10 Questions: Greg Gilbert 7 / Q & A: Thomas Nettles 15 / Greg Forster: Joy of Calvinism 10 CredoVol. 2, Issue 3 - May 2012 Chosen by Grace 20 TIMOTHY GEORGE: Luther vs. Erasmus 27 PAUL HELM: Calvin vs. Bolsec 36 MATTHEW BARRETT: Unconditional Election 46 BRUCE WARE: Suffering and the Elect 55 FRED ZASPEL: Warfield and Predestination Timothy Paul Jones | KY Director of the Doctor of Education program We are Serious about the Gospel he Southern Seminary Doctor Our Ed.D. will provide a practical yet of Education degree will equip theologically-grounded curriculum that you to serve as a leader in can be completed in 30-months from Christian educational institutions or in anywhere. For more information see the educational ministries of the church. www.sbts.edu/edd Visit us at sbts.edu INTRODUCING the Reformation Commentary on Scripture from InterVarsity Press “ e Reformation Commentary on Scripture is a major publishing event—for those with historical interest in the founding convictions of Protestantism, but even more for those who care about understanding the Bible.” —Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame Ezekiel, Daniel Edited by Carl L. Beckwith Discover fi rsthand the Reformers’ also available innovative readings of the Old Testament prophets Ezekiel and Daniel. Familiar passages like Ezekiel’s vision of the wheels or Galatians, Daniel’s four beasts are revital- Ephesians ized as they take the stage at this Edited by Gerald L. Bray pivotal moment in history. 978-0-8308-2973-6, $50.00 978-0-8308-2962-0, $50.00 scan here for a video introduction to the rcs! For information on how you can subscribe to the Reformation Commentary on Scripture and be the fi rst to receive new volumes, visit ivpress.com/rcsad. Credo ad RCS Ezekiel #8441 1 2/24/12 9:30:17 AM Contents Feature Articles Let God Be God 20Martin Luther on Predestination by Timothy George Calvin’s First Controversy 27Over Predestination by Paul Helm Chosen by Grace Alone 36 by Matthew Barrett Suffering for the Gospel 46 and the Certainty of the Salvation of the Elect Reflections on 2 Timothy 2:8-10 by Bruce A. Ware The Solution to All 55Earthly Troubles B. B. Warfield on Divine Predestination and Providence by Fred Zaspel 10 Questions 7 with Greg Gilbert Ink that Speaks 15 The Centrality of the Doctrines of Grace An interview with Thomas Nettles The Reformed Pastor 10 Calvinism and the Joy of God by Greg Forster First Principles 74 My Pastor Used the “C” Word! by Matthew Claridge 4 | Credo Magazine | May 2012 Contents contents... Editorial 65 Clouds of Witnesses 6 Chosen by Grace by Mark Noll and Carolyn Nystrom by Matthew Barrett reviewed by Betsy Childs Connecting Past and Present 66 Putting Amazing Back Into Grace 60 Patrick Hues Mell: Pastor-Theologian of Grace by Michael Horton by Jeff Robinson reviewed by Lucas Bradburn In Every Issue 67 Karl Barth and American Evangelicalism 12 From the Horse’s Mouth Ed. by Bruce L. McCormack and “What Book on Election Would Clifford B. Anderson You Recommend and Why?” reviewed by Tyler Wittman Thomas Schreiner, Ben Witherington III, Graham Cole, and David Murray 69 The Biblical Counseling Movement After Adams 19 From a Scale of 1 to 10 by Heath Lambert “How Important are the Doctrines of reviewed by Michael Nelson Grace for Healthy Local Church Ministry?” Joel Beeke, Steven Lawson, 71 The Return of Christ: Sandy Grant, and Joe Thorn A Premillennial Perspective Ed. by David L. Allen and Steve W. Lemke 5 Minutes reviewed by Brent E. Parker 34 with R. Scott Clark 73 A Week in the Life of Corinth In Review By Ben Witherington, III 63 For Calvinism; Against Calvinism reviewed by Michael A.G. Haykin by Michael Horton; Roger Olson reviewed by David Schrock www.credomag.com | 5 Chosen by Grace Credo he biblical doctrine of election is offensive. It collides with our demand for human autono- Magazine my. It removes our will from the throne. And it exposes our nakedness, revealing us to be Executive Editor the sinners that we truly are, undeserving of Matthew Barrett divine grace and mercy. Staff Editors But when our eyes are opened to its glory, Lucas Bradburn we begin to see that the doctrine of election Chris Cooper leads us to worship, praise, and give thanks Timothy Raymond to our Sovereign Lord. We recognize that we, as sinners, deserve nothing less Matthew Claridge thanT eternal condemnation. And yet, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Ivan Messa Christ has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world! In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, not on the basis of Design Director anything we have done, but purely according to the purpose of his will (Eph Elizabeth Barrett 1:3-5). It is this doctrine of election that Paul says is to lead us to praise the glorious grace of God (Eph 1:6). Therefore, the title of this May’s issue of Editorial Council Credo Magazine is “Chosen by Grace.” Thomas R. Schreiner Fred Zaspel Timothy George starts us off by taking us into the mind of the colossal re- Ardel B. Caneday former Martin Luther, exploring how he understood the doctrine of predes- tination, particularly in light of his famous debate on the bondage of the will Credo Magazine is a digital with Erasmus. Then, Paul Helm navigates new territory, investigating the magazine published bimonthly. contours of Calvin’s first controversy on predestination with Bolsec. Next, I look at three Pauline passages that support the unconditional nature of elec- Advertising: To advertise in Credo tion, demonstrating that God’s choice is not made on the basis of anything Magazine email matthewbarrett@ within the sinner, including faith. Bruce Ware follows with a piercing article credomag.com on the relationship between election and suffering, showing that suffering is a means ordained by God to spread the gospel for the salvation of his elect. Credo Magazine grants permission And finally, Fred Zaspel concludes by introducing us to B. B. Warfield’s -un for any original article to be quoted derstanding of predestination and providence, and the relationship between provided Credo Magazine is the two. indicated to be the source. For use of an entire article permission must Matthew Barrett be granted. Please contact Executive Editor [email protected]. Cover photo: Benson Kua 6 | Credo Magazine | May 2012 Contents 10 Questions Pastor and author Greg Gilbert discusses the gospel, American politics, and expositional preaching. ave you always various images and poems that and you’ll have a much better time wanted to be a aren’t really going anywhere or studying and teaching them because pastor? Was there doing anything as a whole. It’s you’ll know where you are in the anything else you like a bowl of judgment spaghetti “argument” or “story” of the book. considered doing? with a few Messianic meatballs Second, look for the Messiah! He’s thrown in here and there! But that’s there in every book and in every HNo, growing up I wanted to do lots a wholly inaccurate view of them. passage, sometimes even in places of things—professional baseball, The prophetic books are more like you don’t expect him. If you keep airline pilot, fireman. By the time swords than spaghetti. They have in mind the whole story of the Bible I left for college, I had settled on and how it all moves like a river law and politics, and intended to toward Jesus, you won’t be so prone be governor of Texas by the time I to get lost in moralism. turned 35. That dream finally failed completely this past March! It was How have the doctrines of grace actually at a week-long summer informed not only your theology camp between my freshman and but pastoral ministry? sophomore years that the Lord called me to ministry. The call, I think, The fact of God’s sovereignty in happened very quickly—over the span of just a couple of days—but it salvation is huge in my ministry. took me about a year to sift through It keeps me from panicking in the the fallout of it, figure out what short run, and it focuses me on the those new desires meant, and finally long game. I trust God deeply to use decide I would pursue ministry. the message of the gospel to break through human blindness and sin, You recently preached through and regenerate hearts. That’s how Ezekiel. Many pastors find it difficult to preach through the he has said he will save people, and Old Testament. Do you have any so my job is to preach that message. advice? My job is not to do other things that a weight, a shape, a point, and a I imagine may be more effective in Yea, there are a couple of things. thrust. They’re doing something, persuading people to accept Jesus. First of all, get a good handle on and they all have a tight—and And not only that, but I think the the structure of the book. Most sometimes brilliant!—structure to doctrines of grace, once understood, Christians tend to think about Old them. Spend the time necessary to tend massively toward gratitude in Testament books—especially the drill that structure into your mind, prophets—as just a mash-up of a Christian’s heart and therefore www.credomag.com | 7 life. Right after I decided to pursue in his/her mother’s womb. Just the ministry, a professor introduced because a political party or two me to Edwards, and I was struck decides to put something about that immediately by the power of his issue in their platforms, doesn’t intellect being applied to spiritual mean we have to shy away from it.