For those who are not familiar with Louis Ruggiero, he runs an apologetics website called the King Messiah Project. He is quite Arminian in his theology, and has been charged by some of being a Pelagian (although he denies this charge). He is known primarily for his diatribes against Calvinism. For example, some time back, he and Matt Slick tried to set up a debate on Total Depravity, but the debate was scrapped because Lou would not stick to the topic at hand. More recently, he has published a book called The God of Calvinism: A Rebuttal of Reformed Theology. He attempts to present it as a rebuttal to Dr. White’s The Potter’s Freedom, and interestingly enough, the foreword is written by none other than Ergun M. Caner. Unfortunately, I don’t have a copy of the book with me right now (although one of my friends who has dialogued with Ruggiero before does, and perhaps I can borrow it from him). So, until I can get my hands on the book, I will instead deal with an article he has posted on his website titled, Refuting the Tulip With the Fear of the LORD.[1]

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I recently ran into this video by a fellow named Farhan who attempts a response to David Wood’s video entitled How Can God Die? I have decided to post a video response of my own, so here it is:

Please excuse the less than perfect video editing. I used a different editing program than I usually use for making this video.

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I [the LORD God] will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? ~ Hosea 13:14

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said” ~ Matthew 28:5-6

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power ~ 1Cor 15:20-24

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed ~ Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

Below is a powerful five-minute scene from an episode of the TV Series ER aptly titled Atonement (watch from about 0:50 to 3:20). It depicts a conversation between a dying man seeking real forgiveness from a real God and a woman trying to respond to this need with the typical inclusive/pluralistic placebos that permeate our culture today, especially regarding religious issues.

Some notable quotes include:

. . . all I’m hearing is some new age “God is love” one-size-fits-all crap.

. . . I want a real chaplain who believes in a real God and a real Hell.

. . . I need answers, and all your questions and your uncertainty are only making things worse.

. . . I need someone who will look me in the eye and tell me how to find forgiveness, because I am running out of time!

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“We have turned God from the one we fear, to the one we’d like to have coffee with” – Al Stewart
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If nothing else, this short scene serves to give hope to those of us who during our obedience to Christ, have never come into contact with someone who honestly recognizes their dire situation before a holy and just God and genuinely seeks the hope of forgiveness that we know is only available through Jesus Christ.

Exhibit A . . .

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For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more – Heb 8:12
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It stands to reason that there are many people out there who have similarly grown weary of the lies and the postmodern “God is whoever you want him to be” gobbledegook. If by God’s will you find yourself speaking to such a person, make sure you’re ready to tell them the good news. Forgiveness and redemption are possible, but only through Jesus Christ, who lived the life that you could not live, who died the death that you should have died and who rose in triumphant victory over Satan, sin and death, so that you can have a relationship with God that is no longer marred by sin.

[Post edited by Duane: 17th Feb 2010]