Continue reading »]]> John Frame writes the following:

“It is a bit surprising that the name of Moise Amyraut (Latin form Amyraldus; hence “Amyraldianism”) is not better known in a time such as ours when so many evangelical Christians want to be known as “four point Calvinists.” Many, indeed, in our time seem to want to say (a) that Christ atoned in some sense for the sins of every human being, (b) that nevertheless all men are not saved, and (c) that in the final analysis it is God, not man, who determines what persons shall be saved and which ones lost. But making these propositions work together in a Scripturally and logically cogent way is a task requiring considerable subtlety of mind, and no one, to my knowledge, has ever done it better than Amyraut. Further, Amyraut wove these propositions into the context of a rather distinctive theological approach—a method, emphasis, and style significantly different from those of other theologians of his time (1596–1664). I suspect that the appeal of “four point Calvinism” even today can be best understood by reference to Amyraut’s general theological mentality—a mentality shared to some extent by many today who know little of Amyraut. Thus, both proponents and critics of the “four point” position can benefit from a study of Amyraut’s theology and approach to theology”

It’s been quite interesting to do a little bit of reading about Amyraldianism over the last couple of weeks.  Here’s a few things I’ve discovered:

1. There are different streams of “Hypothetical Universalism” in 17th century thought (Cameron, Testard, Amyrald).
2. Francis Turretin, who famously opposed them, saw them as “our ministers” and thus not outside of Reformed orthodoxy like Roman Catholicism or Arminianism.
3. It is a form of Covenant Theology.
4. It utilises separate Antecedant & Consequent wills, rather than Calvin’s one will, with 2 aspects: Secret/Revealed.  That is, a scholastic distinction between separate wills or decrees.  Amyraut sees a hypothetical universal decree to save all upon the condition of faith, and an absolute decree to grant faith.  The former is antecedant to the decree of Christ’s death.  The latter is consequent to it.  Calvin on the other hand saw that God’s will was simple and one.  And yet it had two aspects: the Secret aspect pertaining to God’s chosen individuals, and the Revealed aspect pertaining to the universal Gospel call.

Basically, Amyraldianism has to do with a re-ordering of the divine decrees, and the insertion of a hypothetically universal decree of salvation.  Let me explain:

In Eternity, there is an antecedent hypothetical decree for the universal salvation of all on condition of their faith.  Logically next, Christ is decreed to die with that intention.  But, logically next – God, foreseeing that nobody would be saved due to total depravity created a consequent decree to grant faith to a particular number.  Do you see how the granting of faith in the consequent will fulfills the condition of the antecedent will?  That’s the logic of Amyraldianism.  I think it’s quite brilliant, actually.

Amyraldus (according to Mark Thompson, the Latinised versions of names were in vogue back then!) wrote the following in his Brief Traitte. See how it pertains to the antecedent decree:

“The sacrifice that He has offered for the propitiation of their offenses has been equally for all.  And the salvation that He has received from His Father in order to communicate it to men in the sanctification of the spirit and the glorification of the body is destined equally to all, provided, I say, that the disposition necessary in order to receive it is also equally present.”

I’ll post up some of my thoughts on this position soon, but for now – I think it’s at least interesting that Turretin considered Amyraldians “our ministers.”  This ought to ease at least some of the tensions between those who hold to Particular Redemption and those who hold to Amyraldianism.

Continue reading »]]> Well there! Here’s another cracking episode of the Pilgrim’s Podcast to begin the year twentyten with!

In this episode we head out to the studios of Anglican Media Sydney and interview Jeremy Halcrow.  He’s a great bloke who is a veteran Christian journalist, a former media relations consultant and the current editor of Southern Cross Newspaper.

In this fascinating chat we really try to grapple with how technology and journalism intersect with Christianity.  With discuss the great opportunities and the risks involved in doing these things.  We also discuss the funding cutback in the Sydney Diocese, how to get involved in internet-related Gospel opportunities, great websites to check out, and Craigs top 5 blogs!

Great episode, great bloke, and of course, good banter.

Listen:

Continue reading »]]> Well here we have it! We interview the fabulous Katie Haggar from MTC.  Kate’s a legend.  Works at St. Augustine’s Neutral Bay, comes from Glenmore Park, loves talking about Youth Ministry – and … doesn’t know what boat shoes are!

We talk about what things youth need to know about life, what cultural stereotypes we have in Sydney, Mark and Steve try to compete to see who gets to work with Kate in the future, and Kate tells us why she decided to work for the Anglican church in Sydney.  Seriously, this is probably the most encouraging interview yet.

If you’ve got questions, or want to get in touch with Kate, check out her blog!

Listen:

Continue reading »]]> Well, apologies for the delay in getting the Podcast up! Steve and I had to get around those pesky exams, and Justin is a busy guy!  But here it is (it’s our shortest ever Podcast!):

We had a great time.  We got together on the premises of St. Phillip’s York Street, Sydney and had a good old yarn.  Justin is a fantastic guy and a faithful servant of Jesus Christ.  We talked about his upbringing in Perth and Sydney, his ministry in Christ Church NYC, his ministry at St. Phillip’s York Street, and what sorts of exciting things he has planned for the North of the City CBD!

Especially interesting are his insights into younger evangelicals he learnt in Manhattan.  Also, he outlines some of the new ideas to reach people in the city, and of course we have a great time of banter and shnouncements!

Links:

St Phillip’s York Street
Christ Church NYC

Listen:

Continue reading »]]>

A bunch of bloggers in Sydney got together for dinner tonight at the Nag’s Head Hotel in Glebe.  It was a great time.  Good banter, good fellowship and especially great to meet in person those who we’ve had cyber-contact with!

Justin organised it, and it was great to meet him and share a few laughs.  A great guy who is thinking and working passionately to see people come to love Jesus in Sydney.  Doug and I rocked up together and met a bunch of lovely people: Michael Canaris who posts regularly on his blog and on Sydney Anglicans, Karen who’s got a great blog (with a great name!), Georgina who’s a friend of Doug’s from Wildside days, and Craig Schwarze who’s got a cracking blog and who writes a column on Sydney Anglicans.

We chatted about many things – from blogs (could we avoid it?) to Moore college, to St. Phillip’s York Street, to Boxing and UFC!

Thanks for a great time guys – look forward to doing it again!