Free Will

I've been thinking about free will lately.  Do humans have the ability to make their own choices? Should we be held accountable for the choices we make? Or is everything in our world pre-determined. Has God pre-planned everything, and is absolutely everything going to happen the way that God has planned it.

Many Christians have been influenced by the Calvinist beliefs in total depravity, unconditional election, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints.  They believe in predestination, that all events have been willed by God. John Calvin interpreted biblical predestination to mean that God willed eternal damnation for some people and salvation for others.

On the other hand, does a belief in free will limit God's sovereignty?

This is a complex question for my mind to grapple with.

Has God planned how I am going to sort this question out?  Is it worth even trying to sort out?

The debate of whether or not free will exists goes beyond the spiritual implications.  Determinism is the philosophical position that for every event, including human action, there exist conditions that could cause no other event.   Think science and cause and effect.  Is who we are, what we think, and what we do simply a product of our environment.  When people make poor choices, should we place all the blame on the poor inputs?

I should go outside and cut the grass.  The grass is tall. My yard would look better if I did.  The neighbours likely think I should have cut it yesterday. Will I cut it today, or will I wait for tomorrow?  Will when I cut the grass be determined by my free will, or am I simply a robot that responds automatically to specific prompts and inputs?

For now I'll choose to continue with this blog post...  because that's the way I'm wired.

There are some Bible verses that support the idea of predestination

Romans 8:29-30 (NET Bible)

because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Ephesians 1:5 (NET Bible)

He did this by predestining us to adoption as his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will—

Ephesians 1:11 (NET Bible)

In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will

There are other Bible verses that support the idea of free will

Proverbs 16:9 ESV

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Joshua 24:15 ESV

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, ...

John 7:17 ESV

If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

Revelation 3:20 ESV

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 43 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Galatians 5:16-17 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Psalm 37:23 ESV

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;

Romans 10:9-10 ESV

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Mark 8:34 ESV

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

 Matthew 6:33 NIV

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

There are also Bible verses that speak about free life, and how Jesus has made us free  (Galatians 5:1, 1 Peter 2:16, John 8:32, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Romans 8:1-4, Isaiah 61:1). Can freedom exist if there is no free will?

Do we have free will? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Or should I say: I'd love to see how your mind processes this topic based on the the way it has been programmed and the inputs it has received.

Related Post: Calvanism

Who Can Baptize?

This is post #6 in a series on Baptism:

1. Baptism Questions - some questions I'd like to sort out
2. What Did Baptism Mean? - a look at how the Greek terms get used and translated in other literature
3. Baptism without Water - a look at baptism references that are not talking about water
4. Baptism and Culture -  It seems Christianity adopted a common custom of the time.
5. The Heart of Baptism - What is at the heart of this ritual 
6. Who Can Baptize? - Do we think Matt 28:18 - 20 is addressed only for the clergy? 
7. When Should Believers Be Baptized - At what age? At what level of maturity? 
8. Baptism With The Holy Spirit - comparing immersion with water and with the Holy Spirit 
9. Baptism Summary Thoughts

I came across a quote from John Calvin on this topic:

It is here also pertinent to observe, that it is improper for private individuals to take upon themselves the administration of baptism; for it, as well as the dispensation of the Supper, is part of the ministerial office. For Christ did not give command to any men or women whatever to baptise, but to those whom he had appointed apostles. And when, in the administration of the Supper, he ordered his disciples to do what they had seen him do (he having done the part of a legitimate dispenser), he doubtless meant that in this they should imitate his example.
(John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997). Institutes IV, xv, 20)

Do you agree with John Calvin on this?

Or do you think baptism falls under the responsibility of the priesthood of all believers?

Do you think Matt 28:18 - 20 is addressed only for the clergy?

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:18 - 20 NIV)

When we look at all the examples of baptism in the New Testament, are we confident they were all performed by ordained clergy?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Fools Day Quotes From Jesus

Here are some long lost quotes from Jesus.

"You should come visit my church this Sunday."

"My church has the best worship band."

"You should give 10% to your church."

"You should serve in your church programs."

"Make sure you pick a church that belongs to an evangelical denomination."

"Make sure you celebrate Christmas every year as the best holiday of the year."

"My Father and I can't hang around with sinners, so my Father will kill me. I will pay the price for your sin so you can go to heaven when you die."

"I'm a 5 and a 1/2 point Calvinist."

"You should only listen to Christian music."

"Don't drink wine... unless it's the good stuff I make."

"Read this tract. "

"Repeat this sinners prayer after me."

"Here is a book I've written for you to follow, you should call it the Word of God."


Happy April Fools Day! :)

Have I missed some?

I Don't Understand Predestination

I'm putting this out there. I am quick to admit I don't understand predestination.

Predestination is a mystery to me.

How can God know the future, and be in control of everything - yet love all of His creation and allow us to have free will.

The way I see it, both Calvinists and non-Calvinists have points where they must admit they don't understand something.

I think Calvinist see other points further down their logic path that become their mysteries.

Calvinist don't have a problem with predestination.

They remove free will from the equation.

They conclude that God is in 100% control of everyone's desires, choices and actions.

They conclude that God has chosen them and they have nothing to do with it, it's all for God's glory.

They conclude that Jesus only died for the elect.

Some conclude that God hates sinners.

For them the mysteries come at some different points in their responses to questions like these:

• What criteria would God have to predestine some people to a future in heaven, and some to a future in Hell?
  
• Why does God predestine billions of people to Hell? Why bother creating them if he knows where he is sending them?
  
• If God hates sinners should we?
• Can't sinners choose to do good, and can't they choose to follow God.
• Doesn't 2 Peter 3:9 and Acts 17:30 sound like God wants everyone to be saved, not just the elect?
• Doesn't 1 John 2:2 sound like unlimited atonement?
• Doesn't Matt 23:37 sound like some resisted God's irresistible grace?
• Doesn't Matt 6:33 sound like people have the choice to seek God's kingdom?

From my experience, at some point in these conversation you will likely get the response that it is a mystery. We shouldn't expect to fully understand the ways of God.

If we all have points in our logic where we fall back and admit it's a mystery of God...

I think I'd rather pick a point earlier in the logic process before defending some of these other positions.

What's it called when you say something about someone that is false and makes them out to look like a monster?

I think Calvinists are running on dangerous ground, falsely accusing God of hating sinners.

I wouldn't want to go there.

If I'm wrong. I believe I'll be slightly disappointed when I get to heaven and discover I was actually a robot or puppet. I can live with this.

If they are wrong, I suspect they will regret spreading the message that God hates sinners.

So I am OK publicly stating I don't understand predestination.

Related Posts:

• 95 Thesis - Point 5 - Calvinism
• Does God hate the world?
• Total depravity
• John Calvin
  
• Five points of Calvinism

The First Pastors

I have realized that nobody in the New Testament church called themselves Pastor. Why do we have people using that title today? Who were some of the first people to call themselves Pastor?

So I started to speculate ...

My guess was that it was some guys in the reformation who no longer wanted to use the title Priest. They didn't want to be confused with those other totalitarian leaders. But didn't know what title to use. So they looked through the New Testament in search of a title.

Overseer? That could have described their position where they watched over those in their established congregations. But no... that is what Bishop means and that had already been used.

What about Teacher, or Father? No, Matthew 23:8-12 would be easily used against them.

So they picked Pastor. It only shows up once in the NT, but maybe they could convince Christ followers that they needed to follow someone called a Pastor (or shepherd). Just enough truth to make it work.

OK... enough speculation...

Google searches have let me down. All I can find is reference that John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli were some of the first people to use the title Pastor. I have to thank them for some of their contributions towards the protestant reformation. However this adds to my disappointment as well.

All I can say is I'm glad I'm not living in their day... I would have objected... and that would have reduced my life expectancy.

As always, I appreciate any feedback, even if you disagree with me. I couldn't find many facts on this. Who first used the title Pastor? What motivated them to do this? Do you agree?

Related Posts:

• The Pastor
• Anabaptists and Zwingli
• John Calvin
• Five Points of Calvinism

Signs that say it all

OK, maybe a bit harsh... This is not a reall sign, and this is not what I believe.

But what if Calvinists actually wrote on their signage what they believe.

Many Calvinist theologians believe that God hates sinners.

If God hates sinners, shouldn't we? We are to strive to be about our Fathers business... follow Jesus... etc.

The logic is crazy... so I put "Fun-Da-Mental".

Discovering the God Imagination

A short review of a book written by a 'blog friend' who shares a great biblical name :) http://jonathanbrink.com

I agree with Jonathan Brink that there are flaws in how we view God.
That God created us but shortly after allowed us to be tricked by Satan and became evil at the core.
That God could not be in a relationship with his children anymore... that he couldn't love us since we were by nature evil.
That God's judgment towards us will now be one of eternal torment.
That the only way God could get us back was by killing his own son.

Jonathan Brink lists a number of concerns from this story we have created. I have wrestled with the same concerns. Basically it just doesn't paint a picture of a God who loves me the way I am. It's a God I should fear, but not a God to get too close with.

Jonathan Brink proposes we have misread the story. That the fall in the garden wasn't so much us becoming evil, but us losing sight of the good that we are. We have been tricked into viewing ourselves as evil. But we are still the good that God created. We need to understand that God always loves us, that God always sees the good in us - the good that he created - in His own image.

I love that Jonathan Brink is encouraging Christ followers to revisit this topic. I'd love to see more people engaging in the discussion.

The way I've personally sorted it out is this: I'm not sure if we have created the right questions. I'm not sure if we need to decide if our nature is basically good, or basically evil. I'm not convinced that was one of the big questions the writers of Scripture were attempting to answer. I tend to think of us as children. Yes children can do evil selfish things, but they are also capable of doing loving unselfish things. Children are in a learning process being guided by their parents (and others) with the goal of following the right path for each of them. I think I am God's child. He created me, and loves me more than I can imagine. He always has a plan for me. However I often do my own selfish things. That is why Jesus came preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. He wanted to remind us that when we allow Him to rule in our lives our lives can be what He intended them to be. Jesus left us with His Spirit to guide us. The choice is do we rule, or do we allow God to rule in and through us. I don't think people are either evil or good. We are all God's children. Some are in broken relationships with their Father, and others are allowing their loving Father into their lives to guide and direct them. But God loves us all. That's my 2 cents.

But maybe my response is too simplistic for you. If so I'd encourage you to read Discovering the God imagination. Jump into the conversation and wrestle some with the question yourself. What is the gospel? Did the fall make everyone evil, and does God hate evil sinners. Or does He love us all?

Amazon Link.

Related Posts:

• Penal Substitution
• More on penal substitution
• Does God hate the world?
• Total depravity

Playdough Scripture Romans 14

I'm going to take a bit of a different twist with my regular Playdough Scripture series.

Here's a passage that is a challenge for myself, and I think I'm not alone on this. We have a tendency to judge each other on many disputable matters. There are countless issues that Christ's 'church' has divided and fought over. I am guilty of judging those who still maintain these divisions, or who hold tightly to traditions that are not central to scripture.

I encourage you to think of a type of Christ follower that you have felt judgmental about, see if you can rephrase some parts of Romans 14 to fit. I think it may do us all well to look at this passage through some of our current issues.

PLEASE NOTE: the following is NOT Romans 14... it is not meant to be scripture... it may have some similarities to Romans 14... but it's been squished and reshaped like playdough.

I'll contribute a few, please include yours in a comment.

"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to view the 'church' as all those who follow Christ, but another man, whose faith is weak, accepts only those who go to a church similar to his. The man who see's Christ's church as all those who follows Christ must not look down on him who does not, and the man who thinks his traditions are best must not condemn the man who doesn't, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. "

"One man considers the teachings of John Calvin to be a great way to understand the gospel; another man doesn't. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards Calvinism as special, does so to the Lord. He who sees a different emphasis in scripture does so to the Lord."

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. If you think one way of doing church is better than another, fine, but do all you can to make sure your brother who likes a different tradition still knows you love them."

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of doing church activities, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men."

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of different traditions. "

"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God (and on your blog... ???)"

God at His Computer

I saw this cartoon today.



Is this your view of God?

Does God pick some people to smite (or torture for eternity), and others to bless - for reasons unknown to us?

95 Thesis - Point 5 - Calvinism

Here's my 5th Point in My 95 Theses.

This point is not directed at all protestant evangelicals... but I am concerned at the level of influence Calvinism has. I’m concerned many are being influenced by this school of thought without understanding it.

So what are the 5 points of Calvinism (TULIP):

• T - Total Depravity
• U - Unconditional Election
• L - Limited Atonement
• I - Irresistible Grace
• P - Perseverance of the saints
  

Total Depravity

When man fell, sin permeated his entire being. This fall was so complete that man had no desire for God and righteousness. Man is so totally enslaved by sin that he can only choose evil; he cannot choose good. He is incapable of choosing God and His salvation. Man is totally blind and deaf to the gospel. Apart from a supernatural intervention from God, the gospel message absolutely has no effect on a person. Total depravity is also called total inability.

Unconditional Election

God has chosen some people to go to Heaven and other people to go to Hell. This choice is not based on any qualities of the person being elected. This selection is not based on God’s foreknowledge of who will "get saved" in the future.

Limited Atonement

God limited His atonement to only those who are elect. When Jesus died on the cross, He did not die for the sins of the whole world; He only died for those He wanted to go to Heaven.

Irresistible Grace

The grace that God extends to the elect cannot be refused. God puts into the hearts of the elect an irresistible desire to turn to Him and accept His salvation. This desire is so overpowering that no one can refuse it.

Perseverance of the Saints

Since God has determined who will get saved and they cannot resist His call, they are unconditionally and eternally secure in that election. Therefore, those who have been chosen to be saved will always stay saved. They cannot resist or lose their salvation.

(Above points taken from http://www.biblehelp.org/tulip.htm )

Some Concerns I have with this:

1)I don't think it fits with God's character of love for all his creation. If we say we are saved by grace alone, that it is all God's doing and not our own...
Do we also say the wicked are doomed by God's lack of grace alone, that it is all God's doing and not their own???

2) Some then conclude that God hates sinners. If God hates sinners can we hate them too?

3) Where is free will? Why would God create humanity yet not allow us to exercise free will?

4) If God does everything, we don't need to seek and pursue Him?

5) How I've witnessed "once saved always saved" being applied goes like this: We tell children when they say a prayer that they are saved and nothing can change that fact... but then if/when that child grows up and falls away from the faith we say "well, I guess they were not really saved to begin with... maybe they didn't mean it".

6) Yes there are some verses that support these positions. But there are other verses that seem to be ignored. If God wanted us to believe this system of beliefs I think it would have been clearly laid out... however it took 1500 years before John Calvin and his followers came up with this.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) - Total Depravity?

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) - Unconditional Election?

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

1 John 2:2 (NIV) - Limited atonement?

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Matthew 23:37 (NIV) - Irresistible Grace?

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing."

Acts 17:30 (NIV) - Unconditional Election?

"In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent."

Matthew 6:33 (NIV) - free will? Ability to seek God? Yes!

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Related Posts:

• John Calvin
  
• Does God hate the world?
• Do you support torture?
  
• Spurgeon on Calvinism - "Calvinism is the gospel"
  
• Total depravity
• Five points of Calvinism
  

Funny Link - are you a Calvinist?

purgatorio: Help! I'm Going Hyper!

A humorous way to discover if you are Calvinist. :)

Do you support torture?

I don't live in the U.S. but here's a story that saddens me. I think it's a sad reflection of a people who should be living as a reflection of God's love.

More than half of people who attend services at least once a week -- 54 percent -- said the use of torture against suspected terrorists is "often" or "sometimes" justified. Only 42 percent of people who "seldom or never" go to services agreed, according to the analysis released Wednesday by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

White evangelical Protestants were the religious group most likely to say torture is often or sometimes justified -- more than six in 10 supported it. People unaffiliated with any religious organization were least likely to back it. Only four in 10 of them did.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/04/30/religion.torture/index.html

More than 60% of people who attend 'Evangelical' churches at least once a week say torture is often or sometimes justified against suspected terrorists.

Only 42% of people who seldom or never go to church believed the same.

How could this statistic be true? Why could people who know the love of Christ, who have used the phrase "what would Jesus do", support torturing suspected terrorists?

Could the way they view the work of the cross play into it. They see God torturing and killing His own Son....

Or does the idea of double predestination and the traditional view of Hell play into thinking that since God has chosen those who will remain unsaved and He plans to torture them for eternity... it must be OK for us to do the same here too with those who are obviously unsaved.

:(

God I pray that your people would get a personal glimpse of who you are, and portray that image to a broken world.

Does God Hate the World?

Yikes... I'm having a hard time with this... it saddens me that some hold such a negative view of my Father, and are trying to spread this message about my Father. I don't believe this message is what my Father's lost children need to hear.

OK... this first one is a bit extreme, but I believe some caution should be taken as this is where the road of Calvinism sometimes goes:

http://www.godhatestheworld.com/

I guess if you are OK believing that man is totally depraved and incapable of choosing to follow God... and that God has chosen that a few elect will be saved, and that He has chosen that the masses should be tormented in hell for eternity... it's not too far of a leap to believe that God hates the world.... but thankfully most Calvinists don't take it this far.

But then I was wondering what some other influential Calvinists' positions were...

Mark Driscoll:

"The whole “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” -- that’s the wrong place to start. “God hates you and its going to go really really bad forever!” – hey now that is true…"

(and earlier)

"It says it in Psalm 5:5 “I hate -- or it says, You hate all who do evil”. Now let this settle. People say things like “God doesn’t hate anybody!” Yes he does! He hates tonnes of people! He does. Some people say “that’s not fair”. Course its fair! You hate people! And God’s far better than you and he knows a lot more people!"

http://obscenebeauty.blogspot.com/2007/11/does-mark-driscoll-believe-in-god-of.html

Jonathan Edwards

"The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much in the same way one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect, over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked: His wrath towards you burns like fire: He looks upon you as worthy of nothing else but to be cast into the fire: He is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in His sight: you are ten thousand times more abominable in His sight than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours." (Sinners In the Hands of an Angry God, July 8, 1741)

John Piper

"But it wasn't always so for John Piper. There was a time when the mountain of granite was not under me but over me, ready to fall and crush me. It was the mountain of God's wrath against my sin. God hated me in my sin.

God Hates Unrepentant Sinners

Yes, I think we need to go the full biblical length and say that God hates unrepentant sinners. If I were to soften it, as we so often do, and say that God hates sin, most of you would immediately translate that to mean: he hates sin but loves the sinner. But Psalm 5:5 says, "The boastful may not stand before thy eyes; thou hatest all evildoers." And Psalm 11:5 says, "The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates him that loves violence."
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1985/515_Those_Whom_He_Called_He_Also_Justified_Part_1/

So these guys seem to agree that God hates sinners.

Does the logic then go that I should hate sinners too because God does?

Yes there are verses that talk of God's wrath, and hate towards sin and sinners. (Mostly in the OT).

But I believe we need to emphasize the following:

God is love:

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (1 John 4:7-9 NIV)

God loves the world (John 3:16).

God's love towards sinners:

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NIV)

I believe the description of love 1 Corinthians 13 should apply to my God as well... so for the sake of this discussion I'm going to replace 'I' with 'God'.

1 Corinthians 13 (modified some)

If God speaks in the tongues of men and of angels, but has not love, He is only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If God has the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if God has a faith that can move mountains, but has not love, He is nothing. If God give all He possess to the poor and surrenders His body to the flames, but has not love, He gains nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
... (some skipped) ...
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Am I wrong in substituting God into the passage above? If God is love, then I think not.

Please don't portray my God as anything but a God of love!

Think about the story of the prodigal son... did the Father ever hate the prodigal son? If my children ever left me and ignored all my advice would I ever hate them? No! And I believe our heavenly Father has an even stronger love for all His children, whether they are in a restored relationship with Him or not.

OK... that's enough for now... I may look at more verses later... I'm seeing that this is a larger topic than I originally thought.

John Calvin 500 years

I've made a few posts related to John Calvin and Calvinism lately, but I had no idea this week marks 500 years for John Calvin's influence. I had no intention of showing disrespect at a time when other were celebrating the life of John Calvin.

So here's a positive quote about John Calvin:

"When he had died, all Geneva desired to see his body, as if he were a medieval saint or one of those relics that he had so sardonically mocked. But he had seen to it that there should be no posthumous canonization and left orders that he should be buried in an unmarked grave. Thus his death and burial were of one piece with his life; as a good witness, he would not be regarded, but bent all his energies in life and death to making Jesus Christ alone great, and making that greatness visible."
http://www.desiringgod.org/media/pdf/books_mpc/mpc.pdf

I appreciate that John Calvin did not desire to take attention away from Christ.

Would he be pleased with all the attention his name still receives?

Spurgeon on Calvinism

"Every heresy, if brought to the touchstone, will discover itself here. I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor."

http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm

"Calvinism is the gospel" ????

When Jesus preached the good news of the kingdom of God was he preaching Calvinism?

Is there any evidence that the 5 points of Calvinism where widely accepted in Christianity before the days of John Calvin? I suspect not. The reason it is called Calvinism likely has something to do with John Calvin.

I suspect Calvinism is not the gospel, or the 5 points of Calvinism would be a central message of our scriptures.

Also, if Calvinism is the gospel, it is not good news for all people. Calvinism can only be good news for the elect. For those whom God chooses to punish, it's really bad news.

Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Mark 16:15 (NIV)

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Matthew 24:14 (NIV)

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Playdough Scripture Luke 2:10

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for the elect all the people."

Luke 2:10 (Playdough Version)

Five Points of Calvinism

Sorry, this post may be too elementary for some, but I suspect many in the pews do not know the basic beliefs some of their leaders hold...

I've been doing some reading on the 5 points of Calvinism. I faintly remember learning this stuff back in my days at Bible college. I think I recall thinking it seemed a bit far fetched back then. I remember some debates over dinner in the cafeteria, and then just ignoring it.

But now as I'm rethinking the tradition I've belonged to, I keep coming back to the influences of John Calvin.

I suspect that the average person in the pews of evangelical churches do not know what the 5 points of Calvinism are, or know much about the man John Calvin ( In a previous post here I discovered some disturbing info that I didn't learn in my Bible school days.)

However it seems that there are some influential Christian leaders that hold to these 5 points of Calvinism. They may not emphasize this fact in every message, but these basic beliefs they hold do influence their message... so I think it's worth studying what some of the underlying beliefs of these leaders are. I suspect many Christians are being influence by 5 point Calvinist, but don't even know it.

Here's a few influential Christian leaders who hold to 5 point Calvinism.

• John Piper is a 5 point Calvinist - he actually adds two more points to be a 7 pointer
• Mark Driscoll claims he's a 5 1/2 point calvinist
• John MacArthur

... and others, but I'll end my list there since these are the only ones I found that I've been influenced by.

So what are the 5 points of Calvinism (TULIP):

• T - Total Depravity
• U - Unconditional Election
• L - Limited Atonement
• I - Irresistible Grace
• P - Perseverance of the saints
  

Total Depravity

When man fell, sin permeated his entire being. This fall was so complete that man had no desire for God and righteousness. Man is so totally enslaved by sin that he can only choose evil; he cannot choose good. He is incapable of choosing God and His salvation. Man is totally blind and deaf to the gospel. Apart from a supernatural intervention from God, the gospel message absolutely has no effect on a person. Total depravity is also called total inability.

Unconditional Election

God has chosen some people to go to Heaven and other people to go to Hell. This choice is not based on any qualities of the person being elected. This selection is not based on God’s foreknowledge of who will "get saved" in the future.

Limited Atonement

God limited His atonement to only those who are elect. When Jesus died on the cross, He did not die for the sins of the whole world; He only died for those He wanted to go to Heaven.

Irresistible Grace

The grace that God extends to the elect cannot be refused. God puts into the hearts of the elect an irresistible desire to turn to Him and accept His salvation. This desire is so overpowering that no one can refuse it.

Perseverance of the Saints

Since God has determined who will get saved and they cannot resist His call, they are unconditionally and eternally secure in that election. Therefore, those who have been chosen to be saved will always stay saved. They cannot resist or lose their salvation.

(Above points taken from http://www.biblehelp.org/tulip.htm )

Some Concerns I have with this:

1)I don't think it fits with God's character of love for all his creation. If we say we are saved by grace alone, that it is all God's doing and not our own...
Do we also say the wicked are doomed by God's lack of grace alone, that it is all God's doing and not their own???

2) Where is free will? Why would God create humanity yet not allow us to exercise free will?

3) If God does everything, we don't need to seek and pursue Him?

4) As for once saved always saved... how I've witnessed that being applied to real people. We tell children when they say a prayer that they are saved and nothing can change that fact... but then if/when that child grows up and falls away from the faith we say "well, I guess they were not really saved to begin with... maybe they didn't mean it". So I'm going to just leave this one up to God to be the judge.

5) Yes there are some verses that support these positions. But there are other verses that seem to be ignored. If God wanted us to believe this system of beliefs I think it would have been clearly laid out... however it took 1500 years before John Calvin and his followers came up with this.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) - Total Depravity?

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) - Unconditional Election?

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

1 John 2:2 (NIV) - Limited atonement?

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Matthew 23:37 (NIV) - Irresistible Grace?

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing."

Acts 17:30 (NIV) - Unconditional Election?

"In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent."

Matthew 6:33 (NIV) - free will? Ability to seek God? Yes!

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Related Posts:

• I Don't Understand Predestination
• John Calvin
  
• Does God hate the world?
• A positive post on John Calvin's birthday
• Spurgeon on Calvinism
  
• Total depravity
  

Playdough Scripture 1 John 2:2

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours - the elect but also for the sins of the whole world."

1 John 2:2 (Playdough Version)

Playdough Scripture 1 Tim 2:1-4

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men only those he predestines to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for those he chooses all men —the testimony given in its proper time."

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (Playdough Version)

Total Depravity

I'm trying to get an understanding on the doctrine of Total Depravity:

Total depravity is the fallen state of man as a result of original sin. The doctrine of total depravity asserts that people are by nature not inclined to love God wholly with heart, mind, and strength, but rather all are inclined to serve their own interests over those of their neighbor and to reject the rule of God. Even religion and philanthropy are destructive to the extent that these originate from a human imagination, passions, and will. Therefore, in Reformed Theology, God must predestine individuals into salvation since man is incapable of choosing God.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_depravity

I've always thought this Calvinist doctrine was a bit extreme... but hadn't considered how it could negatively impact one's view of God.

It is related to the concept of predestination:

"By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predestination_(Calvinism)

So, the way I read it... those who are not predestined to love God, those who are not part of the elect, are not capable of choosing God on their own free will. So God punishes (eternally?) those who he does not choose to love Him.

Yes, this view of God keeps his elect humble... there is nothing for the elect to boast about (and that is good). But is this a healthy way to view God? Did God create billions of people who have no ability to choose him, and then does he punish them for nothing they've done but because He didn't choose them to be His elect?

If we say we are saved by grace alone, that it is all God's doing and not our own...

Do we also say the wicked are doomed by God's lack of grace alone, that it is all God's doing and not their own???

This doesn't seem like a great way to view God... or maybe I'm missing something.

I know there are a lot of passages that describe how sinful we are, and that our best efforts are like dirty rags... but is there Scripture that says we are incapable of loving God on our own? If so, why is the Bible full of commands that tell us to love God... would God command us to do something we are not capable of doing? If He's just going to make some of us love Him, then why would he command us.

Consider a family, which often is a shadow of how our relationship with God should be. Children often act selfishly, but there are other times that they do have the ability to love unselfishly. I've witnessed many unselfish moments from my children where they are willing to give anything to help someone in need, or show their affection to someone they love.

Yes, our human tendency is to be selfish and full of sin... but I think it's a bit extreme to say that we lack the ability to choose to be unselfish and choose love. I think a healthier way to view our relationship with God our father would be one where He gives us the freedom to choose to love Him.