and then walks though Ephesians 1 from a Calvinistic perspective. You decide. Did Drew accurately engage his view? Let us know in the comments!Connect with us on the socials!

Eric discusses a recent social media controversy and asks "Is there value in controversial rhetoric?" and "Can we be disrespectful towards ideas we find to be harmful?". Eric gives evidence for his position on these questions by showing venerated Calvinists engaged in the same controversial analogy and in arguably disrespectful rhetoric. Also, those who engage in theological discussion online should be ready for this kind of backlash and know how to respond to it. Connect with us on the socials!

Drew and Eric continue their walk through Provisionism's PROVIDE acrostic and talk about our responsibility to God and how He makes His grace accessible and available to everyone.Connect with us on the socials!

Drew and Eric join in for a live session as they reflect on what they've been learning about God and His providence in their lives.

Eric, with special surprise guest Drew McLeod, discusses an article he wrote on Soteriology 101 which addresses a criticism Eric terms "The Standard of Seriousness". How much knowledge do we need before those who we criticize have to take our arguments seriously? There is a fine line between requesting knowledge of historical Reformed orthodoxy and gatekeeping such that only those who essentially become Reformed can criticize Reformed Theology. https://soteriology101.com/2021/09/27/the-standard-of-seriousness/

In this impromptu episode, the guys jettison their plan and go on a journey of discussing how bad metaphysics and wrong ideas harm our spirits. We refute bad theology and harmful spiritual ideas because they send our brothers and sisters in Christ into spiritual dread and give an example of this happening in their online community.Responding to Reformed Theology

Eric and Drew respond to a Radio Free Geneva episode critiquing an article they (kinda) co-wrote together on Soteriology 101. The article, titled "John 6 Is Not About You", examines the identity of "those given" to Christ beforehand. How does the Apostle define who "those given" are? James White agrees with them it means the Apostles in John 17, but denies it means the same in John 6. We're never given a reason for this denial nor any real engagement with the claim. Instead, James White claims our hermeneutic is out of bounds without ever showing why and claims we are saying nothing in John is relevant to believers today (we didn't). The guys show why James White's claims are unfounded, and why their hermeneutic is consistent and reasonable and show biblical evidence for their conclusion while calling James White to respond to the actual claims in the article. 

Eric & Drew review their recent (and first!) debate with John O'Roarke and Pat Hine on the subject "Does the Bible Teach An Immutable Precreation Divine Decree?". They talk about how much they learned about debates and some of the slip-ups they made as well as strengths that they could have leaned into.Just because God plans things does not equal an immutable precreation divine decree. Our opponents didn't seem to think that God could accomplish certain ends without controlling and micromanaging everything. The guys highlight that none of the passages that were covered by their opponents actually teach an "immutable precreation divine decree". In the Debate, Greek & Hebrew were quoted a few times by our opponents which wasn't helpful and demonstrates they weren't interested in context. We trust God because of his revealed character and history of goodness not because he is in control of all potentially rogue molecules. Molecules cannot frustrate his plans. On Calvinism, God seems to "lisp" and speak disingenuously about his plans if he doesn't change his mind at all regarding them. Drew highlights a low moment for him in the debate and E&D talk about whether they'd have a crack at it again.

Eric and Drew debate Brother John O'Roark & Brother Patrick Hines on the subject "Does the Bible Teach An Immutable Precreation Divine Decree?" on The Gospel Truth channel with Marlon Wilson. John and Patrick make the case that if God is in control of the minutiae then God must have an immutable divine decree while Eric & Drew present evidence against this position that certain passages teach that there is a decree that is immutably set prior to creation such as God not having decreed child sacrifice in Jeremiah 19 and the conflict that it presents God to have decreed things that grieve and displease him. Predestination & the Cross is discussed at length as the men attempt to show from their perspectives that either all is predestined or the Cross would fail to happen or that God has predestined some outcomes to happen but not all sinful desires and choices.

Dr. Eric Hankins chops it up with Eric and Drew for their 2nd interview. This time they discuss the state of the soteriological controversies in the SBC, how Dr. Hankin's prescriptions from "Loyal Opposition" are going, and how we can make a difference going forward. Hankins talks briefly about his own theological journey, how he started receiving pushback as a self-professed "3-point Calvinist", and how this led to the formulation of what is known as the Traditional Statement of Southern Baptist understanding of God's plan of salvation. Hankins wanted to articulate clearly and cogently what he as a Southern Baptist believed soteriologically which resulted in the TS' affirmations and denials (linked below). Hankins talks about the Founders Ministry's self-stated desire to return the SBC to the foundation of Reformed Theology and how the Abstract of Principles, a 4-point Calvinist document, is affirmed by two Southern Baptist seminaries (SEBTS & SBTS). The guys talk about the role the Abstract of Principles plays in Southern Baptist academia and how, even though we're not supposed to talk about it, for some reason, most seminary graduates are Reformed when they come out. Eric and Drew lament the apathetic state of many Christians towards soteriology and Hankins highlights the strength of a "whosoever will" theology in evangelism and missions. Drew gives testimony about his evangelism experiences and where Calvinism entered in. Hankins talks about the challenge of obtaining theological clarity in light of the BFM2000's "incoherence" and how this can sometimes lead to division. Hankins talks about the choice that he faced of choosing or not choosing to "be online" and lead up the Traditionalist movement or to continue pastoring. Hankins responds to a question about what drives robust missions and evangelism. Drew and Eric express their desire to see more online resources that people can access from a Provisionist theological perspective. Hankins then responds to how important it is to emphasize a personal response of faith in our soteriology as opposed to running away from it.✍More from Hankins:

In a lively interview, Dr. Eric Hankins joins the guys and answers their questions about his influences; both personal and theological. He discusses what led him to study soteriology in depth. He talks about the development of the Traditional Statement and the fallout after its' release. He also gives our listeners his recommended resources to start their own journey into becoming soteriological literate or taking the next step in their soteriological journey. Hankins' Works:

Drew McLeod has a conversation with a Calvinistic brother, Zack Avery about the Provisionist perspective on God's calls, whether they are effectual or ineffectual, carry a different meaning, etc.Drew and Zack have been talking theology online for a while, their online conversations even spawning articles that have recently been reviewed by James White. Zack begins with their agreement on the Gospel (Good News) and how it presupposes a problem: Man's depravity. Zack talks a little bit about Oneness theology as contrasted with Trinitarianism along with his thoughts on what the Bible teaches about Man's inability. Zack talks a bit about the need--on his view--for the effectual call, the Holy Spirit's work on the sinner's heart and Drew highlights an oft neglected truth of the inherent spiritual nature of the Gospel and the Word of God. Zack and Drew go on to discuss their views on "the called" in 1 Corinthians 1 and how it is that people generally regard the Gospel as foolish and yet some believe it and are saved. Drew talks about the Gospel being foolish to most people and how, because it is foolish, we must humble ourselves to receive it and for this reason, many Christians are a weird and peculiar people. Drew highlights his own views on what it means to be "being saved" as contrasted with those who are "perishing" in 1 Corinthians 1,18 and that if it were an ontological condition we would be "being saved" irrespective of our faith. Drew talks about his views on Romans 8,28-30 and subtly highlights the "synergism" mention in verse 28. A question for Leighton Flowers' view comes up that Drew can't answer along with Zack's view on "calling" in Acts 2 that Drew confesses he hasn't studied much on. Drew gives a little bit of pushback with some seeming "resistible grace" from Acts 7,51 and Zack asks why some seem to receive more light if God wants all to be saved equally.

Drew and Eric discuss a sermon from John MacArthur and examine the techniques used to convince Christians that Augustinian philosophy is true. Specifically, MacArthur gaslights their reason and disparages philosophy in order to hide the reasoning and philosophy he is using to convince you of a direct contradiction.The guys cover how John MacArthur dismisses human reasoning and philosophy as though it's something to be sneered at instead of a God-given gift that can be used to obtain wisdom. They briefly cover why they don't believe there's a contradiction that Reformed theologians think there is between sovereignty and human freedom. JMac gives advice to a dying man on how to be born again and later on intimates that attempting to reason through this issue would make someone on the level of a poached egg. In the end, he says that "there is no explanation" and leaves his audience with a "tension" (which is really an unstated contradiction in his theology). Drew asks the question if anyone cares about theology or soteriology besides Calvinists and Reformed theologians.

Continuing their new "Demystified" Series, Eric and Drew discuss the meaning of the theologically-loaded word "predestination" as it relates to our adoption as sons, future resurrection, and current/future salvation from Romans 8, Ephesians 1, and some additional supporting passages.This word "predestination" isn't as controversial as many Christians think that it is. Drew & Eric walk starting through the middle of Romans 8 into a passage about "hope" and how we are "waiting" for the redemption of our bodies, which Paul describes as "our adoption". Jesus is discussed as the "firstborn" from among the dead (prototokos) and how Romans 8, 29's "conformed to the image of his Son" is really about being predestined to be resurrected as Jesus was. How the Greek word is used in context of Jesus' resurrection and the primacy of the Resurrected Christ is central to the Christian message is emphasized. In, Ephesians 1 are the next two usages of the word and the guys discuss how the "faithful in Christ Jesus" is the group who is the personal, intimate, "us" who is predestined unto adoption. This is an encouraging promise that all believers can take comfort in rather than a controversial "how you became saved" because God made a decision before you existed. They also talk about the new heavens and the new earth and how we are saved from the present sins of our current world and society and future sin in the hope that we will be resurrected and delivered into a new creation just like Jesus was.

Eric and Drew cover the sinfulness/fall of man with passages from Provisionism's PROVIDE acrostic such as being born sinful, the age of accountability, sin nature, etc.They talk about the initial consequences of the Fall being death and how it affects everyone in Genesis 3 and how by Genesis 6 & 8 mankind shows exemplary potential for evil from his youth. Deuteronomy briefly highlights children not knowing good from evil and later on Romans and 1 John talk about sin being transgression of the law rather than an “infection” from birth. Finally, our “sin nature” is discussed and how sin and death entered the world in Romans 5, 12 (along with its consequences again 6, 23)

Eric and Drew discuss the doctrines of election and predestination from Ephesians and what it means to be "in Christ" through faith.#Election #Predestination #Ephesians

Eric and Drew review a new article from GotQuestions.org that seeks to explain what Provisionism is (and isn't) and talk about its strengths and weaknesses.

Eric and Drew prepare for an upcoming debate on The Gospel Truth by discussing the alleged immutable pre-creation divine decree(s) in Scripture and the same vocabulary, different dictionary issues that are often encountered in these controversies.Upcoming Debate on @The Gospel Truth

Eric & Drew join Rick Caldwell of Caldwell Apologetics and Paul Smith of Sonic Reformation to discuss their differences on corporate vs individual election in Romans 9.

Drew and Eric welcome back special guest Pastor Tim Nichols. This time they tackle practical theology on the topic of sexual sin in light of TPP's recommendation of the Billy Graham rule in our Ravi Zacharias episode. Ravi Episode

Eric and Drew clarify their declaration of war on rhetoric from Calvinist leaders from a recent episode critiquing RC Sproul.#Provisionism #RCSproul #CalvinismOriginal Episode

Eric and Drew discuss Free Grace Theology with Special Guest Tim Nichols. What is the difference between OSAS, Eternal Security, and Perseverance of the Saints? Tim walks Eric and Drew through Hebrews 5-6 and what the warnings mean and towards whom they are pointed. 

Eric and Drew discuss the main two views of human freedom and responsibility and why they think determinism is Biblically and philosophically bunk.#Determinism #FreeWill #CompatibilismFollow us on the socials!

Eric and Drew discuss a teaching from the late R.C. Sproul on the Westminster Confession of Faith and God's sovereignty where he claims everyone who disagrees is an atheist.Ligonier Ministries' Original Video, "God's Sovereignty: Chosen By God with R.C. Sproul":https://youtu.be/_ChnTOiYXcA#ReformedTheology #Sovereignty #RCSproulhttp://www.twitter.com/provisionistphttp://www.facebook.com/provisionistperspectivehttp://www.patreon.com/provisionistperspective

Eric and Drew discuss a few key passages on prayer and whether or not it makes a meaningful difference in the plans God has in mind for the people and world events around us.#Prayer #Intercession #ProvisionismConnect with us!

Eric and Drew discuss the recent revelations of Ravi's Zacharias' predatory behavior, how the RZIM organization covered for him, and read RZIM's letter of repentance. They also discuss solutions for the future if Christian organizations are to learn from this. Articles: https://www.rzim.org/read/rzim-updates/board-statementhttps://julieroys.com/open-letter-to-rzim-from-brad-lori-anne-thompson/

Eric and Drew review questions they've been asked recently and field questions from viewers about Provisionism. And an unexpected special guest drops by! #Provisionism

Eric and Drew take a look at which SBC Presidents are Calvinists and how we can know; the pressures at the top of the SBC to not talk about Calvinism, and they take a deep look into the Abstract of Principles (a guiding document for two SBC seminaries). The Abstract of Principles: https://www.sbts.edu/about/abstract/Follow us on the socials! (links on website)www.ProvisionistPerspective.comEnjoying our content? Become a patron, partner with the podcast, and help us reach more people!https://www.patreon.com/provisionistperspective#SBC #SouthernBaptist #Calvinism

Eric and Drew interview Leighton Flowers of Soteriology101 about the emergence and subsequent disappearance of Southern Baptist "Traditional" Soteriology and they discuss what's next for Traditionalist/Provisionist content online...

In the second part of an interview with a friendly Calvinist pastor, Eric and Drew ask Sean Cole 5 questions about Reformed theology. We also find some common ground regarding the lack of Provisionist resources online.

Pastor Sean Cole of Understanding Christianity asks Eric and Drew 5 questions about Provisionism so that his audience would better understand our theology.

Drew and Eric respond to two articles from The Particular Baptist and we ask: How can you be terminally ill and dead at the same time? Also, we clarify some purposeful misunderstandings. https://theparticularbaptist.net/2020/12/26/provisionism-and-mans-moral-posture/https://theparticularbaptist.net/2020/05/29/leightons-ministry-of-selfishness/

Drew reflects on the now-dead Connect316 movement and what's next for Provisionist/Traditionalist Christians on the internet....Click for the Tweet about SBC Traditionalists and Connect316:https://twitter.com/ProvisionistP/status/1344555784529580037?s=20

Join Eric and Drew as they field all of your questions (and we do mean "all"! ;-) )-Once Saved Always Saved-Stealth Calvinism-Free Grace Theology-#notmyStarWars-How do we minister to the hurting?-Answering a question about how men are treated from evangelical pulpits

Eric and Drew go through a New York Times article that interviews former volunteers and leaders at Carl Lent's Hillsong East Coast and discuss how we can avoid these dangers in our own local churches of any size. https://twitter.com/provisionistpwww.facebook.com/provisionistperspectivehttps://www.patreon.com/provisionistperspective

Eric and Drew discuss bad behavior in debates and what it is that makes a mature Christian. We also discuss the merits of McGrew's "defeater" that stumped Slick; if our mind is incapable of discerning spiritual truth how can we know we understand spiritual truth? Original Debate: https://youtu.be/8A0iwZKUSgEhttps://twitter.com/provisionistpwww.facebook.com/provisionistperspectivehttps://www.patreon.com/provisionistperspective

Can we take aspects of psychology that accurately describe what it means to be made in the Image of God while maintaining a biblical worldview? Eric and Drew discuss pastoral care, psychology, and how we can become better people helpers.

Is Big Eva anti-male? Eric discusses the termination of Carl Lentz from Hillsong East Coast. Should we be dunking on him? And how the most popular pastors in Big Eva only condemn men and their particular sins. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hillsong-announces-investigation-nyc-church-after-firing-celebrity-pastor-carl-n1247906https://theopolisinstitute.com/conversations/the-manosphere-and-the-church/https://twitter.com/provisionistpwww.facebook.com/provisionistperspectivehttps://www.patreon.com/provisionistperspective

Eric goes through an article by Bobby Grow regarding the accusation of Pelagianism and shows how due to getting the history wrong and not meeting the standard of evidence he set, Bobby's argument is weak and ends up being tantamount to saying "Provisionists are not Reformed". https://growrag.wordpress.com/2020/05/17/is-leighton-flowers-a-pelagian-the-answer-might-be-concerning/https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1505.htmhttps://twitter.com/provisionistpwww.facebook.com/provisionistperspectivehttps://www.patreon.com/provisionistperspective