1 Corinthians 1:18-30 on a Tie!

Dr. James White is scheduled to debate Atheist Dan Barker at the end of April. This will be a great one. To commemorate his debates, Dr. White often creates neck ties with scripture written on it. Of course the scriptures are not in English but often in Greek if its from the New Testament. This particular tie has the text from 1 Corinthians 1:18-30 in Greek in uncial font. "Uncial" means that the text is written in all capital letters. On the left is a picture of the tie. I wish I could get one one day. I know, I know. I don't read Greek, but I would like to learn.Click on the link to see the whole tie better. Here is the text (from the NIV).

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Was Anyone Saved at the Cross?

Dr. James White has written a blog post where he posts a link to a previous article he wrote defending the reformed understanding of Jesus' atonement for our sins when he went to the cross. You can read the post called: Was Anyone Saved at the Cross?

I really like this article. Dr. White wrote that at one point that he was a "Four-Point" Calvinist. He struggled with the concept of the "Limited Atonement" just as I do. He talks about how he had come to accept all five points of Calvinism. As always he offers solid explanation of Bible verses. One Bible verse that I wish he had expounded on is 1 Timothy 4:9-11 which says:

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things.

This was one of the scriptures that those who argue against Calvinism use. I have not heard the reformed interpretation of this particular scripture. I think I'll call in to James White's web cast one day to ask.