Talk:S. Lewis Johnson

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Can of worms?

I don't know anything about Mr. Johnson, but at the risk of getting someone angry: Can one really be dispensational and Calvinist in theology at the same time? I'd argue that one can be dispensational in theology and Calvinist in soteriology at the same time.--Bernardo Mora 10:18, 18 June 2007 (UTC)

I think that "Calvinist" has its most important application to soteriology. The article states that he is a five-point Calvinist, which is a technical term specifically referring to soteriology. Admittedly, "Calvinist" is often used in a broader sense to refer to, say, the New England Puritans who floated away from Anglicanism and became more deeply influenced by John Calvin's theology after immigrating to the New World. The fact that Calvinism does not merely refer to the teachings of Calvin is attested by the fact that one of the five points of Calvinism, "limited atonement", does not seem to be explicitly taught by Calvin--this is not to say that he would have disagreed with it; possibly Calvin did not foresee the controversy that would later arise about such an obvious point. Really, I think that a general redemptionist must be either a universalist or a particularist in disguise--more likely the latter if he truly affirms the vicarious nature of the atonement. --Alex Woehr 14:16, 18 June 2007 (UTC)

No ruffled feathers here. I made a change in the article introduction to say soteriology rather than theology in reference to his Calvinism. In retrospect, I think it is the more appropriate way of stating his position. Admittedly, the fact that there are dispensationalists (ala John MacArthur) who claim to be Calvinists as did Dr. Johnson may indeed appear to be somewhat oxymoronic to the more truly Reformed. But that is beyond the scope of this biographical sketch. :-) Thanks, men. Jim Ellis 16:05, 18 June 2007 (UTC)

There is no conflict with being a Calvinist in soteriology and a dispensationalist in eschatology. I knew Dr. Johnson personally and he said that he used "Calvinist" as a short-form for one who believes in the sovereignty of God in salvation. Reformed teaching, as I understand it, is broader than its soteriology and encompasses "Coventant" or "Replacement" eschatology in that all promises to the literal nation of Israel are subsumed and transferred to the church. Dr. Johnson believed strongly in the concept of "one people of God" but he also understood two distinct paths for the church and Israel. Hope that this helps. [[User:Robert Promm|Robert Promm]