The Renewal of the Mind

The minds is important, so much so that demonic forces are after it, and Scripture exhorts us to look after and to renew it daily. Pay careful attention to how Non-Calvinists (NC) discuss Soteriology and you’ll notice many biases and assumptions being brought to the Scripture. For example:

1. They assume that the word “all” must mean “everyone without exception” even when context says otherwise. Some will even point to a secular dictionary! See here > Many, All, World: What Does It Mean?

2. They assume that God can’t and won’t command people to do things they’re unable to do. See here > Does God Command the Impossible?

3. They assume that the Elect need not do anything, and it’s pointless for Calvinists to evangelize the lost. See here > Election is not Salvation and here > God Uses Means

One of the purposes of this blog is to help you to renew your mind so that you can start thinking biblically.

“Traditions, everyone has them and those most blinded to them are those who do not believe they have any.” —James White

First, let me say that no one comes to the Scripture without bias(es), tradition(s) or influence of any kind. A philosophical student (for an example) will no doubt view the Scripture through a philosophical lens. This is because people don’t automatically become free of influence and start thinking biblically the moment they become Christians. The renewal of the mind is a daily process, and everyone of us must check our theological system for inconsistencies and theological discourses can be a means to that end. The Pharisees and Sadducees were not exempt from tradition(s) or influence, and neither was Paul. Paul spent three years alone with the Lord, receiving guidance and reevaluating or unlearning certain aspects of his faith (Galatians 1:17). This is because “at one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!” (2 Corinthians 5:16 NLT).

We’re all deceiving ourselves if we believe that we have no tradition or external influence when we come to the Scripture. They say recognizing and admitting that you have a problem is the first step towards getting the help you need. This is also true when it comes to theological studies and biblical interpretations. The sooner we acknowledge that our flesh is the issue and an obstacle, the better it will be for us, and you as an individual. Sometimes what makes theological discourses impossible is that some of us don’t believe that the flesh is an obstacle nor a problem to be dealt with—I’ll discuss more on this in a future post on the flesh being an obstacle—with such people, how true is this passage:

6 For among them are those who enter into households and take captive weak women weighed down with sins, being led on by various desires, 7 always learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth.
—2 Timothy 3:6-7, LSB

Ever learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth. But why is that? Verse 6… sins and led on by various desires…

Whether you’re a rabid Anti-Calvinist or just someone on the fence, I urge you to examine your own thinking, presuppositions and the sins in your life. Theological discourse can be difficult because we’re all at different stages of understanding and maturity. Very often we’re not on the same page. There was a time I smirked at those teaching Limited Atonement, and here I am today fully embracing it.

Aim not to defeat your opponents, Calvinists in this case, but aim to defeat yourself, because the ones standing in the way aren’t Calvinists, but your flesh. Many desire to be biblical but are not thinking biblically. See here: