A Challenge to the Denizens of Boar’s Head Tavern

A site I really like is Boar's Head Tavern. Lots of great posts, like this one on inerrancy. A number of the regulars seem to have an inordinate liking for the scurrilous and offensive passages the Bible abounds in – but then, so do I.

The site is full of excellent quotes from theological worthies like Luther, Calvin, Charles Simeon, and Charles Wesley. Here is a delightful one that seems to describe the group-blog’s disposition to a tee:

“It is better to think of church in the ale-house than to think of the ale-house in church.” – Martin Luther.

A lot of those who write on the blog are TULIPs, as am I. As I’ve explained before, a TULIP is someone who has read Augustine and Calvin and has a hard time finding something to disagree with.

But TULIPs have a problem, and they need to face up to it.

TULIP theology has often given itself a bad name by rabidness of expression, lack of charity towards those who articulate their beliefs in categories other than those of TULIPism, and a loss of focus, which must be, at all times, the proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ, especially to those who have lost their way – a category to which all, this side of heaven, belong: simul iustus simul peccator.

To my fellow TULIPs in the tavern, I throw out a challenge. Wipe your whiskers of foam but for a moment, and show me where, any where, the following restatement of TULIP theology goes wrong:

Total hereditary depravity is no match for God’s grace. He shall overcome.

Unconditional election is the chief and most glorious expression of God’s unconditional love.

Limited atonement is a reality faced today. The consequences of sin are still born in part by sin’s perpetrators and victims. The time is coming, and is almost here, when the Lamb’s victory over sin will be universal.

Irresistible Grace means that God’s saving purpose cannot be thwarted by human disobedience and incredulity.

Perseverance of the saints: God’s grace guarantees it. Relapse into sin is terribly destructive, but cannot separate us from the love of God.

 With the lone exception of L, which is nonetheless prefigured therein, all of these truths are clearly taught in the Hebrew Bible. Ezekiel in particular is a powerful witness to them.

But TULIPs need to express themselves in a way that accords with the heart of the gospel. If they don’t, they will rightly be written off as theological cranks who have never absorbed the teaching of 1 Corinthians 13 - verse 13 in particular.

UPDATE: Friends of mine are debating the contents of this post here. Apparently, they are afraid to express themselves in the comment section below, for fear of getting whacked by me or a boar’s head. Or maybe they like the beer better at Doug’s pub, I don’t know.

Comments

[Doug Chaplin]

Well, I do serve real ale! Given that is possible to come up with all sorts of acronyms to express a biblical faith, why not pick one of your own instead of appropriating someone else's? Most tulips I've come across wouldn't even be sure if you're animal, vegetable or mineral, never mind recognising you as a fellow bloom :-)

[Peter Kirk]

I'll join you for a real ale, Doug, if I ever get the chance. Can we make REALALE into an acronym?

[JohnFH]

Doug,

There are TULIPs, too many for sure, who do not live up to their name, which suggests a fragrance that is cheerful, sunny and bright, with a touch of humor and grace.

All letters of the acronym, correctly understood, are taught in scripture and tradition and backed by experience and reason. But my point is a different one. If the context in which truth is expressed is not that of the three virtues of 1 Cor 13:13, it does harm rather than good.

If the choice is: heresy + the three virtues, or truth w/o the three virtues, the former is vastly preferable.

Not all TULIPs are sourpusses, and not all TULIPs believe in their heart of hearts that one is saved by correct TULIPic doctrine.

Calvin, especially the early Calvin, the one I know best, is luminous and doxological. Augustine, especially Augustine of the Confessions, the one I know best, lives within the three virtues.

[Lingamish]

It's too smokey in here and the music is too loud. I'm going to go out back and smell the flowers.

[Doug Chaplin]

John, I'm completely with the substance of what you say, but think too many self-proclaimed tulips are artificial and indeed lacking the fragrance and virtue you describe - silk flowers made out of a sow's ear.

[Peter Kirk]

Lingamish, come to a real British pub and enjoy Doug's real ale in a smoke-free environment, by a new law. The smoke now has to be outside with the tulips. Actually the problem for us non-smokers, on a beautiful evening like this, is that smokers take all the seats in the beer garden.

[Lingamish]

Dang, Doug, that's poetry. I'm coming back inside. No beer thanks. That's for the Nascar crowd. I limit my self-medication to caffeine.

Boar's Head Tavern indeed! Who needs 'em. Too much bore, not enough head.