Michael Brown on Calvinsim

I really respect Dr Michael Brown. He is a scholar of the first rank and consistently witnesses for Jesus to Jews, Atheists, and to our culture regarding homosexuality and sex ethics. The only thing I have ever heard from him that I can agree with him 100% on is his views of Calvinism and Free will. Below is his video of Dr Brown's explanation of what Romans 9 says.



Here is video where Michael Brown  appeared on Dr Leighton Flowers' podcast. They discussed how they both disagree with Calvinism. They both seem to reject that the scriptures teach that all humans are so utterly captivated by sin that we are unable to choose to give Jesus our lives on our own by our free will. They also said that we need to be free to choose or reject Jesus or it really isn't about God's love. While they did talk about scriptures and tried to explain why they support their views and do not support Calvinism, they did not convince me. Jesus said that no one is able to come to him unless the father draws (the Greek word actually mean "dragged") him or her. See John 6:44. Check out their discussion below.




I see the underlying issue comes from trying to answer the question about what why some people reject Christ after they hear the Gospel while some people accept it. All Christians are fine with agreeing that when a person gives their lives to Christ, their sins are propitiated and they are going to heaven and they have true peace and relationship with God. We receive eternal life in the future and a full life and relationship with God in the here and now. Although we all who are born in sin and shaped in iniquity, some turn to Jesus and some say no. Why? Is there something different in the man or woman who understands and accepts what Jesus did from the people who don't. Calvinists and Anti-Calvinists answer these questions differently. Given what Jesus said when Peter wanted to know what would happen to John after Jesus told Peter what he was supposed to do. Maybe we should follow that.

²⁰ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) ²¹ When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
²² Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” ²³ Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” - John 21:20-23

Dr Brown did debate his friend and well-known Calvinist, Dr James White.