Wow – that was really good. I think you could argue for aspects of nominalism in terms of a philosophy that influenced Lutheran theology though. If everything is radically individual, then we can’t figure God out through analogy by natural theology or reason. As a result, the revelation has to stand as is.
I think I’ve become a Worldview Everlasting fan.

Bethany Kilcrease

Several interesting comparisons between Lutheranism and Calvinism are made as TULIP is discussed in this Issues, Etc. interview with a pastor of a Reformed congregation: http://issuesetc.org/podcast/156020309H1p.mp3 .

“Don’t take it with a grain of salt, take it and eat it.”

I love it.

I think Pastor Fisk should cut down to one video/week. I sure wouldn’t want him to burn out.

-Nathan

I was wondering about the comments made regarding how Calvinism is merely a reflection of the philosophical temper of the times. Is it not possible that Lutheranism reflects a more medieval way of thinking, i.e. being somewhat influenced by scholasticism? I’d be hesitant to say that any religious movement can be perfectly aligned with scripture seeing as man is entirely depraved. Since we are all depraved, must not we all regard with a reasonable amount of caution even Luther’s view, seeing as he was depraved as were we?

Although Fisk’s charge of Calvinism relying on reason is a fair charge for many strands of Calvinism, it is not a fair charge for other strands. For example, I wonder if Fisk is familiar with the work of Cornelius Van Til, and the work of Alvin Plantinga. Especially Van Til was very comfortable with paradox, and thrived on it–even being criticized by other Calvinists heavily for it. Van Til was especially critical of Thomism and natural theology and the reliance on reason.