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Tag Archives: synergism
Rowboating with God: The Mystery of Synergism
Several years ago I telephoned a well-known Orthodox theologian and asked him to elaborate on the doctrine of synergism. He pointed me to the words of the Apocalypse of John: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any … Continue reading
Posted in Philosophical Theology
Tagged Austin Farrer, causal joint, cooperation, divine agency, God, human freedom, Kallistos Ware, synergism
5 Comments
The Unpreachability of Predestination
When was the last time you heard a sermon preached on election and predestination? In thirty-plus years of priestly ministry I think I may have preached on it once. Christian pastors simply do not preach on it; and it doesn’t … Continue reading
Posted in Preaching, Theology
Tagged Arminianism, calvinism, election, free will, gospel, preaching, predestination, synergism
18 Comments
Luther, Catholicism, and Justification by Faith
In his book The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism, the great Catholic scholar Louis Bouyer, himself a convert from Lutheranism, describes Martin Luther’s understanding of justifying faith: Salvation is a grace, a gift of God, not the work of man. … Continue reading
Posted in Grace, Justification & Theosis
Tagged Catholicism, faith, grace, justification by faith, Martin Luther, salvation, sola fide, sola gratia, synergism
3 Comments
Finding the God Who is Love
The love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for human beings is absolute and unconditional. This fundamental truth of the gospel bears repeating. It bears repeating because we Christians seem to forget it all too easily. We know the … Continue reading
Posted in Herbert McCabe & Friends
Tagged confession, forgiveness, God, gospel, prodigal son, repentance, synergism, unconditional love
19 Comments
God is the Doer: Providence and Human Freedom in Julian of Norwich
Meditation upon the passion and death of Christ leads Dame Julian into a deeper understanding of God’s creation of the world, which in turn prepares her for the third showing—the presence of God in all: And after this I saw … Continue reading
Posted in Julian of Norwich
Tagged Aquinas, creatio ex nihilo, Denys Turner, divine agency, divine causality, divine creation, providence, synergism
13 Comments
St John of Damascus on the Providence of God
“God is both Creator and Provider,” writes St John of Damascus, “and is power of creating, sustaining, and providing is his good will. For ‘whatsoever the Lord pleased he hath done, in heaven, and in earth’ [Ps 134:6], and none … Continue reading
Posted in Theology
Tagged evil, free will, God, human freedom, John of Damascus, Nemesius, providence, synergism
18 Comments
Jerry Walls: The Necessity of Purgatory
Purgatory—speak the word and Protestant Christians will quickly shake their heads with disapproval. Here is a doctrine that decisively undermines the good news of God’s gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. The Anglican Articles of Religion describe it as “repugnant … Continue reading
Posted in Book Reviews, Eschatology
Tagged death, grace, heaven, holiness, justification, purgatory, purification, sanctification, synergism
10 Comments
Jerry Walls: Hell is a Hell of a Choice
“Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24). … Continue reading
Posted in Book Reviews, Eschatology
Tagged calvinism, choice model, damnation, free will, hell, Jerry Walls, monergism, synergism
12 Comments
