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Calvinists vs Liberty University?

Discussion in 'Calvinism & Arminianism Debate' started by JonC, Feb 11, 2020.

  1. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I have noticed that there seems to be a strong opinion with some people - to the point that they use having attend Liberty University and/or Liberty Theological Seminary as a sort of insult. I've looked at previous posts by Calvinists and this is at least (what I quickly counted) the 5th time the insult has been posted. I've noticed it with a couple of other Calvinists who have not been active lately as well.

    I know people have strong opinions about seminaries. But what is the justification for Calvinists using the University as an insult?

    Is it appropriate to insult people based on where they obtained their education (or if they obtained a degree at all)?

    My experience is that I attended both the university and the seminary. I graduated with honors (I grasped the materials being taught). I found the university challenging in about the same way Troy State was challenging. It was often what you made of it. It was demanding, some classes more than others.
     
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  2. Particular

    Particular Well-Known Member

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    I don't know anything about Liberty University, other than the Falwell's have run it for decades. I'm not a fan of the push to use politics to change society rather than the gospel. That, of course, has nothing to do with theology...or does it?
    I suspect Liberty leans toward a synergist theology whereby man uses free-will to choose God and then God reacts in saving man because man repents. Is that generally accurate?
     
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  3. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Nope. It is a complete misrepresentation of the so called "synergist" position.
     
  4. Marooncat79

    Marooncat79 Well-Known Member
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    At one time, Senior leaned towards Calvinism is what I read somewhere.
     
  5. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    My experience is that the University leans heavily to dispensationalism. But I had both Calvinists and non-Calvinists as professors. It is affiliated with the SBC (not a SBC seminary but in affiliation) so going in I expected the same diversity.

    What I liked about the seminary is it did not indoctrinate people. It held people to a biblical standard and required you to be able to defend your view via Scripture. I did not even know where the profs were on the Calvinism issue until after the course (and then only a few). They taught Scripture, not their personal views. I think that this critical thinking (within a Christian context) is the greatest benefit of seminary.
     
  6. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    James Renihan, President of ARBCA's 'IRBS Seminary' (Reformed Baptist) is a Liberty alumnus!

    He also studied at some outfit in Montville, New Jersey (a 'Ministerial Academy') but that school's omitted from his faculty bio. I wonder why.

    A newspaper clipping from 1986
    \ renihan2 - Copy.jpg
     
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