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Question 3

He praised Calvinists as “resourceful,” “diligent,” and strategic (seminaries, publishers, cities, study Bibles) while also calling the system “deeply twisted”; how should admiration for someone’s discipline and communication skill affect (or not affect) our willingness to accept their doctrine?

Another way to ask: If people are disciplined, smart, and great communicators, should that make us more likely to trust their doctrine? Why or why not?

Direct Answer

Finny’s approach implies we can respect discipline, gifting, and strategic excellence while still refusing to accept doctrine on that basis; eloquence and infrastructure are not the test of truth.

Support from Transcript:

He openly admires their strengths: “resourcefulness and… diligence,” calling many leaders “very articulate, very diligent… very impressive men.”
He describes how strategy amplifies influence: “publishing broadly… so many study Bibles… dominate the seminaries,” and city-focused ministry (e.g., Tim Keller in Manhattan).
Yet he states his conclusion strongly: Calvinism is a “deeply twisted unbiblical system,” and later says its portrayal of God is “if not outright blasphemy, awful close.”
He explains why attraction can be misleading: young people follow “gifted speakers,” and a “positive feedback loop” forms around them.
He criticizes “allegiance to this system… imposed onto the Bible,” implying that charisma and structure can mask a flawed framework.

Discussion Follow-ups

How do you personally separate “I like this teacher” from “this doctrine is true”? What practical habits could help a church evaluate teaching by Scripture rather than by polish, platform, or productivity?

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