African Plume

“I’m a Christian. I Don ’ t Subscribe to Theological Tribalism” By Akin Ojumu In Part I, I explained why I affirm Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, and Limited Atonement (aka Particular Redemption) of the Reformed Christianity. It’s not because John Calvin said so. You can be sure it’s not because Reformed theologians formed a committee. And it’s most definitely not because some Seventeenth-Century Synod voted and Heaven issued a press release. I affirm them because I am persuaded Scripture teaches them. In this installment of the commentary series, we will review the final two points of the TULIP doctrines. I — IRRESISTIBLE GRACE Few theological labels are misunderstood more spectacularly than this one. Mention Irresistible Grace and some people immediately imagine God dragging terrified sinners into Heaven against their will, kicking, screaming, clawing the floor, pleading, “Please, Lord! Let me go to hell!” That is not the doctrine. Irresistible Grace means that when God effe...

“Why I Affirm the Five Doctrines Without Making Calvin My Creed” By Akin Ojumu Yesterday ’ s commentary, “God or Satan? The False Contradiction in David’s Census,” answered one of two questions sent to me by a reader of the African Plume blog and YouTube channel. The other question was this:  Do you subscribe to TULIP?  In other words: Are you a Calvinist? My answer is simple. Yes. And also: Not quite. If the question is whether I believe the five doctrines commonly summarized by the acronym TULIP, then yes, I do. If the question is whether John Calvin is my theological Pope, whether the Synod of Dort is my Vatican, whether Westminster is my Jerusalem, or whether Geneva is my Mecca, then absolutely not. I am a Christian. That is the label that matters.  My allegiance is not to Calvin. It is not to Arminius (founder of Arminianism). It is not to Dort. It is not to Westminster. And it is certainly not to a botanical acronym invented long after the Apostles of Christ were d...

“2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Chronicles 21:1, and the Sovereignty of God” By Akin Ojumu Recently, I received an email from someone who had visited the African Plume blog and YouTube channel. The person wrote: “Nice to come across your YouTube channel (and blog before this). Let me know if you subscribe to TULIP (Calvinism). Also, let me know how you view 2 Sam. 24:1 and 1 Chron. 21:1.” This commentary answers his second question. And it is a good question. Because these two passages have sent more than a few people racing breathlessly toward the nearest microphone screaming: CONTRADICTION! CONTRADICTION!! Samuel says God incited David. Chronicles says Satan incited David. Case closed. Bible demolished. Christianity finished. Everybody go home. Except there is one small problem. There is no contradiction. What we have instead is something considerably more demanding than the bumper-sticker theology required to shout “Gotcha!” We have biblical providence. THE TWO TEXTS. 2 Samuel 24:1 “Again the ang...

“The Spiritual Elite Problem” By Akin Ojumu The problem with Arome Osayi’s statements is larger than a claim about stopping the rain. It is larger than a claim about making asthma go away. Behind both assertions lies a particular conception of spiritual power—one in which extraordinary abilities may become the possessions of unusually faithful ministers. And once that idea takes root, Christianity quickly becomes divided between ordinary believers who must ask God and spiritual elites who supposedly possess power. “IF YOU KEEP HIS LAWS” Osayi says: “There are some things he will give you…if it’s true you will keep his laws.” Christians must obey God. There is no dispute there. Jesus says: John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Holiness matters. Faithfulness matters. Obedience matters. But spiritual gifts are called gifts precisely because they arise from grace rather than spiritual achievement. The Greek word charisma is related to charis—grace. Paul does not tell ...