"Calminian" Good, "Biblicist" Better by Peter Lumpkins

Arminian theologian, Roger Olson, insists there is no such animal as a "Calminian". In fact, he unequiovocally states the "Impossibility of Calminianism."  He writes >>>

Nevertheless, in spite of the stark contrast between Calvinism and Arminianism on certain fundamental points of doctrine, many people try to force them into a hybrid: Calminianism. Classical Calvinists and classical Arminians agree that this is not possible... . On several crucial issues related to soteriology, then, no middle ground or hybrid between Calvinism and Arminianism is logically possible. Calminianism can only be held in defiance of reason; ultimately every Calminianism turns out either to be a disguised form of Calvinism or Arminianism, or it slides inexorably into one or the other¹

Well, New Testament scholar, Craig Blomberg, apparently didn't get Olson's memo about the impossible position he's taking--or, should I say, attempting to take since Olson ruled it impossible for anyone one to actually take the Calminian position which Blomberg claims he's taking².

Anyway, Blomberg writes,

If either pure five-point Calvinism or its consistent repudiation in pure Arminianism were completely faithful to Scripture, it is doubtful that so many Bible-believing, godly evangelical Christians would have wound up on each side. The former wants to preserve the Scriptural emphasis on divine sovereignty; the latter, on human freedom and responsibility. Both are right in what they want and correct to observe in Scripture the theme that they stress... When one discovers a position that Alvin Plantinga and William Lane Craig, two of the world’s leading evangelical philosophers, both endorse, even though the former is Calvinist and the latter is Arminian, it is worth taking a closer look. The position is often called middle knowledge.... . It is what some have called Calminianism. So in this month of honoring one great Reformer, let’s not forget his counterpart a generation afterwards. I give thanks to God for Cal but want also to be one of Jacob’s minions, which, I guess, adds up to Calminianism! (//link)

While Calminian is perhaps a good moniker, a better one still is biblicist. I know that drives both Calvinists and Arminians mad and crazy. But then again, at least it's not impossible. But even if it was, I'm afraid, chances are, Olson would probably reject that too. 

With that, I am...

Peter

READ CRAIG BLOMBERG'S ENTIRE POST ENTITLED "Why I'm a "Calminian"

¹Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities, pp. 67, 76-77

²one is reminded of the old saying that though science insists it's impossible for the bumble bee to fly, he keeps right on buzzing around just the same 

Comments

[Bob Hadley]

Hey Brother,

I am growing more fond of Conversionism and Transformed Theology and now looking at the Doctrines of the Gospel as the title to a new tulip! Having fun with the thought process.

Keep up the great work.

Grateful to be in His Grip!

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