"T.U.L.I.P.": Now Known Universally, Recently Not Known at All by Peter Lumpkins

    Arminian theologian, Roger Olson, has an interesting teaser on a forthcoming book by Kenneth Stewart to be published by InterVarsity Press in March. Stewart, professor of theology at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, GA, entitles the volume Ten Myths about Calvinism: Recovering the Breadth of the Reformed Tradition>>>

One nugget Dr. Olson mentions sparkled brightly before my eyes. Says Olson,

One of the most interesting parts of the book (so far) is an exhaustive account of the history of the TULIP device.  According to Stewart it cannot be found before about 1913 and Reformed theologian Lorraine Boettner (The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination) popularized it.  Unfortunately, Stewart argues, it has become the canon of authentic Reformed orthodoxy among many of today’s Calvinists.

Interesting.  

The non-negotiable union card for the "truly Reformed" was apparently invented (or at least popularized) by a 20th century theologian less than a century ago.

Consider.

Pentecostals are often derided for tongues going only to the 18th century under Edward Irving while Dispensationalists similarly are ridiculed for their origins in J.N Darby (or the Scofield Bible) during a similar timeline. Come to find out, the "Reformed" and their impregnable, non-negotiable T.U.L.I.P. apparently comes chronologically later than critics allege for either Charismatics or Dispensationalists.

From West Georgia, we call that a hoot.

With that, I am...

Peter

*Olson's entire piece is worth the read

Comments

[Ian D. Elsasser]

Dr. Stewart and Tony:

I am disappointed that your discussions will be offline, for I would love to read and share in the interaction. I think it truly beneficial for all to see the alternative perspectives under the Calvinistic umbrella. Too often only one perspective is presented as true and all others judged invalid or inconsistent.

Would you reconsider and continue the discussion online?

[peter lumpkins]

Debbie,

I am not going to continue allowing you to antagonize commenters on this thread. Enough is enough. For the life of me, I do not understand. Not only has Tony been patient with you, but you had the opportunity to dialog with at least two accomplished scholars--Drs. Owen and Stewart--both of whom are squarely with mainstream Reformed theology. What do you do? You attempt to argue with them rather than learn from them. And, you even questioned whether Dr. Stewart was a real Calvinist. Is there any wonder Dr. Stewart would want to take the discussion off-line? A discussion that may have benefited all of us?

Here's what I am suggesting: I suggest you back away and do not log back on here again until you can deliver the respect due.

With that, I am...
Peter

[Bobby Grow]

We have a book coming out that will be highlighting one the strains of Calvinism that developed in Scotland contemporaneous with English Puritanism. It is non-Federal, but certainly Calvinist! http://tftorrance.wordpress.com/ec-book/

That's not to mention The Spiritual Brethren that developed amongst the Intellectual Fathers in English Puritan development. This stuff has been out there for years, but has been poo-pooed by the "post-Reformed orthodox" for years. See Janice Knight's: Orthodoxies in Massachusetts: Rereading American Puritanism. And I just heard an excellent paper on John Eaton at the Pac NW regional ETS meeting that supports Knight's contention.