Do I have a choice?

Let's be honest, Calvin and Hobbs is more fun than the views of Calvin the theologian!  Calvin and Hobbs is full of color and childlike imagination. 

Not so Calvin the theologian!  Have you ever read Calvin's Institutes? They are very heavy and do not have any cartoons in it!  Not a lot of fun.

Jesus said we must become "like children" if we are to understand the Kingdon.  If this is true then is it possible He likes Calvin and Hobbs better than the Institutes?  Maybe this is an unfair question but it makes a point ... the Calvin arguments are for a very limited group of high-intellect folks that are not very often child-like.

  

I fell in with this camp for years.  I read many of the "Reformed" writers of the 17th century forward.  I went to the conferences and bought the books (Piper, Sproul, Boice, etc.) but many of the nagging questions (see previous post) and the inability to marry the "reformed" view with Scripture and life were too much to ignore.

Is it not possible that we need another reformation?  Maybe we need to reform ourselves again.  Maybe we need a childlike response to these things again.  Maybe we need to add some pictures to our limited worldview. 

Is there a way to acknowledge God's sovereignty and yet allow people to make choices?  Do people have a will in salvation?  Can these work together?

What if we have interpreted the Bible wrong?  What if God did elect some folks to maintain the Kingdom message through time?  What if God chose and even predestined key individuals for the purpose of proclaiming salvation to the nations?

What if the highest election was His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and those whom He would choose to follow Him?  What if we are wrong on the whole deal and miss the fact that people are saved by hearing the message (Romand 10:9-10; Ephesians 1:13) of the Kingdom proclaimed by those the King had chosen?

Can any of this be supported by Scripture?  Yes, and yes again!

Stay tuned for more.

 

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Calvinism: The Questions

I want to hear from you this week. I've been processing the Calvinism vs. Free Will stuff for some time now.

I was saved. Then I met some "reformed" friends who introduced me to the thinking of Luther, Calvin, Bunyan, Whyte, Edwards, Rutherford and some of the newer kids on the block (Sproul, Boice, etc). These were great men with great thoughts about God.

The reformed writers brought an intellectual, vertical approach to Christianity that appears to be lacking in so many circles. They elevate Christ. They emphasize God's sovereignty. They bring the gospel back to it's proper starting place ... God.

Yet, as I grew in appreciation I also grew in apprehension. Very few things in the modern Christian Church create as much division than the issues raised by the folks that believe only a select few are chosen by God.

So, I want to pose some questions about this. I want to hear from you. I want to see comments on your opinions. I'd like to see Scripture to back it up if you are able.

Questions:
1. Do we have a choice in salvation? Does our will play a part in the salvation process?

2. Does God choose some and reject others? If so, on what basis? Is this equally seen in the NT as in the OT?

3. Does God control each and every decision we make? Does God cause a loved one to die in a car accident or get cancer? Does God cause some to gain wealth while others he causes to remain poor? Are there other circumstances involved (hard work, timing, effort, "luck", inheritance, genetics, etc.). How do these work together?

4. If all is set in stone, why are we commanded to ask, seek knock? Why are we told by Jesus to be persistent with God in prayer that we might get what we request? What is that about?

5. Is it possible that God's election of a select few and free will of many others can coexist without confusion? In other words, can some be called by God to salvation and others get there by choice? Can both exist without issue?

Welcome to the deep end of the pool folks! Welcome to theology 301. Welcome to reflection on Scripture and life.

Here are the ground rules:
1. Share what you think and feel ... God made both.
2. Share without fear.
3. State facts supported by Scripture.
4. Do not attack another person, deal with views (no argumentum ad hominem)

God's richest blessing on you as we journey together.

Kevin

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.