The classic debate of Predestination verses Arminianism is repeatedly up for discussion. The two extremes of God’s grace can occasionally cause trivial disagreements among the body of Christ. I will be addressing both views and explain the reason why I believe Arminiansim or Free Will, to be the best interpretation of God’s love and grace as displayed throughout his word. Even though I hold to this view, I would like to show respect to those who hold to the Doctrine of Predestination, also known as Calvinism. I think Ephesians 4:3-6 says it best, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Italics mine.)
To begin, let me state some of the general doctrine that Calvinist hold and the scripture used to back it up. Tulip is used to describe the five points of Calvinism. The first one is Total Depravity, this principle is based upon Romans 9:14-23 and Romans 6:16, 19-20. Calvinisism teaches that since we are dead in our sins, we are unable to make a choice for or against God’s gift of salvation. Just like a dead corpus is unable to react to situations or make choices, we are no different. Unconditional Election is based upon Ephesians 1:4-5 and Romans 8:33. This ideology, also known as reprobation, teaches that even before the world was formed, God had already predestined those he would allow salvation and those whom he would, quite bluntly, send to hell. Limited Atonement is based upon John 6:44,65 and John 10:14-16,25-29. This ideology teaches that Christ’s death is sufficient for all, but Christ would have died in vain for those who would not accept him. Irresistible Grace is based upon Romans 9:16 and John 1:13. This ideology teaches that God’s election is not based upon our will, but God’s. Our will is naturally against God, so God graciously changes those he elects to his will. Lastly Perseverance of the Saints is based upon John 10:28 and 1 Peter 1:4-5. This ideology teaches that when God changes the will of his elect, to choose him, they cannot fall away.
The argument, against Calvinism, is called Arminianism. This doctrine is almost opposite to the doctrine of predestination. There are four motifs usually associated with Arminianism; I will only address three, because the fourth deals with eternal insecurity, however, I believe in eternal security. The three motifs include: God loves all people (John 3:16); people have the free will to choose to accept or reject God’s love (Galatians 5:1); and finally, God influences people to accept, but he does not force one to accept or reject himself (Romans 2:11 & Deut. 10:17-19). I think C.S. Lewis said it best, concerning Free Will, “God has made it a rule for Himself that he won’t alter people’s character by force. He can and will alter them, but only if the people will let Him. …He would rather have a world of free beings, with all its risks, than a world of people who did right like machines because they couldn’t do anything else. The more we succeed in imagining what a world of perfect automatic beings would be like. The more, I think, we shall see His wisdom.” I agree with this statement to it’s fullest; in other words, allow me to define a few miss-interpreted words. Predestined means, God forced and foreknowledge means, God knew. I do not have years under my belt full of Biblical or hermeneutical study, but I cannot come to grips with the idea that God has forced himself on some and distanced himself from others. Lamentation 3:33 says, “For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men…” and Romans 5:8 says, “ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I believe Paul makes it clear that we are dead in our sins, however Christ still died for us. Most of us will be able to state from memory John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (Italics mine.) Notice he didn’t say, “For God so loved only some of the world that he gave…” It says, that he loved the WORLD that he gave his one and only son. Why? So that whoever may have eternal life. Whoever, means whomever. There are no restrictions on this verse, Christ died for all and whoever answers the knock at the door of their heart may enter. Revelation 22:18 says, “…Whoever is thirty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” (Italics mine.) God has complete knowledge of who will choose to accept him or reject him, to say that God has not given man a choice in the matter, is going against God’s perfect love. Although mankind is fallen and selective in our love to others, God is not.
In the thread of Calvinists, they teach that God is under no obligation to endow grace upon anyone, he can withhold salvation from whomever he wants. He is all-powerful; God makes this quite clear at the end of Job, when he confronts Job. While this is true, it would go completely against the very nature of God. I believe God does have the power to withhold his salvation or to force it upon one, but he simply chooses not to.
Allow me to end with an example that has helped in my own affirmation of the matter. Calvinists believe that man is too dead to choose or to reject God’s salvation; Genesis 2:17 comes to my mind when thinking about this, “…but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” God told Adam he would die if he ate of it, most of us would recognize this death as being eternally separate from God, because at that time there was no Savior. We became dead in our sin; however, our eyes were open to choose between good and evil.
September 2007
Just when you think you are going to have a mental break down…you don’t. everything is still not okay, but you’re calm. God provides you finally with tears, to get it all out and a shoulder to cry on. and the next day you pick yourself back up, go to starbucks order a pumkin spice latte’ and write that paper…or study for that exam. and you actually make it. oh the trails of life. don’t they seem big, too big? I’m so glad that God is bigger…i know i wouldn’t make it.
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10
i watched a little girl tonight. at church. she was adorable…small, barely able to walk, with little curly blonde hair. i couldn’t help but notice her, the moment she would walk into the gym, she lit up the room. her smile grew stronger when she’d spot her dad and then she’d wibble wobble running toward him- not a care of the day on her shoulder, all she was concerned about was getting into the arms of her dad. no wonder Jesus took special notice of the children during his ministry on earth.
i’ve been told all my life, to not wish my life away. oh, how i wish i would have took that advice and ran with it. not worrying and having faith like a child is not easy. I’m really glad God’s love is big enough to catch me when i fail to trust him…
the sunset is probably my favorite time of day. there’s nothing better. tips of the leaves are brigt yellow and the sky is normally red to show that tomorrow will hold yet another pretty day. that’s exciting. i’ve not beeing very excited lately though. i’ve had tons on my mind. i’ve been so frustrated with [people] lately, because they are letting choices and situations in life take control of, not only your happiness, but your daily routine. your day can end up becoming not your own, but a bucket of worries. while i’ve been frustrated with that, i’ve found myself in the same pit. it’s absolutely no fun, you find yourself loosing sleep and when you do sleep you have nightmares. there’s absolutely no one around to talk to, or confide in. it’s really lonely. so, what do you do? you pick yourself back up again and again and again…soon, it’s another day, then another week and now it’s a new month. You’re still the same; worried, stressed and alone.
one of the darkest pits you can fall into is the lie that you are alone. Christians, like myself fall for it all the time. you’re really not, there’s God. but that is a bit cliche’ anymore. preachers, church leaders and christian self help books always promote the same thing, “oh, pray about it” “all you need is God” ect. it’s true, i’m not denying it, but sometimes is impossible to grasp it. Dwight Esenhour (haha i know that’s not spelled right!) said, “When your at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!” while that’s true, sometimes the load is hard to carry while you are hanging on…by a thread.
I’m not going to pretend i know the answer or boast of how i’ve defeated the horrors of the unknown or the time consuming lesson of patients, but I am going to tell you that is hard. and your going to cry. and sometimes your going to seriously think you can’t get through this. but…hold on and no matter how hard it might be…you’ve got to open your Bible. no matter if you have no clue where to start…you’ve got to open it and seek His face…even though you can’t see Him right now.
So, lately I’m figuring out why I’m where I’m at. It’s been bothering me for some time now, and I’m relieved to finally know. Allow me to interpret: I’m at school, in my dorm room, it’s been two years now and I’m moving along in school, getting closer to my degree, but I’m just not satisfied. I’m on my own, I own my car, I have plently of stuff plus a ton of junk…what’s missing? I have a wonderful boyfriend, awesome friends and an excellent family…I’m really happy but somethings missing. So, summer comes and it flies by. I stay home, because I need to save money and to take care of my mom…I was sad not to go to school, but happy to stay home. Still, something has been missing all this time. I have been home sick for China, wishing I were there and fretting about not being engaged to be married. So, my hearts really been a mess.
Have you ever had a veery faint whisper bug and tug at you when you are anixous…for nothing? Well, that’s been me for awhile. And finally on my way home today, I watched the sun set in silence and He spoke, “I’m more than enough for you Amber…”
*Someone told me a couple of days ago that I needed to set back and just let things come to me. It was the best thing that anyone could have EVER said to me. I didn’t want to hear it, but it was what I needed. I’ve been in such a hurry to get the things that my heart desires that I’ve been way too busy to notice God and what He might want to do with me right now.
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” -Psalm 37:4
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