Look at the Book is John Piper’s latest effort to help teach you to read the Bible for yourself. It’s an ongoing series of 8–12 minute videos in which the camera is on the text, not the teacher. As part of this new initiative, Desiring God is catalyzing regional events focused on certain passages of Scripture. Below, you can find all four sessions from our Look at the Book weekend on Romans 9.
Session 1: Has the Word of God Failed? (Romans 9:1–5)
The Word of God Has Not Failed // Session 1 from Desiring God on Vimeo.
Session 2: God’s Good Purpose in Election (Romans 9:6–13)
The Word of God Has Not Failed // Session 2 from Desiring God on Vimeo.
Session 3: God Has Mercy on Whomever He Wills (Romans 9:14–18)
The Word of God Has Not Failed // Session 3 from Desiring God on Vimeo.
Session 4: My Heart’s Prayer to God for You (Romans 9:19–10:4)
The Word of God Has Not Failed // Session 4 from Desiring God on Vimeo.
Speaking of Romans 9 I just watched the youtube of the debate between Prof. Leighton Flowers, and Dr. James R. White.
I disagree with comments I’ve heard that the debate was a waste of time. It’s true that LF did not present specifically an exegesis of Romans 9 as was agreed before hand. He instead presented his general argument against Calvinism, and his own picture of God in salvation and his own definition of election as it used in the bible. Personally I think it was good that LF finally put his theology out in a clear and succinct manner. He was well prepared and cut out the normal double talk and meta dialogs that I’m used to trying to follow with him on youtube postings that I’ve watched in the past (I commented about this on the youtube page).
I disagree with James White with regard to the value of the debate since LF was somewhat off topic. I think JW did an excellent job of defending a ‘proper view’ of Calvinism as opposed to the straw man that LF presented, and I would refer to the example of Judicial hardening vs. Mans fallen nature due to sin, and his rebellion and rejection of God as a result. JW explained that they are NOT the same thing, and briefly covered the differences. LF himself actually conflates the two concepts, and then extends his conflation to the minds of Calvinists assuming they make the same error that he does.
I did appreciate the debate. I know JW was not satisfied, but I feel that JW did an excellent job of pointing out the error in LF’s presuppositions on which he builds his Arminian view.
I appreciated the comments from both men right near the end where they both spoke of the need to discuss these things in the church and not sweep them under the table. The reality is that these questions are on people’s minds and we really need to try and understand what the bible says about these things.