It's time for the Soteriology 101 podcast, where God is most glorified by his love and provision

for all people. Welcome your host, the director of apologetics for Texas Baptists, an adjunct professor

of theology, and a local teaching pastor, Dr. Layton Flowers. Welcome back to Sociology 101. Today I want to respond to the

Founders Ministry, specifically to Tom Askell, who recently wrote this on the Founders blog ministry site,

in response to Eric Hankins, Dr. Eric Hankins, address at the Connect 36 banquet. He writes this. He says, Christians have often

engaged over the exact nature of the biblical doctrine of election. Reasonable believers are

willing to state their arguments for their views while acknowledging that others who disagree

have their own different arguments. Making a case for and listening to critiques of one's views

while showing perceived deficiencies

and opposing views are a great way to strengthen one's understanding of the Word of God.

That's simply the Christian way of engaging brothers who disagree.

Consequently, when a person claims that the reformed idea that God chooses some individuals and not others for salvation has no, I repeat, no biblical support. It's hard to take him seriously.

Gratuitous dismissive assertions have no place in serious theological conversations.

Unfortunately, when a respected person makes such a claim, one may be tempted to take him in his word.

I mean, I hear Tom's point here, but given that Dr. Hankins wasn't having a theological discussion, he was making an

affirmation claim of traditionalism, that we as traditionalists do not believe that there is a strong

biblical support and understanding of the claims that Calvinists make with regard to the text.

Now, obviously, he would contend with that,

and if he was having a debate,

it might be a different way of announcing that.

And so I will be happy to contend with that argument

and even look at the arguments that Tom goes on to make.

...