Tags
Calvinism, Free Will, Jesus, John Piper, Nicodemus, Regeneration
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” -John 3.8
Awhile back I did a series called “Calvinism Really is the Gospel!” where I argued in favor of Charles Spurgeon’s famous quote. A few weeks ago John Piper did the same thing, though not nearly as explicitly as I attempted here.
What went on was simply Dr. Piper’s walk-through the Gospel of John eventually leading him to the passage at the beginning of chapter 3 where Nicodemus comes under cover of night to question Jesus. I response to Nicodemus Jesus makes several cryptic/philosophical remarks about the wind and being born which Bible readers have fought to accurately understand ever since Nicodemus heard them the first time. So, as a faithful minister of the Word, John Piper went to work and unpacked the glorious theology behind these statements. In the process of doing so Piper gave Scriptural arguments for at least 4 of the 5 points of Calvinism (he may or may not have covered Perseverance), however at no point did he argue for “Calvinism.” He just tackled what was there with the logical conclusion being a reformed soteriology. He even at points grappled with the non-Calvinist arguments, successful putting them to rest (at least as far as I’m concerned).
The thing which impressed me the most was Piper’s even-handed yet direct rebuke of the non-Calvinist’s desire to be the final determining actor in his own salvation. Whenever I talk to my non-Calvinist friends (I use that term loosely . . . j/k!) this is what the argument always boils down to. They even admit it sometime, saying things like, “At the end of the day I just have to believe that man has the freedom to choose God or not.” I really want to put this message in their hands and see how they respond!
Please take the time to listen to it (I have posted it below). Honestly this is one of the best sermons I have ever heard Piper deliver, and probably the best argument for Calvinism as plain biblical theology you will ever find. Glory be to God!