# Neo Calvinism vs. The Bible 002. Second Peter ## Neo-Calvinism and Baptism - The speaker explains that neo-[[Reformed Christianity | Calvinism]] is calling into question long-held [[Christianity | Christian]] practices, such as baptizing children who are able to articulate their faith. [(00:06:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=415s) - The speaker clarifies that this does not refer to infant baptism, as they believe baptism should follow a verbal profession of faith in [[Jesus | Jesus Christ]]. [(00:07:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=420s) ## Neo-Calvinism and Salvation - The concept of "TULIP" in Calvinism suggests a strong connection between salvation and a consistently faithful lifestyle, leaving little room for backsliding or lapses in belief. [(00:07:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=479s) - [[John MacArthur (American pastor) | John MacArthur]], a proponent of Calvinism, argues against baptizing children due to the belief that observing their lifelong faith is necessary to determine true salvation, aligning with the concept of the perseverance of the Saints. [(00:12:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=736s) - A contrasting perspective suggests that individuals who abandon their faith later in life might be experiencing a period of backsliding or carnality, rather than being considered never genuinely saved. [(00:13:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=802s) ## Neo-Calvinism and Children's Faith - Justin Peters argues that the nature of children and salvation require careful consideration before baptizing children who have only an intellectual understanding of the gospel. [(00:15:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=916s) - The speaker states that they would baptize a child of any age, such as five, six, or eight years old, as long as they can express their belief in [[Jesus]]. [(00:07:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=455s) ## Neo-Calvinism and Prophecy - The speaker observes that Neo-Calvinist churches often avoid discussing biblical prophecy, similar to John Calvin's views. [(00:17:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=1068s) - The speaker suggests that Neo-[[Reformed Christianity | Calvinism]] challenges traditional [[Christianity | Christian]] practices like baptizing children. [(00:16:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=986s) ## Martin Luther and the Bible - [[Martin Luther]], while instrumental in the Protestant Reformation, questioned the apostolic and prophetic nature of the [[Book of Revelation]], comparing it to the non-canonical Fourth Book of Ezra. [(00:20:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=1213s) - Martin Luther moved the book of James to the appendix of his [[German language | German]] translation of the [[Bible]] because he believed it contradicted his beliefs about salvation by faith alone. [(00:21:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=1308s) - Martin Luther also moved the book of [[Revelation]] to the appendix of his German translation of the Bible because he did not believe it accurately portrayed [[Jesus]]. [(00:23:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=1399s) ## John Calvin and the Bible - [[John Calvin]], like Martin Luther, is considered to be highly influential in Neo-Calvinist circles, but, according to Dr. Roy Zook, did not focus heavily on the Bible’s prophetic books. [(00:26:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=1599s) - John Calvin wrote commentaries on every book of the Bible except for fourteen [[Old Testament]] books and three [[New Testament]] books, including the book of Revelation. [(00:29:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=1751s) ## Mark Dever and Christian Unity - [[Mark Dever]] believes that differing views on the millennium should not divide [[Christianity | Christians]]. [(00:31:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=1867s) - Dever believes that it is a sin to divide the body of Christ, and that Christians should not have to agree on secondary issues, such as views on alcohol, schooling, meat sacrificed to idols, or the millennium. [(00:33:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=2031s) - Mark Dever believes that requiring a particular millennial view in a statement of faith is unnecessary for Christian unity in a local church. [(00:36:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=2183s) ## Prophecy and Eyewitness Testimony - Peter considers prophecy more reliable than eyewitness testimony, even his own experience seeing the transfigured Christ. [(00:39:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=2381s) ## Neo-Calvinism and Social Justice - Justin Peters, a Neo-Calvinist, hopes the [[Social justice | social justice]] movement is a fad, while the speaker believes it is a sign of [[Satan]] establishing his kingdom. [(00:40:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=2425s) - The social justice movement is building the devil's kingdom and will last until the second coming of Christ. [(00:43:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=2620s) ## The Seven Mountains and the Antichrist - [[John Calvin]] misinterpreted the Seven Mountains in [[Revelation]] 17:3. [(00:44:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=2656s) - The Seven Mountains represent seven anti-semitic kingdoms: [[Egypt]], [[Assyria]], Babylon, [[Iran | Persia]], [[Greece]], ancient [[Rome]], and a revived Roman empire that will become the Antichrist's kingdom. [(00:47:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=2838s) ## Martin Luther and the Catholic Church - [[Martin Luther]] believed that the [[Catholic Church | Roman Catholic Church]] was corrupt, pointing to their sale of indulgences as an example. [(00:49:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=2977s) - Luther believed that the "seven mountains" in Revelation 17 referred to the seven hills of Rome and viewed this chapter as a prediction of the Catholic Church. [(00:50:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=3052s) ## John Calvin and the Catholic Church - [[John Calvin]], while acknowledging the existence of churches within Catholicism, argued that the papacy lacked a "true and lawful constitution of the church". [(00:53:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=3220s) - John Calvin interprets the "Babylon" and "[[Antichrist]]" of the [[Bible]] allegorically, applying them to Roman Catholicism rather than their literal exegetical meanings. [(00:55:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=3349s) ## Calvin's Interpretation of the Millennial Kingdom - Calvin interprets [[Isaiah]] 35:1, a passage about the millennial kingdom, as referring to the spiritual reign of Christ that began with the first advent, rather than a future, physical kingdom in [[Israel]]. [(00:56:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=3401s) - Calvin interprets [[Amos 9]]:13, a passage about the restoration of Israel in the last days, as a metaphorical description of the spiritual prosperity of God's people under the reign of Christ, rather than a literal agricultural miracle. [(01:00:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=3652s) ## God's Accommodation and Literal Interpretation - [[God]] is described as accommodating or lying when discussing the concept of an earthly kingdom. [(01:02:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=3776s) - [[John Calvin | Calvin]] is said to use terminology like "accommodated" to explain how God simplifies his message for those who do not understand complex writing. [(01:03:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=3799s) - The speaker believes in a literal interpretation of the [[Bible]] and criticizes those who interpret it figuratively, particularly regarding the concept of a spiritual kingdom. [(01:04:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto&t=3879s) ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF17m6CkKto)