Life, Love, Faith, Reviews, Whatever comes to Mind to write about.
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him" - John Piper, Desiring God.
I first became aware of the writer Matthew Paul Turner (MPT from now on) when someone I follow on Twitter re-Tweeted one of his tweets. I was curious to read more about him, not because I agreed with what he said, quite the opposite in fact. I don’t remember exactly what the comments said but I seem to remember it was making fun of either Reformed Theology or possibly John Piper. Anyway it was enough to peek my curiosity so I started to follow him on twitter and read some of his Blog 'Jesus Needs New PR' (The blog title may give you a hint of his agenda).
It wasn't long before I stopped reading his blog and some time later I stopped following him on Twitter. The reasons will become clearer.
Any way a few months ago Christian Audio gave away his book ‘Churched’ as their free monthly download. So, since it was free, I downloaded it to see if I could try and understand where MPT was coming from. The book has the following description:
He spent his childhood trapped within the confines of countless bizarre, strict rules. And lived to tell about it.
In this first-hand account, author Matthew Paul Turner shares amusing–sometimes cringe-worthy–and poignant stories about growing up in a fundamentalist household, where even well-intentioned contemporary Christian music was proclaimed to be “of the devil.” churched is a collection of stories that detail an American boy’s experiences growing up in a culture where men weren’t allowed let their hair grow to touch their ears (“an abomination!”), women wouldn’t have been caught dead in a pair of pants (unless swimming), and the pastor couldn’t preach a sermon without a healthy dose of hellfire and brimstone. Matthew grapples with the absurdity of a Sunday School Barbie burning, the passionate annual boxing match between the pastor and Satan, and the holiness of being baptized a fifth time–while growing into a young man who, amidst the chaotic mess of religion, falls in love with Jesus. (Cited from amazon.co.uk)
The Audio Book version that I listened to was read by MPT himself which I guess added to the experience as His reading of his own book clearly added extra weight and humour to the words.
Several things struck me after I had finished listening to the book:
Firstly I have no experience first hand of that kind of Fundamentalism. The only thing that comes close was an evening when my first church invited some man to talk about secular music to the youth group. I was about 18 at the time. He was a nutter quite frankly and saw the devil in everything. I quickly learnt to filter out that kind of nonsense.
I have heard about that kind of US fundamentalism and have read the odd article from people with that kind of viewpoint. Not growing up in a Christian home I cannot imagine what it would be like to be a child in a grace filled Christian home let alone one so rigidly moralistic and graceless.
There are some areas of UK Christianity that are very moralistic in nature but I have not personally come across that level of Fundamentalism, described by MPT, in my 22 years as a Christian believer. There were some friends at university that came from a fairly moralistic, Baptist upbringing and struggled to cope living outside of that bubble. With some predictable results of going off the rails a little.
Secondly, although I do not in any way doubt the sincerity in which the book was written, I struggle to accept that much of what was written has not been embellished by MPT’s adult self. I struggle to remember conversations that happened last week let alone detailed conversations I had as a child. Since this book is a series of narratives of various stages of MPT’s growing up it is full of these conversations.
We all filter and interpret our memories through the life lenses we are currently wearing. That is not to accuse MPT of lying or making stuff up. However he has clearly been deeply affected by growing up in such a strict environment and many of the subtle points he is making come through narratives that are time wise his childhood but message wise most certainly his adult self.
Thirdly it can only be by the Grace of God that he is even a believer today. Some of the incidents described are literally ‘you could not make this stuff up’ stories. Enough to crush and stifle the life and soul out of any person.
However, back to the reason I could no longer stomach reading his blog or following him on Twitter. It is fully understandable to be angry and frustrated with the Fundamentalism in which he grew up. Who wouldn’t be? But much of his twitter stream and blogging is filled with poking fun at and maligning anyone who could be broadly categorised as Reformed or Calvinist. Particular targets are the likes of John Piper and Mark Driscoll (which is odd as the fundamentalism that MPT experienced, Driscoll pokes fun at all the time). That is not of course to say that they are above criticism as no one of course is. However Piper, Driscoll and the pastors, teachers and groups they are associated with are as far from MPT’s fundamental experience as you can get. Their whole message is ‘Grace’ which of course is anathema to moralistic fundamentalism.
What saddened and yes annoyed me most was the comments that others made on his blog. Now Calvinists have a reputation for being harsh, but I have never read more angry, insulting and blatantly Un-Christian views than I read from people on his blog comments against anyone in the Reformed camp.
I use twitter and read blogs for one main reason, to learn more about and grow in my Christian faith from gifted and wise teachers and writers. If I find the blogs of the people I follow on twitter no longer serve that purpose or in fact have a negative affect on that purpose I no longer give them my attention or time. Different views on theological issues are welcome, but when those views are nothing more than childish digs why waste time with them.
MPT if a gifted writer and communicator. Sadly however his childhood experience has so blinded him that he seems to now lump anyone who he does not agree with and is on the more conservative side into one category, Fundamental.
No MPT, Jesus does not need new PR, that is a very arrogant. The Church is Jesus’ body on earth despite itself. What everyone needs is to know, understand accept and experience is the unconditional Grace which he freely offers to all. That is the message of true Reformed theology which you seem to so dislike!
Ok, I know that is a provocative Title and of course it is intended to be ;-). Last week I attended an evening where a well-ish known Christian was speaking, who has a ‘Healing Ministry’. This was the second of Two evenings put on by a local church.
Firstly this Blog post is not meant in any way to personally criticise a fellow brother in Christ. This is simply me trying to work my faith out and when I come up against something that I find a contradiction I need to get my head round it.
The evening consisted of a singing time of Worship. Then a ‘talk’ followed eventually by what I am going to call ‘doing the stuff’. Sadly just as the ‘doing the stuff’ started I had to leave, as it was 9:40 and the car park I was in shuts at 10:00, but I digress. The ‘talk’ consisted of stories where this person had been used by God in various situations for miraculous healing of others, interspersed with ‘teaching’ from the Bible. Herein lies the issue. It is good to hear stories of God healing people as this builds faith and that is not where I had a problem. It was the ‘teaching’ that was brought that I was, to put it mildly, astonished to hear.
There was one important thing that the person said that I totally agreed with. That when praying for healing you don’t have to tell God what to heal and you don’t need to convince God to do so by many words. A simple ‘be healed in the name of Jesus’ is all that is needed, the rest is up to God. This is largely what Jesus did and what the Bible records the Apostles doing. Great we can agree on that! The whole issue of how ones faith interacts with God’s sovereignty and the resulting healing or lack thereof is another issue entirely. I am not going to go into that here as I don’t have any semblance of a coherent understanding of it theologically.
However apart from that one point, what was taught as being from scripture seemed to me wrong on so many levels and I have not heard a mangling of scripture like that in quite a while. However what is clear is that after I left there were several medically verifiable miraculous healings that I am certainly not going to credit to any power apart from God Himself.
So what do you do with that? Clearly incorrect biblical interpretation yet God powerfully using this person in the area of healing. My approach to these things is always to measure anything I see by the plumb line of scripture. Or be a Berean (Acts 17:10-11). For me if I don’t see it in scripture at least in principal then I do not accept it. I absolutely, 100% believe that God can and does heal today miraculously, I have seen it.
My theological view point is most definitely Reformed and I truly believe it most accurately reflects what scripture teaches. But clinging so close to the importance of right doctrine can have the effect of quenching the spirit. This is possibly why churches that hold to reformed doctrine tend to be very conservative and not actively move in the power of the spirit. New Frontiers churches seem to be fairly unique in this area. NFI is rooted in Reformed doctrine yet is clearly charismatic in its expression of the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit.
I totally believe in the absolute sovereignty of God. I totally believe that the gifts through the Holy Spirit seen in the New Testament are for today's church in whatever measure God sees fit to pour out and on whomever He desires. I would even go as far to say that holding a reformed view of scripture does not contradict or stand against the active gifts of Holy Spirit in healing, prophecy, tongues etc.. and actually supports it. It is the holding to certain traditions, viewpoints or teachings of the Reformed Giants of the faith so tight that possibly quenches the spirit.
Therefore whilst I may disagree with much of the teaching and emphasis that comes out of the likes of Bill Johnsons ministry at Bethel Church who this person speaking was certainly related, God is clearly using the ministry to perform amazingly miraculous healings. So I give God the Glory for that!
So where does this leave us? Someone wiser than myself offered these points:
Miracles only endorse the power of God not the man.
Miracles only endorse the power of God not the mans teaching.
Miracles only endorse the power of God not the mans life or lifestyle.
All I can say again is that God is sovereign and who am I to question who He chooses to use as part of His divine redemptive plan. I will continue to hold to the closed handed issues that the Bible is very clear on and I will endeavour to passionately seek and treasure God alone as my ultimate and only source of true joy and only way to salvation. I most definitely want to have a far deeper experience of knowing God more intimately and being open to the working of the Holy Spirit in as yet unimaginable ways, but without throwing my intellect and brain out the window. I repeat we must always measure any and all spiritual experience we may have against the unmoveable benchmark of Gods word. Let none of us, whatever doctrinal position or tradition we hail from, just believe what we have seen or heard without testing the spirits (1 John 4:1-3) and examining the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).
I know I have only scratched the surface of what it means to be a follower of Jesus and I pray we never become satisfied with where we are in all God has for us and all He wants to do through us. Let us remain humble, bearing with one another in Love (Ephesians 4:2) while we work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12-13).
Ok long title but this is some of the best and straightforward teaching I have heard on what Theologians call Divine Election. Basically regarding why do some people come to Christ and others do not. All this is taught from John 6:41-51 without dipping into the more obvious verses on Election in Ephesians and Romans.
This is such a difficult and controversial subject in Christianity. Whichever side of the argument you fall it has consequences for how you view what God’s Sovereignty means practically and how you interpret free will. I think he deals fairly and clearly with the issue.
In the sermon JP deals with what would be termed the Calvinistic viewpoint and why he thinks it is the correct biblical interpretation, as do I and next week will deal with the alternative viewpoint, often referred to as Arminianism. Whichever view you have I would so recommend you take the time to listen to this teaching. If only to hear a different viewpoint if you disagree which is always a good thing to do anyway.
Click HERE for the website with the notes and link.
If you click the following link there is a brilliant summary and introduction to Calvinism from John Piper. If you have ever wondered what it is, who Calvin was and why it makes sense for many people then click HERE.
Also just cam acrossthis PDF book on the 'Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World'. Contains some arguments against the emergent church view of theology.
The following is one of the clearest explanations of the Sovereign free will of God in salvation that I have heard. Taken from John 3:1-10 is explains the process of how God the Spirit enables a person to come to saving faith in Christ. Outstanding teaching from Jon Piper here, enjoy!
This is possibly the most argued over doctrine in the Christian church. The point here is to present what the Bible says and how this can and has been interpreted. I am not about to tell you what you should or should not believe. Nor do I wish to place so much emphasis on this that it causes a stumbling block. Some issues of doctrine must be divisive some don’t need to be, this doesn’t. It is however important to grapple with difficult doctrines when they appear so obviously in scripture.
The debate has raged from the 4th Century to today. Most commonly focussed between French theologian John Calvin (1509 – 1664) and Jacob Arminius (1560 – 1609). The debate is over where you stand on the Doctrine of Divine Election and how a person comes to be saved.
‘No one who believes in the Bible disputes the fact that election is taught there. It isn’t the reality of election, or even its source, author, time, or goal that has elicited so much venom among professing Christians. It is rather the basis of divine election, that is to say, why and on what grounds some are elected to salvation and life and others are not.
Some contend that God elects some, who are bad who, notwithstanding their being bad, choose to exercise faith in Jesus Christ. It is on the basis of this foreseen faith that God elects them. This is the doctrine of Arminianism, named after the Dutch theologian Jacob Arminius (1560-1609). It has also been called Wesleyanism because of the influence of John Wesley.
There is another view that God elects some, who are bad who, because of their being bad, are not of themselves able to exercise faith in Christ. It is on the basis of his own sovereign good pleasure that God elects them. This is the doctrine of Calvinism, named after the French theologian John Calvin (1509-1564). ‘
However in looking at this we must recognise our limitations as finite fallen human beings. One web site says it very clearly ‘both systems fail to adequately explain the relationship between God’s sovereignty and mankind’s free will – due to the fact that it is impossible for a finite human mind to discern a concept only God can fully understand.’ (http://www.gotquestions.org/arminianism.html)
So What denominations Subscribe to each?
Faiths leaning at least in part in the Arminian direction include Methodists, Free Will Baptists, General Baptists, Churches of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Church of the Nazarene, Seventh-day Adventists, Mennonites, Pentecostals, and Charismatics. Denominations leaning in the Calvinist direction are grouped as the Reformed churches and include Particular Baptists, Reformed Baptists, Presbyterians, and Congregationalists. The majority of Southern Baptists, including Billy Graham, accept Arminianism with an exception allowing for a doctrine of eternal security. Many see Calvinism as growing in acceptance, and some well-known Southern Baptists such as Albert Mohler and Mark Dever have been trying to lead the Southern Baptist Convention to a Reformed view of faith.
Before I go in to what an actual Definition of Election might be I want to first start with some common ground we should all agree on and then list the Bible references that talk about election.
Common Ground
The common ground I am referring to here is what I believe is taught in Kings Church and what I am certain that the Bible teaches. This does not specifically state which side we adhere to and those who specifically teach one or the other may disagree with what I call our Common Ground.
Adam’s sin not only affected him but is passed on to all of us from birth. ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23) and ‘They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.’ (Psalm 14:3) – This is the Doctrine of ‘Total Depravity’
All are guilty before God and as such the right punishment is Death. ‘For the wages of sin is death...’ (Romans 6:23a)
God would still be perfectly just if he saved no one. No one is good enough to measure up to the standard of holiness God requires without intervention.
Bible Verses referring to Election
· Acts 13:48 - And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
· Romans 8:28-30 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified
· Romans 9:11-13 - though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— she was told, "The older will serve the younger." As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
· Romans 11:7 - What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened
· Ephesians 1:4-6 - even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved
· 1 Thess 1:4-5 - For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.
· 2 Thess 2:13 - But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
· 2 Tim 1:9 - who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began
· 1 Peter 1:1 -Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia
· 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light
· Rev 13:7-8 - Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain
· Rev 17:8 - The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.
· John 6:44 - No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day
Jesus’ Words on Predestination
“For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14).
“I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me’” (John 13:18).
“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).
“And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31).
“And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?” (Luke 18:7).
“For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will” (John 5:21).
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day” (John 6:37–39).
“I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen” (John 13:18).
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you” (John 15:16).
“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19).
Scriptures on Predestination
The primary texts on predestination are in Romans 9–11 and also Ephesians 1:3–11. The following are also helpful:
“. . . do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:28).
“The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it” (Acts 13:17).
“And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (Romans 8:29–30).
“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33).
“. . . though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call—she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’ What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills” (Romans 9:11–18).
“So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace” (Romans 11:5).
“What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened” (Romans 11:7).
“God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:27–28).
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:3–11).
“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29).
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:4–5).
“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10).
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness” (Titus 1:1).
“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious” (1 Peter 2:4).
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion” (1 Peter 1:1).
“Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).
It is quite clear that the bible talks frequently about God choosing/electing his people, us. But it is the basis of the Election that is really at the heart of the debate. So let’s define what we mean by Election.
Definition of Election
According to Wayne Grudem, a Calvinist, it is defined as: ‘an act of God before Creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure!’
Sam Storms, also a Calvinist, differentiates the two views thus: According to Arminianism, election is that act of God whereby he foreordains to eternal life those whom he foresees will respond in faith to the gospel. According to Calvinism, election is that act of God whereby he foreordains to eternal life those who, because of sin, cannot respond in faith to the gospel. (http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/what-is-election/)
Jack W. Cottrell argues from an Arminian point of view in his book ‘Grace Unlimited’ pp. 51-73. that ‘Through his foreknowledge God sees who will believe upon Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and become united with him in Christian Baptism; then before the foundation of the world he predestines these believers to share the glory of the risen Christ’ (p. 62)
Hopefully you get the idea and where the differences lie.
Core Beliefs of Each side
I will attempt to define the most common core beliefs of both sides. Note there are also differing views among each camp as well but this is what I understand to be each other’s viewpoint.
According to this doctrine, man in his present condition since the fall is so polluted with a principle of evil that every aspect of his being and personality is affected by it. The term depravity refers to the moral disposition or inclination of fallen man’s nature toward evil and against good. This principle of sin and moral pollution is such that man is by nature opposed to what is true and righteous. The inclination of his heart, the delight of his soul, the orientation of his will is toward wickedness. Nothing compels him to sin. He sins because he loves it. He revels in it. He has no taste for God, but relishes evil and pursues it with voluntary zeal. This may sound grim, but I believe that Scripture affirms it. In a moment we will have occasion to examine the relevant texts.
But man is not only depraved in his nature and will, he is totally depraved. Some have preferred the term pervasive depravity or extensive depravity inasmuch as the term total depravity can be misleading and perhaps say more about man’s sinful condition than Scripture permits. The point of each of these terms, whichever one you prefer, is that man’s depravity is not restricted to just one or several parts of his personality and being. It is not that man’s mind is depraved but not his will. It is not that man’s emotions are touched by sin but his heart is somehow insulated. The moral pollution that sin brings has touched and affected the whole of the person, the totality of his being.
Common Grace – But the doctrine of total depravity is not meant to deny that there are people who can be called ‘good’ in the world. The Calvinist, who affirms total depravity, also affirms common grace, according to which God not only restrains the full manifestation of the evil tendencies of the human heart but also, on a more positive note, enables the non-Christian to perform deeds of relative “good”.
John Murray, on Common grace writes, "is every favour of whatever kind or degree, falling short of salvation, which this undeserving and sin-cursed world enjoys at the hand of God”
God Restrains: Gen. 4:15; 20:6; 2 Kings 19:27-28; 2 Thess. 2:6-12 God Blesses: Psalm 104:10-30; 145:1-16; and 136:25
Consequently, when I speak of total depravity I do not mean that all men are as depraved as they possibly can be, nor that the depravity of their heart will always manifest itself equally in all respects at all times. Total depravity simply means that the whole of the individual, his heart, soul, spirit, and will, is affected by and enslaved to sin, thereby rendering him odious in the sight of God.
The doctrine of unconditional election asserts that God's choice from eternity of those whom he will bring to himself is not based on foreseen virtue, merit, or faith in those people. Rather, it is unconditionally grounded in God's mercy alone.
(Ephesians 1:4-6 - even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved)
Faith comes from God, as a gift, it does not originate in the unbeliever.
Conditional Election
Arminius defined election as "the decree of God by which, of Himself, from eternity, He decreed to justify in Christ, believers, and to accept them unto eternal life." God alone determines who will be saved and his determination is that all who believe Jesus through faith will be justified. According to Arminius, "God regards no one in Christ unless they are engrafted in him by faith."
Put another way, God's decree to save some and reprobate others is His predetermination to save those who believe (1 Cor. 1.21 - For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe) and His predetermination to reprobate unbelievers (John 3:36 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.).
Election is based on the condition of a person Believing the gospel message.
Limited Atonement (5 Point) Atonement Sufficient for All (4 Point)
5 point Calvinist would limit the Atonement to the elect only arguing it would be unjust for God to pay the penalty for some people's sins and then still condemn them for those sins, all those whose sins were atoned for must necessarily be saved.
4 Point Calvinists agree with Arminians that the Atonement is Universal, sufficient for all, but is only effective to the Elect.
Unlimited Atonement
Jesus' death was for all people, Jesus draws all people to himself, and all people have opportunity for salvation through faith.
The Atonement is only effective upon a persons Faith.
Irresistible Grace
When the Gospel call is made man on his own, is not able to respond. For the Elect the Holy Spirit effectively Regenerates a soul so that they can respond to the Gospel call internally and thus respond externally in faith and repentance.
What this means is that whereas everyone is called by God externally in that the gospel is preached to all, only the elect are called by God internally in that they alone are enabled to respond in saving faith.
We see much the same thing in 1 Thessalonians 1:5, in which Paul declares that his gospel did not come to the Thessalonians "in word only but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." Conceivably then, the gospel may indeed come to many in word only, that is to say, externally. They hear it with the ear but there is no response of faith in the heart. To others, the elect, the gospel comes not only in word but also in such a way that the Holy Spirit powerfully and efficaciously effects a saving response.
Resistible Grace (Prevenient Grace)
God takes initiative in the salvation process and His grace comes to all people. This grace (often called prevenient or pre-regenerating grace) acts on all people to convict them of the Gospel, draw them strongly towards salvation, and enable the possibility of sincere faith.
The offer of salvation through grace does not act irresistibly in a purely cause-effect, deterministic method but rather in an influence-and-response fashion that can be both freely accepted and freely denied.
Thus when a person responds in faith then the Holy Spirit regenerates the soul as a consequence.
Perseverance of the Saints
Traditional Calvinists believe in the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, which says that because God chose some unto salvation and actually paid for their particular sins, he keeps them from apostasy and that those who do apostasize were never truly regenerated (that is, born again). Non-traditional Calvinists and other evangelicals advocate the similar but different doctrine of eternal security that teaches if a person was once saved, his or her salvation can never be in jeopardy, even if the person completely apostasizes.
Eternal Security is Conditional
Arminians believe that future salvation and eternal life is secured in Christ and protected from all external forces but is conditional on remaining in Christ and can be lost through apostasy.
All believers have full assurance of salvation with the condition that they remain in Christ. Salvation is conditioned on faith, therefore perseverance is also conditioned. Apostasy (turning from Christ) is only committed through a deliberate, wilful rejection of Jesus and renouncement of belief.
We will now look very, very briefly at some of the questions this raises and some of the defences of both sides.
Objections to the Doctrine of Election
Are we Really Free? – If Unconditional election is really true then we are not really free. We are just puppets, robots, not able to make real choices.
· We must define what we mean by freedom. Total Depravity means we are not free. What is Freedom of the Will? Or are we in Bondage to the will? Only God truly has free will. We do have choices but our will is not free, our choices are limited. The choices we make come from our nature and heart. A fig tree does not bear apples. Proverbs sais Out of the heart, the wellspring of life the decision are made. Romans 5:10. We would only ever choose Sin, death and Satan, we are spiritually dead! God causes us to choose Christ voluntarily!!!
We make real choices every day and God holds us accountable for them. From a human perspective all choices we make are real and felt choices even if in some divine way God has intervened and his will is that we make that choice. I do not pretend to understand it except that I believe God is sovereign over all creation and also that I have a real choice to type this.
Is God really Fair or Just? – If he elects some and passes over others is God’s grace awarded rather unfairly? It means some never had the chance to believe. Calvin used the term “but gives to some what he denies to others” in talking about Election and God (Romans 9:14-29)
It is understandable that people react in horror at this. It’s largely due to the word “denies” – God “gives to some what he denies to others.” For many, the word “denies” says two things, neither of which Calvin intended.
(1) To say God “denies” something to one that he “gives” to another implies that God is withholding what he “owes”. Thus for God to “deny” eternal salvation to some folk suggests he is refusing to give them what they deserve, or what he owes them, or what he as God is obligated to give them. Clearly, for some, this language portrays God as unjust.
(2) Secondly, the word “denies” suggests that people have asked God, pleaded with him, for eternal life and he “denies” it to them or refuses to grant it to them. They envision the scenario as follows: “Oh, God, please save me. I want to believe in Jesus and experience eternal life.” To which God responds: “Sorry. I didn’t elect you. My hands are tied.” In this case God appears mean and unloving.
In other words, unconditional divine election strikes many as portraying God as either unjust or unloving, or both. Clearly, Calvin intended neither of these ideas. His point is that none deserve or are owed anything by God except eternal death. No one can claim God as his or her debtor. Therefore, when God “gives to one what he denies” to another, we are to understand that neither deserves eternal life, but in sovereign mercy God grants eternal life to some but not all. Some receive mercy, the others receive justice, but no one is treated unfairly.
How can anyone object to the reason God elected one instead of another when no one knows what it is? I can tell you what that reason is not. It is not anything having to do with either the elect or non-elect, either foreseen or actual. God chose one instead of another because it was pleasing to God, and that is all the reason he needs. This is the heart and soul of the doctrine of unconditional election, that God sovereignly decided to show love and favour toward some who did not deserve it, but not all, without regard to anything in either. And the bottom line is: we don’t like that! (Sam Storms: http://www.enjoyinggodministries.com/article/divine-election-how-and-why-does-god-choose-part-ii/)
Doesn’t the Bible say God wills everyone to be Saved? Both sides agree that not everyone will be saved!
· 1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9, John 3:16-17, Matthew 11:28, Acts 17:30. Yes God does want everyone to be saved as God loves everyone and God invites everyone, all people to salvation and turn from sin trusting in Jesus. However many do not love or desire Jesus! Why? John 5:40, John 12:46-48, Acts 7:51, Romans 3:10-18, Ephesians 2:1-3 God’s desire, heart and invitation is for people to come to Jesus. People chose to reject Jesus and have no one to blame except themselves! (Total Depravity)
· Calvinist would say that God deems his own glory more important than saving everyone and that God’s own glory is also furthered by the fact that some are not saved.
· Arminians would say that the preservation of Man’s Free will is more important to God than salvation.
· So they are different on the nature of God. Reformed is that God’s highest value is his own glory and the Arminian system is that God’s highest value is the free will of man.
How does God’s sovereignty and providence balance against our understanding of Free Will? Does God’s sovereignty mean He is in total control of everything or does His desire to maintain our Absolute Free Will mean He has given up absolute control? (I am not about to answer that here and the references below give detailed responses to this)
Calvinistic View of Election
Calvinists believe that Election in the New Testament is seen as:
1. A comfort to believers that God will act for our good in all circumstances as he has done from eternity to eternity out of Love.
2. A reason to Praise God. Eph 1:5-6 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13. Since our salvation has nothing at all to do with anything in us.
3. An encouragement to Evangelism. 2 Timothy 2:10. Paul knows that God has chosen some to be saved and sees this as an encouragement to preach the Gospel. It is a guarantee of success in preaching.
Defence of the Calvinistic Viewpoint
1) Election is not a fatalistic way to view the world. A Nothing that we do matters view. The New Testament present salvation as something brought about by a personal God in relation to personal creatures. Ephesians 1:5. We make willing choices as real persons and that these choices are real choices because they do affect the course of events in the world.
2) Election is not based on God’s foreknowledge of Our Faith. Looking at Romans 8:29. Firstly because this is a foreknowledge of a person not of a fact about something they would do. Secondly because scripture never speaks about Our faith as the reason God chose us. 2 Timothy 1:9. Thirdly Election based on something good in us (our faith) would be the beginning of salvation by merit. If the ultimate determining factor in whether or not we are saved is our own decision to accept Christ then we may come to think we deserve some credit for doing so. Or that we are somehow more wise than those who chose to reject Christ. Ultimately what makes the difference between someone who does accept Christ and someone who rejects Christ? If you answer that it is based on something God does then at its core it is based on Grace alone. If you answer that the difference is something in man, ie: Faith, then salvation depends on a combination of grace plus human ability. Fourthly Predestination based on Foreknowledge still does not grant absolute freewill. If God looks into the future and sees person A will believe and person B will not then their destinies are still determined and cannot be otherwise. But determined by what? If not God then who or what? Conclusion then that Election is Unconditional!
Defence of an Arminian Perspective
A. Human Free Will (libertarian freedom) is assumed everywhere in the Bible
Definition of Libertarian Freedom: We are free in choosing one thing if, all things being just what they are when we make our choice, we could have chosen differently. That is, libertarian freedom requires the so-called “power of contrary choice” or the “ability to choose otherwise.”
B. The Universal Love of God (e.g., John 3:16) rules out God selecting some and not others
C. The Absolute Justice of God (e.g., Psalm 119:137; Hosea 14:9) means God can have nothing to do with evil
From Me!
This is a very difficult topic to understand let alone come to any conclusion about. Both sides have good arguments for their position and against the other. Certainly historically Calvinist have been less that gracious to the other side of the fence. What is most important is what the Bible actually says and not on what a particular person thinks it says. For this we must approach scripture as open to the Holy Spirit as possible. We must wrestle with difficult passages from the Bible. Ultimately we must trust in Gods Goodness, Love, Grace, Mercy, Justice and that He is Sovereign. Whichever side you eventually come down on it does not mean you are right! Whatever the actual process involved in a person becoming a Christian surely the most important point is that they do respond to the Gospel and give their lives to Christ.
