In the realm of Christianity there are many who believe God hand selected those who would be saved and those who would ultimately go to hell. The followers of this belief system suggest that because mankind is in such a depraved state we cannot pick or choose for ourselves to follow and obey God, primarily because we have inherited Adam's sin from the garden of Eden. Therefore, since mankind cannot choose to follow God, God made the choice for us by selecting who would be saved and who would be go to hell before we ever committed and act of right or wrong. this doctrine is called the predestination. The premise of predestination ultimately leads to two questions that must be answered, What are the ramifications if predestination is true and does the Bible truly teach this?
The foundation of predestination was first established by John Calvin over five centuries ago, since then Calvinism has held a foothold within the denominational world of religious teaching. Predestination is the doctrine that suggests God hand picked, before our creation, who was going to be saved and who was going to go to hell. Ultimately, we do not have a choice in the matter of our own salvation because we are such a depraved being. The Logical question is, Does the Bible teach this doctrine?
One of the most used passages by those who believe in the doctrine of predestination is Ephesians 1:3-14. Most Calvinist cite Ephesians 1:4, "Just as He Chose us in Him before the foundation of the world," Apparently this passage screams predestination, however Paul effectively lists the attributes which God chose before the foundation of the world "that we would be holy and blameless before Him." Did God select us to be saved before we were born or is did God select that attributes that he desired for us to have as those who follow him? In verse five it says, "He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself," Paul is not stressing that God predestined our fate, but God did predetermine that those who would be holy and choose Christ would be adopted as son.
A prime example would be prospective parents who are seeking to adopt a child. The parents predetermine what characteristics the child should have, as well the adoption agency predetermines the characteristics the parents should have. The prospective parents can talk to the adoption agency and discuss,learn and meet the criteria set out by the adoption agency. If the child is older he or she knows that good behavior is a great characteristic, the adoption agency then attempts to teach the child how to act in a proper manner. In the same way we become adopted sons and daughters of God when we meet the predetermined criteria of salvation that God has set before us, which is completely fulfilled through Jesus' teaching and sacrifice for our sins.
Another primary passage used by those who support the doctrine of predestination is Romans 29-30, which states "For those whom he Foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son," this simply means that God did know all of us before we were born, (to say otherwise would suggest that God is not God) and that he predetermined for us, pre-desired for us all to be come like his Son Jesus, holy and blameless. Do parents desire the same thing from there kids before they are brought into the world? Do parents not desire for their kids to be polite to everyone they encounter? In verse 30 it says "and these who he predestined, He called, He also justified; and these whom he Justified, he also glorified." Does God not call us through the preaching of the Gospel? Is it not the Gospel that saves people? Does faith not come from hearing the words of God?(Romans 10:17). Justification and glorification comes from God when we respond to the gospel of Christ. Moreover, If your fate and my fate has already been decided by God why should we worship? Why should we study our Bible? Why pray to God? Does this not open the door way for us to live any way we pleased based on the fact that no matter what we do our fate has already been decided? A bigger question is how do those who follow the doctrine of predestination is, how do they know if they are saved? What about their children? Theoretically, they and their children could not be saved and there is nothing which can be done to improve their spiritual state? Is that the God of the Bible? Certainly not.
It is clear that scripture does not teach predestination. In fact the Bible teaches that salvation is for everyone not those that are some specific "salvation club." God desires that ALL men be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth(1 Timothy 2:4). God desires that all men come to repentance (1 Peter 3:9). God sent his son for the entire world (John 3:16). God desires that we all repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of our sins and that this promise is for everyone (Acts 2:38-39).
Therefore, the doctrine of predstination does not hold up under the microscope of the Bible. Which means, everyone is accountable to God for the choices and acts they committ throughout life, this includes choosing to accept Jesus as Lord or to deny him. Predestination ultimately limits the power of the Gospel to a certain group of men and women under the notion of divine pre-existing selection. The call is to all, the question is will you obey?
2 comments:
I've been referenced by my friend to this blog. I'm afraid I have to clear up some misunderstandings about the reformed view. Firstly, the concept of predestination was not established by John Calvin, but rather it appeared no later than Augustine in the fourth century, more than a millennium before the famed and often despised reformer. Secondly, those who profess the doctrine of predestination, or reformers, still hold that humans, elect or not, are held accountable to their sin. Although God may determine the eternal presence of the individual, he does not determine him or her to sin. Thirdly, everyone uses Scripture to back up that which they believe. Reformers and Armenians alike, prooftexting is just too easy for us as Christians to do. Rich Mullins said, "If we were given the Scriptures, it was so we could prove that we were right about everything, but that we could see that God is right and the rest of us are just guessing." The text says a lot of things, things that go for both sides of the argument. Jesus tells his disciples that He chose them, not the other way around; Paul explains that God retains the right to save and damn at His own discretion (Romans 9, which I've found to back the reformed view the most), but on the other hand: Paul also says that God doesn't want anyone to perish but that all should be saved. And Jesus opens up the choice for those who would follow Him to do so. So what we have seems to be a contradiction or at least a paradox in the text, but that shouldn't really surprise us anymore than the Incarnation surprises us: God and man, together!?!?!? The point is that the text says different things and we are left with that. I've heard some try to argue against Romans 9, but it seems to fall through, I've also heard some try to argue against the fact that God wants all to be saved, and again, that falls through. the reason is because the Scripture isn't there for us to feel good about it, but to show us the way to God. I wouldn't be so quick to throw predestination out as an unsound doctrine though, solely to the fact that there are scriptural references for it, whether you want it to be interpreted that way or not, because the text should always be first and foremost left to speak for itself. Eisegesis is a dangerous game, and its one that everyone plays. One thing that the reformed view does stress is man's inability to choose God by himself. Is this so hard to believe? Even if we are able to choose God, wouldn't it be so only with Grace? Anyway, I'm only partially in the reformed view, but I attend a Methodist Seminary, so I hear the other side alot. I think that the point I'm trying to make is that both views are represented in the text and therefore we shouldn't try to bash the other but work together to bring the lost to Christ. Hope this makes some sense, I realise that my fellow reformers are a bit militant in their views, so here's to understanding and collaboration.
Zach Lycans
to Zach:
Thank you so much for commenting on the blog. I appreciate the time you took out of your day post your message. This is the essential reason for the creation of this blog, to express views and the scriptures in the search for truth. I thank you for your heart and desire to examine the scriptures. I completely agree that we need to concentrate on bringing the lost to Christ. I would also like to thank you for the historical background that you have provided, your knowledge of history is very impressive.
However, I would like to discuss some of the points that you made.
The first point that you made would be the fact that God does hold everyone accountable for sin. I guess my question would be, if memebers of th elected continue in a life of sin, perpetual sin, are they still saved? Secondly, how does a member of elect know that they or their children are saved?
I would also like to discuss the point which you made about scripture. If we believe that God's word is divine, perfect,authoritative and final, how can they support both positions? would that not be God contradicting himself, considering the premise of predestination and choosing God are on completely opposite sides of the doctrinal spectrum? It is true that many people use the Bible to support what they beleive, but i think we would both agree that is where exegesis comes in. Those who cant or choose not to exegete scripture passages correctly can come away with different meanings for those passages. But ultimately, God's word is not relative, it is solid and is able to equip the man of God 2 Tim. 3:16. I think God's word is logical and able to be properly interpreted, with regard to salvational issues.
With regard to predestination, I think there is Biblical evidence that shows that it does not hold up under the microscope of the Bible.If God predestined everyone to either be saved or go to hell, did he predestine Adam to sin in the garden, because if he did then he authored evil. But if he gave Adam free will, then Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and are held accountable for what they did. Secondly, I think the Bible expresses that we do not inherit sin but that we can freely be righteous or wicked. In Ezekiel 18:20 it reads "The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity; nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself,"
In the following verses express the specifics of what happens if a wicked man becomes righteous and if a righteous man becomes wicked. The question is what covenant is this under? I think we would both agree that this is the Old testament. Well what does that have to do with anything? Well we are now under the New Testament, therefore we can understand that the New Testament is greater than the old. Under the logic of predestination, this would not hold up because you would be going from free will in the old testament (example Ezekiel 18_20-24) to God selecting people to be saved? This would be a contradiction of what scripture says.
I would love to know more about the position of predestination, it is indeed an interesting subject. I thank you for your time. You are certainly a very smart individual. I look forward to hearing from you again. have a great day!
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