Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.
The Historic Faith
Sign in

Jumpstarter 9 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion
Historic Christianity vs Calvinism  /  Lecture 9: The History and Dangers of Proof-texting  /  Discussion Questions
All Questions
Question 9
Finny distinguishes “Lazarus dead” (corpse) from “prodigal son dead” (“you’re dead to me” relationally) to challenge the Calvinist use of “dead in sins” from Ephesians 2; which sense of “dead” best fits his supporting arguments (Satan blinding unbelievers; Jesus amazed at lack of faith; judicial hardening), and what uncomfortable implications does that have for how responsible unbelievers really are?
Another way to ask: Finny says “dead” can mean a corpse (like Lazarus) or cut off in relationship (like the prodigal son), and he applies that to Ephesians 2. Which meaning fits his other points best, and what does that suggest about how responsible unbelievers really are?

Direct Answer Finny’s supporting arguments fit “prodigal son dead” best—dead as relationally cut off, not corpse-like inability—because they assume unbelievers still have some capacity that can be suppressed, resisted, or judged. That implies an uncomfortable conclusion: unbelievers are responsible in a real way, since their lack of faith is not merely automatic “corpse behavior.”

Support from Transcript:

  • Finny contrasts “Lazarus dead” (a corpse that “couldn’t hear…couldn’t respond”) with “prodigal son dead,” where “dead” means “we have no relationship,” like “you’re dead to me.”
  • 2 Corinthians 4:4: Satan “has blinded unbelievers.” Finny argues: “Does it make any sense to blind a corpse?…No,” implying unbelievers aren’t corpse-dead.
  • Mark 6:6: Jesus is “amazed at their lack of faith.” Finny (via Leighton Flowers) says Jesus shouldn’t be amazed if they are truly corpse-dead.
  • He links this to “judicial hardening,” arguing hardening assumes a “sliding scale,” not a simple dead/alive binary.
  • He proposes a “spectrum…many shades of gray,” and notes Jesus says children seem more “supple and responsive.”
Discussion Follow-ups If unbelievers retain capacity, what role does grace play without eliminating responsibility? How does this affect the way you pray for and speak to non-Christians?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10
Back Questions Next