Andy Cain

Biblically Qualified Elder, Reformed Baptist. Everything that we have and everything that we are is by the grace of God.

[𝔚𝔥𝔦𝔱𝔢𝔅𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔡 @HwsEleutheroi]

I would like to make a few quick comments on the @DineshdSouza anti-Calvinism crusade going on right now.

First, Mr. D'Souza just indicated he is ordering one of the most basic books on Reformed soteriology, one that every Calvinist I know owns and has read: Sproul's _Chosen By God_. That's a great first step, but it also illustrates the problem. Dinesh has not given any of us any reason to believe he actually understands the position he is vigorously denying. That's what caught my attention. So, first...

Let's stop talking about a debate for now. Debates are great: I will list some of my formal, public, moderated debates below on this topic. But some of them are not useful, such as the one I did with Steve Tassi. OK, entertaining, but not overly useful in the long run. And I don't want to invest time in such a debate at the moment. Here is my suggestion. Let Dinesh read Sproul. Think about it. Work on it. Understand it. I think he would find _The Potter's Freedom_ even more useful, given its apologetic orientation, but for now...Sproul will do. And then, let's give him room to...back track. Realize that all of his objections are basic, and have been addressed by our side again and again and again at a very deep level. Give him the room to grow, to learn, and to go, "OK, sorry...much more to this than I originally thought." Dinesh is a smart man . I've profited from much of what he has written and produced. I'd like to see him given room to take a step back and go, "OK, let's rethink this."

Secondly, I would like to invite Dinesh to consider this: if I were to all of a sudden show up start haranguing his most recent book, and he asks, “When did you read it?” and I answer, “I haven’t,” how much credibility would I have? In the same way, I have written three books on this topic, one of which is very widely used and very popular. Yet it is clear Dinesh hasn’t read it yet…he will dismiss my “videos” as just surface level proof texting? I will hazard a guess: he has not listened to a full debate on this topic, not even the ones with Flowers, let alone the more serious ones with Bryson and Brown. I’d like him to consider what this might mean for his conclusions.

Next, I would like to ask him if he has read any, or all, of the following:

The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin. Fundamental reading for Western Civilization, truly, let alone for Reformed theology, and for “Calvinism.”

Institutes of Elenctic Theology by Francis Turretin. At least the relevant sections on soteriology. Height of Reformed scholasticism, and surely sufficient to keep a person from making off-hand comments about how surface-level Reformed teaching supposedly is.

Jonathan Edwards, The Freedom of the Will. Classic Reformed treatment that would disabuse Dinesh of every one of the rather silly statements he has made about man not being able to make choices, etc. (Reformed theology says we make choices, obviously: the issue is the bondage of the will to sin, and hence the options from which to choose in making said choices).

The Existence and Attributes of God by Stephen Charnock. At its base, the debate over “Calvinism” is a debate over theology proper. I have always said, a consistent Arminian is an Open Theist. There is a reason why that is a very defensible proposition.

And let’s let ol’ Luther have his say. Has Dinesh read the first written debate of the Reformation, that between Luther (On the Bondage of the Will) and Desiderius Erasmus?

So look…a debate would be great, but, I am simply stating this honestly: I have not seen Mr. D’Souza make an objection so far that shows he has a CLUE what the other side is actually saying. And I say that with standing: I know how to debate. I’ve done more than 200 moderated, public debates all around the world on dozens of topics, not just this one. I’ve gotten pretty good at being able to tell who has done their homework and who is making it up as they go along. Want evidence? OK, let’s start with a few debates on Calvinism, going back over a quarter of a century:

https://t.co/t8PRfzX1tH
https://t.co/6aROuHGd7F

And the Tassi debate which, while entertaining, was not exactly edifying in the long run:

https://t.co/RZQJZZSlKU

And a few others simply demonstrating that formal, public, moderated debate is something we have been engaged in for, oh, let’s see…as of this month, I just realized…36 years (started August of 1990):

Vs. Bart Ehrman: https://t.co/IWNY5DSafr

Vs. John Dominic Crossan: https://t.co/35tPzoQKtI

Vs. John Shelby Spong: https://t.co/uVCuVT5h3D

Vs. Shabir Ally (Abu Bakr Siddiq Mosque, Erasmia, South Africa: https://t.co/jZxPSqniKw

Vs. Dr. Abdullah Kunde, Australia: https://t.co/gnk5EmV57A

Vs. Atheist David Silverman: https://t.co/x2SulRpdlV

Vs. Atheist Dan Barker: https://t.co/hCmZC1Y4C5

And, of course, all the debates with Mitch Pacwa, Gerry Matatics, Patrick Madrid, etc. and etc.

So, let’s let Mr. D’Souza do some reading…and then we can talk about formal debate. As for me, I have been working for months in preparation for my next such debate October 17th in Gilbert, Arizona vs. Eastern Orthodox representative Craig Truglia. Thesis: “Icon Veneration as Taught by the Seventh Ecumenical Council (Nicea II) in 787 is Apostolic” (I am, of course, taking the negative).

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

@farmingandJesus I call them the Mental Health Pharisees.

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

The God Who Justifies - Feature Friday

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

@DineshDSouza You keep doubling down in serious misrepresentations. You need to seek wise counsel.

[Alliance Defending Freedom @ADFLegal]

Today, ADF attorneys sent a letter to @WNBA commissioner @CathyEngelbert, warning her that the league may expose themselves to legal liability by silencing fans' viewpoints.

In two different situations, fans at a game in Seattle were bullied by a co-owner of the team for their signs supporting @sophaller while fans at a game in Atlanta were made to cover up their @xx_xyathletics shirts. These incidents send a resounding message to WNBA fans: if you know what it means to be a woman and support fairness in women's sports, you are not welcome at WNBA games.

ADF is open to assisting the league with legal education and policies that would support free expression at games and fairness in women's sports. It is time to take action against this blatant censorship of the truth.

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

@AVPrinter @DineshDSouza Actually, it was Scripture that led me to Reformed Soteriology. See how that works?

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

@jeffdornik @DineshDSouza No, we believe that all are in Adam and God decided to demonstrate saving love and mercy on some to display all His attributes for His glory.

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

@DineshDSouza That is a sinful and man-centered misrepresentation of Reformed Soteriology.

[Brandon Scalf @brandonmscalf]

The church desperately needs:
Elders, not entertainers.
Pastors, not personalities.
Shepherds, not showmen.
& Men of the Word, not men of the world.

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

@DineshDSouza This is a misrepresentation of Reformed Soteriology.

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

Thanksgiving Is An Act Of Worship - Thankful Thursday

[American Debunk @AmericanDebunk]

Reminder: The WNBA is trapped in the worst position any liberal institution can be in.

They have just two options:

A) Let biological males compete as women. This is institutional suicide as it would trigger a cascade of copycats. Probability: 0%.

B) Define “woman”. This forces them to admit gender is not a feeling. It publicly walks back years of ideology and looks like they never actually believed a word of it.

Either choice burns gender ideology to the ground.

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

@jacelala @Truth_matters20 1. Christ only has one church.
2. It recognizes the 2 ordinances.
3. It teaches proper justification.
4. It teaches that Christ perfectly knows His elect.

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

Did the WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION ever find out what a woman is?

[Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh]

🚨 JUST IN: The WNBA is entering PANIC MODE after admitting to a mom and daughter being threatened with ejection from their $1K seats because they wore shirts that said "XX" and "XY" — Women and men, BASIC BIOLOGY

Security said: COVER IT UP, or you're out 🤯

WNBA: "This should not have happened."

The league is cooked unless they admit to BASIC BIOLOGY!

[Enes Kanter FREEDOM @EnesFreedom]

Now, listen to me very carefully!

So far, I’ve spoken with:

2 Former NBA players
3 G-League players
3 European players

They have all said that if the @WNBA doesn’t change the rules, they’re ready to join the movement and are considering coming out as women and putting their names in the 2027 #WNBA Draft.

Hear me out;

The @NBA G- League pays players $45,000 a year, while the #WNBA top players earn $1.4 Million.
Those “men” could earn an extra $1,355,000 a year by just identifying as women.

Rules are rules.

#LetFreedomPlay

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

@FrankLets78822 Either God is sovereign and has control over His creation, or, He does not.

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

The WNBA is so pathetically stupid.

[J @JayTC53]

The WNBA allows a coach to wear a pro trans shirt but forces fans to cover up their pro women's shirts at a women's sporting league.

Make it make sense @WNBA ...pathetic.

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

https://t.co/zgSWuh7buL

[Andy Cain @GodCenteredUS]

@craigiem12 We don’t believe that.