Question:  Dear Greg,

            How do your beliefs differ from the orthodox Reformation theology of John Calvin?

            Hannah

Answer:  Dear Hannah,

            Huge question—of course I do not have the time to definitively detail how the teachings of PTM differ from the Reformation theology of John Calvin.  Here are a few thoughts: 

1.      While the teachings of John Calvin are considered orthodox, and Calvin was a reformer, his is not the only theology and teaching that is considered orthodox today.  Calvin, of course, was not the only reformer.  Therefore, failure to agree with John Calvin does not necessarily mean that only Calvin is biblically orthodox, and the person who is not aligned with him and his teachings is not.

2.      As you already probably know, PTM positions are generally more informed by Arminian thought than they are by Calvin.  The position we take at PTM is that Christians do not need to adopt either view in order to be saved, or in order to be “true”, or in order to be “better”.  Unfortunately this debate seems to lead to such conclusions on the part of some.  PTM rejects such conclusions, for we are saved only by God’s grace.  To God goes the glory.

3.      We do believe that the book by Norman Geisler “Chosen but Free” is a fair treatment of the issues involved.  Of course we do not believe the book to be Holy Scripture, or even humanly perfect, but it is a good-faith attempt to deal with the issues, in our opinion.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht