Tag Archives: predestination

The Providence of God (Paul Helm)

Posted on November 26, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Helm, Paul.  The Providence of God.  Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsityPress, 1993. Thesis: “In summary, the essential elements of divine providence are these.  God preserves his creation and all that it sustains” (Helm 22). Helm adopts the “no-risk” view of providence.  God’s … Continue reading →

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Review: Steinmetz, Luther in Context

Posted on July 12, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

Background Biel:  God has established a covenant and promises to give saving grace to everyone who meets the terms of the covenant (6).   Staupitz: Only God can make God dear to sinners (9). Luther and Augustine on Romans 9 … Continue reading →

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The Economy of the Covenants (Witsius)

Posted on July 1, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

This is the classic statement of Covenant Theology at the end of the 17th Century.  Witsius steers an irenic course between Voetsius and Cocceius. The first volume deals with Covenant Theology proper while the second volume analyzes the various types … Continue reading →

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Witsius, Notes: Vol 1

Posted on May 22, 2018 by J. B. Aitken

This is mainly Books 1-3 of The Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man (Reformation Heritage reprint) Book 1 Chapter 1: Covenants in General Generally, covenants signify a mutual agreement between parties, with respect to something (43).  A covenant of … Continue reading →

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An Arminian Theodicy

Posted on November 6, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

Arminianism:  divine election is based on foreknowledge of human choices. (this does touch on the Middle Knowledge debate, which will be discussed below).  Rutherford responds that this denies God as the author of second causes.  Arminians deny that grace determines … Continue reading →

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Politics, Religion, British Revolution (Review)

Posted on November 2, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

By John Coffey. John Coffey has filled in a woeful lacuna in Reformed historical scholarship: the absence of a good, critical, and thorough biography of the Covenanter Samuel Rutherford. In fact, Coffey goes on to say that there is not … Continue reading →

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Turretin vol 1, Review

Posted on October 30, 2016 by J. B. Aitken

Recent (that is, pre-1992 A.D.) Reformed theology can be sadly described as a generation arising “which knew not Turretin.” To paraphrase Galadriel in The Fellowship of the Ring: Some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. Turretin’s categorical … Continue reading →

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Does Foreknowledge Change Anything?

Posted on October 14, 2015 by J. B. Aitken

One of the common rebuttals to Calvinism is the claim that predestination = God’s foreknowing our future decision(s) to choose or not choose him.  It’s an attractive position.  It allows human dignity and responsibility yet also posits a timeless God. … Continue reading →

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