Predestined by Love Pt 1

Excrepts from Predestined for love Pt. 1

Why I don’t like the idea of double predestination
Essays on the subject of choice, election and predestination

The Culprit: John’ Calvin’s Infamous Statement

By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen with regard to every man. All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends, we say that he has been predestinated to life or to death. (Calvin's Institutes, CH. 21, John Calvin P.568)

Election, Choice and Predestination

As far as Calvinists are concerned being elect, which is a final condition of a soul is solely a result of being predestined for that very outcome. The same group, which is predestined, is chosen in Christ and will be part of the elect who will live eternally.
The problems of Calvinism begin to become evident as we take the signet doctrines and begin to fit them into the whole council of God, which is His Word. If they don’t fit in perfectly then those who espouse these doctrines are in danger of only partly representing God and the unfathomable depth of His Word. Yes in Calvin the scriptures have been concisely and precisely organized into palatable doctrines but do they command the full range of God’s revelation? That is the test of Calvinism or any other theology that purports to have a full grasp of complex theological concepts and ideas. Perhaps the cohesive whole can only be found in God and not in any human system of theology. The question is whether such a Theological systems can reflect the whole truth of the bible. Is Calvinism such a system, which is blessed by God to serve his purposes? If not then where are its failings?

It is dully noted that Calvin wrote one of the greatest and best organization of God’s word into various theological and doctrinal statements most of which encapsulate the eternal truths of scriptures. The one exception from such an orderly treatment and organization in Calvin’s Institutes will have to be the controversial doctrine of predestination of the saved as well as the lost. Of course, I am saying this from the point of view of a protagonist. Calvinistic evangelical believers speak much of the beauty of his dissertations concerning God’s sovereignty, His unconditional election and His irresistible grace. They speak how biblical truths are preserved and stated so well in Calvin’s work.

Even Joseph Armenius who also got hung up on predestination spoke profusely of the greatness of the work Calvin had accomplished in his commentaries on scriptures. It should be noted that both believe in justification by faith alone and echoed the cry of the reformation ‘sola scriptura’ (scripture alone) to be the authority concerning issues of faith and life. Neither had problems with the orthodox creedal statements that the church has been able to establish so far. But when it came to how one’s salvation is determined they were in a sharp disagreement. One sees it as predetermined phenomena that manifests in time and the other as something decided during our lifetime here on earth dependent on our response to the gospel.



My Journey with this Issue

Unable to see eye to eye with my doctrinally sound friends, I wanted to find points of reconciliation. I knew my position sounded intuitively right, as I didn’t have to defend God as someone who would foreordain people to hell. I began to formulate some baby thoughts on the matter, which can be found scattered throughout this treatise. But from the struggle that ensued with the ideas concerned, gems of thought began to emerge. I was able to hone a much stronger argument to what I will term here as general election or the predestination of all of mankind (The first Adam) to salvation through Jesus (The second Adam). This will not contradict the statements of Paul in Ephesians concerning predestination, as the saints are a subset of all of mankind. A general election precludes no one but includes all as possible recipients of salvation if they would only believe. The word ‘Believe’ mentioned here should be understood in its strongest possible definition and not just as an intellectual accent to a truth. ‘To believe’ from the Greek word ‘Pisteuo’ is that which means to hold fast as true, to cling to and to trust with one’s whole heart.

My Calvinist Friends

They are more convinced of unconditional election and predestination than I am of my own Armenian theology. They feel that it preserves God’ sovereignty and foreknowledge and is therefore the better position. “It’s a wholly biblical doctrine” they say, that fits as a spoke in Calvin’s ingenious theological wheel coined as ‘Tulip’. This of course refers to The total depravity of man, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace and the perseverance of his saints. It should be noted “while the five points of Calvinism bear his name and are a reflection of his thinking, they were not articulated by him, and were actually a product of the Synod of Dort, which issued its judgments in response to five specific objections that arose after Calvin'stime.” (www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Calvin). Calvinists consider themselves blessed to be among the chosen few and believe they cannot do any wrong that could change their destination, which is a wonderful and peaceful life in heaven with the lord Jesus (I also bet that it comes with an additional angel pair fanning the suites up there. I say this to them in jest. This discussion needs humor as it often involves the sharpest of exchanges with people who are one’s brothers).

Some of these conversations have been with Christians with superior learning making me wonder if I have missed something or if I am suffering from deficient or even misguided Christian teachings. But no matter how humbly I listened, I couldn’t get over the fact that they were not bothered by their stipulations concerning the predestination of the damned. They seem to have no problem with the fact that some are said to come into the world with their fate pre-determined to go to the hot place. Between gulps of spaghetti or using some other amenities they seemed to be nonchalantly damning scores of people into an eternity without God without having a tinge of conscience about it.

However, I don’t believe they are no less concerned for souls than me. I often try to cajole them with my opposing argument. This often does not deter them and does not avail much in making them change their theological position. They jealously and admirably defend God’s grace and sovereignty in saving man. However, scriptures does not just say, “You are saved by grace” only, but at different places also says “You are saved by grace through faith.” Based on this idea, Armenians mount a rebuttal that credits faith as a human impetus necessary for salvation.

An Impetus

Even if initially given from God, and even if it’s a negligible amount compared to God’s infusion, there is still an impetus that needs to come from man in order to secure his salvation. The inflection point where God’s grace meets this impetus will determine the path to the destiny of a soul, either leading upwards to faith and glory or downward towards hell and damnation. Man’s impetus has to meet God’s ever ready and all sufficient grace positively (willingly) in order for him to be on the path to his soul’s salvation. But this is blasphemy to a Calvinist who thinks man is too depraved to seek out God or to choose Him. This is also the crux of the matter! Whichever side is able to prove its point will have leverage. Why is each group so determined that they are in the right, even as their opponents also believe themselves to be? This is because the issue has been a conundrum even for the greatest of theologians, dating all the way back to the church fathers and perhaps even going back much earlier into the old testament times of Solomon or even Job (Proverbs 16:4, Job 1). The book of Job especially gives a vivid picture of the dynamic struggle that must happen in every life before our eternal destinies are set.

What does the Bible say? What does Jesus say?

So the question in the final analysis becomes, “What does the Bible say?” How are the scriptures related to this issue to be understood and organized in order to have a cohesive non-contradictory whole? The strict double predestination of Calvinism will run into a stumbling block called ‘God’s love’, a doctrine well established through the cross. Man’s will and choice in the Armenian gospel that supposedly aids God as He saves a soul, runs into a perturbing doctrine to its thrust called grace, the unmerited favor bestowed upon an undeserving sinner having all sufficiency.

The compromise

The solution might be to say that, “God is love! Therefore, He bestows grace on all for salvation. However, He only requires a minute effortless show of cooperation called faith in order to carry out this sacred work of salvation to its fulfillment.” The subtleties of this complex picture will be transparent only to the all seeing eye of God. Who are thou, oh man, that thou thinks that thou can comprehend all things wrought in mystery” In this case it actually turns out to be a mystery because the area of activity for salvation is the human heart and the agent of this activity is God’s Spirit.

Those of us who are saved, all we know is that at some point we believed and now we live in the hope of a wonderful redemption. That God has been seeking us out from the beginning is now evident to us. That we are wretched before is evident. Why He loves us we don’t quite understand but that he loves us is also evident. Whether he loves some more in saving them will be pure speculation. To assume he seeks to save all affirms his fairness in giving mercy to all. To say that some will make themselves deserving of his eternal wrath can be supported well from scripture. To say these were brought into the world unredeemable is to place a big question mark on His character of being a loving father. Saying so in front of the opposing camp might be considered to be blasphemous or in the least endangers one of being though of as having a (huge) misunderstanding of God’s Word.

Saved by Grace Through Faith

Scriptures does not just say, “You are saved by grace” only, but at different places adds “You are saved by grace through faith.” If it had only said the latter then we would not need to preach The Word and the effects of atonement would take effect silently and invisibly as they do after belief has been born.



Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, Romans 4:16 (KJV)


For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephes. 2:8 (KJV)


Based on this idea, Armenians mount a rebuttal that credits faith as a human impetus necessary for salvation. The mercy and the graciousness of God has to be met with a trust and belief in man to spark his salvation. Isn’t that what it means to be born again? God fosters all of these things and being the gentleman leaves man’s gatekeeper, his will to make the final judgment as to their entrance and activation. Man is already fitted with this gatekeeper called ‘will’ along with his conscience for reasons of making good choices but in his shortsightedness he can use it negatively to choose to remain in sin and even to reject his own maker (Die in your sins). No one can deny this gatekeeper called ‘our will’ exists but one can completely deny, limit or magnify its role in salvation. All things are known to God beforehand and are foregone conclusions except for the fates of certain men who might use this gatekeeper negatively which results in them not appropriating the work of the atonement and frustrating God’s attempt to save them. Man has the choice to shrivel into his old nature and reject the gracious offer of salvation but God does all to convince him otherwise, including by reminding him of a dire destination called hell. He will not sovereignty override man’s will in order to save him. He is a gentle God (Gentle savior, gentle spirit like a dove). Therefore, He comes in gently to dissuade man from the calamities of his selfishness and his sin.

Even if initially given from God, and even if it’s a negligible amount compared to God’s part, there is still an impetus that needs to come from man in order to secure his salvation. A negative impetus against God’s graciousness will result in forfeiture of all of those benefits that come from it. This is the claim of Armenians. Why is each side so determined that they are in the right even as their opponents also believe themselves to be? This is because the issue is a conundrum even for the greatest of theologians. The above discussion on grace, faith and free will is the crux where the debate goes back and forth like children madly galloping a stationary seesaw. This is the place where each tries to leverage arguments for their side against the other. When it is oversimplified it leads to antagonistic division. Each side sees these ideas in a divergent manner by oversimplifying them. Seen in their true complexity they must fit into one true and cohesive whole whose subtlety can only be seen by God. Some things will therefore remain a mystery to us.

Predestined by Love PT. 2

Excrepts from: Predestined for Love Pt 2

Who is right? Am I right?

Am I right? Are my Calvinistic friends wrong in thinking this way? Perhaps they are not wrong. They probably see the beauty and connectedness of Calvin’s Tulip more than I do. A lot of them are smart educated compassionate people. Their belief that there are two types of sinners seems to explain a lot of the phenomenon that is happening around us. Some people in the world seem unredeemable and commit incomprehensible atrocities on their fellow humans.

While I was helping the sweet mature lady who is my neighbor, we fell into conversation about the Virginia tech murders and the person who had committed the crime, Seung-Hui Cho. She believed from the various talk shows she had listened that Cho’s problems had started long before he came here. His parents had hoped bringing him to the states would help his condition. She then concluded from this that she believes Cho was simply born mean or bad. Her conjecture immediately reminded me of the many conversations I had with my Calvinist friends. I began to wonder if she had not heard a Calvinistic sermon somewhere? Was Cho born bad? Was Cho an Esau? “Esau I have hated “ was an Old Testament verse Paul had used when discussing predestination. Calvinists use it today to defend their belief in unconditional election and predestination. This verse is especially applied to the second part of the destination pairs of heaven and hell, which they claim to be pre-determined.

In addition, a large part of the world still has not accepted Jesus as their savior after numerous evangelistic campaigns run by many high caliber Christian ministers. It’s true; there are a lot of bible verses that can be organized in the Calvinistic way of thinking. Also, some of the greatest Biblical minds, scholars and preachers have been firm believers and defenders of Calvinistic thought. I will even concede that it’s very possible that they might be right and that our so-called semi-Pelagian position may be wrong. I say all this for the sake of a healthy discussion and openness in debating this issue. But ultimately only God knows who is right and his plan will not be deterred by what either side claims to see in the scriptures. He simply is the ‘I AM’. But, Oh, that all Christians knew the whole truth and were united and armed, to enter the battle for souls that is set before all of us.

Sorrow for the lost

They often say to me, “Just enjoy your salvation! Be happy that you are among the elect” And I answer them back, “What about the lost?” and they are satisfied because for them it was meant to be. I sorrow for each one who is apart from Jesus because of what they could have become. I try to see each person by faith transformed into the image of the master and having His great stature and infinitely beautiful character. Seeing people unsaved is like seeing a plant stunted, unable to achieve its full potential for all are made to be in his image. But before any of that happens they must be born again. One lady was asked why she would prefer hell over heaven and replied that it was because that was where the people she cared for were to be found. Though her answer seems unwise yet her love for her people is to be commended. Even Paul says he would prefer to be lost if it would save his people the Israelites. Moses also interceded for Israel when the Lord wanted to destroy them and make a nation from his progeny.


Charity: The Rule of Christian Debate

Both sides on this issue confess faith in Christ as the only way to salvation. The issue should not be considered as one causing a serious error in doctrine, leading to heresy or as one that could seriously impair the spiritual life of a believer. It certainly is a controversial issue of differing outlooks and approaches to the faith once delivered unto all of us. These differences may appear to form a wide theological gap that cannot be bridged but some compromise should be tendered on both sides. Each side is trying to defend what they consider to be very sacred. The Calvinist adamantly claims predestination as a biblical doctrine and the Armenian staunchly defends God’s character of immense love for humanity from questions that arise in the strictest interpretations of the same doctrine. There will probably be both Calvinists and Armenians in heaven and by then the controversy would have become innocuous. Therefore, as we debate on either side we should be civil, open to hear the other’s point of view and be able to project Christian charity.


What is at Stake?

However, My call here is not to tie all the strings just yet. What is at stake is the way the gospel will be communicated by either of these groups. Let us give God the benefit of the doubt that, He only, is so very good that, He does not desire anyone to perish and therefore has not pre planned for anyone to fall into the terrible predicament of a horrible eternity without doing everything possible to save them. Let it never be said, He predestines some to an eternal fire as some Calvinists boldly speak and in a manner never communicated in the scriptures. He is in fact so involved in the salvation of each and every soul that only a continual hardening of one’s heart will make one to lose eternal life. “He will not strive with a soul forever!” We also have been given a part in the same striving for souls that we ought to play well.


A Wide-Open Invitation and Empirical Data

From a practical ministry point of view, you can judge under which system, a Calvinistic or an Armenian one that one is able to communicate Gods’ love clearly and therefore win souls for him. Thank you Billy Graham! I ask my flower loving friends, Why would then God predestine a non-Calvinist evangelist to be one of the most successful in our age? This is an empirical fact we do well to consider. I believe its because under preaching like Billy’s the doors are wide open and the invitation goes out to everyone and all can be saved if they want to be. The fisherman’s net is stretched out as far as it can go. Calvinists on the other hand ‘know’ in their heart that some were meant to be lost and will have to make a gospel presentation with that stipulation.

Do Calvinists rise to the challenge of world evangelism as their counterparts? Perhaps they are so overwhelmed with the formidableness of the task of world evangelism that they use partial predestination of the elect as a cope out not to put their hands to the plough. History of course will have exceptions to this accusation often leveled at Calvinists. George Wheatfield, Spurgeon and others like them were apparently consummate soul winners. Yet a non-Calvinist preacher is opportunistic and will go after every soul with everything he has. He will cast his nets wide to try to catch as many fish as he possibly can knowing as the master had said, that some caught in the net will have to be thrown back out into the waters (Matthew 13:47-50). This is the election and separation of the fish gathered through the preaching of the gospel. The net is God’s word and all those who do not receive Gods word will find themselves tumbling outside until they are ready to believe and do it. That is the mystery and the adventure being a consummate soul winner, everyone is up for grabs not just an elect few. Where are the altar calls in Calvinistic churches? Where is the invitation to come forward to receive Christ?


Valley of decision and an inflection point

The gospel testimony never shone brighter than when it did in Jesus time yet people still rejected Him. In a single inflection point, a life that could have changed recoils back into its old dark existence in unbelief, even when It has been illumined with enough knowledge to repent and seek the righteousness of God. A continual unbelief while being amply exposed to a witnessing of the truth of the gospel will lead to eternal condemnation (John 3,Romans 1:19; Hebrews 2:3). Peter says, “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation.” It’s these inflection points that separate the sheep from the goats. It’s this inflection point between faith and unbelief that extreme Calvinism doesn’t recognize in its zeal to attribute all to God’s sovereignty. It’s so instantaneous and happens so quickly that it’s missed; yet it does exist. It’s that brief moment after hearing a sermon that one decides to either to commit to its message or simply ignore it. It’s that moment one decides to ignore the statements of a co-worker who is a Christian. “The light has come but men loved darkness.”(John 3:19) All these moments of opportunity when unused add up to an indictment of a soul. It emanates out of the gentle character of God to ask permission before taking over our lives. We are said to be the bride and his very own body; but have you ever heard of a marriage without a proposal? It can also be likened to a doctor asking a patient’s to fill out a consent form in order to do extensive life saving surgery.

The rich young man and Agrippa the king are good examples of where we can see the above-mentioned turning point in scripture. Both could have been Christians but upon considering the cost decide otherwise (Acts 26:27, Mark 10:17-22). These souls were turned back into what was their old life. There are many today who are in the same condition. They say I know but I can’t. Many are in this valley of decision. The church also stands in this valley preaching, warning and exhorting for men to receive Christ. Nevertheless its not because of him who runs or him who comes but of God who will have mercy (Romans 9:15). Not all come for the truth and those who run don’t do so forever. David must have been one who tried to run for he says, “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there”(Psalm 139:7-13 KJV). So God’s love pursues people even until they see the ruin that awaits them so they can repent. He is patient toward each soul. Those of us who have received Jesus do so because we dare not refuse such a great offer made in love knowing what the consequences could be. We return His love with love.

Faith, a human impulse

Faith and trust has to come from man even if put there by God initially. God is indeed the author and finisher of our salvation; however, we must believe and be not unbelieving for it to work in our lives. It is so effortless that man need not boast about it but God does give as credit for displaying it. He acknowledges it as wholly coming from us even if He gave it to us (Mathew 9:2,29;Luke 7:50, Hebrews 11:6). Faith like all things that come from God is a gift but once given it is ours to do with as we will. Just like our mind or our hands, which are also given to us by God, can be used at our beckoning faith can be used for good to believe unto salvation. That faith is under the command of man’s will is verified by Jesus’ statement to Thomas “Be not faithless but believing” (John 20:27) The fact the he has to exhort in such a manner repeatedly throughout the scriptures shows that he expects it of man to believe in his testimony. When a soul continues to offend repeatedly by not believing His testimony then she puts herself in danger of damnation.

Faith is the most precious commodity as far as heaven is concerned and cultivating it in souls is the greatest work. So Abraham’s faith is accounted to him as righteousness and Jesus praised and rewarded men for their faith. That is our only part, to believe on him whom He has sent even Jesus. Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29 KJV) He spoke this as if to say that’s all we have to do; its our only work and only part. Christ repeats this theme again and again through the gospels like for example, at Martha and Mary’s house. Faith is a subtle impulse that comes from within the deep recesses of man’s heart necessary for the commencement of the work of salvation. It is an ever so small flag of surrender that waves in the master to make abode in one’s heart. Therefore, there is nothing more desirable more beautiful for God to see in a man than faith. It pleases him; it moves him and even surprises him (Matthew 8:10, Matthew 15:25-28).

Certain things become apparent about the impetus of faith. First, God demands it from man, and so its source must be man. For example God’s word frequently says to man, “Believe and you shall be saved or healed or even the dead will rise” It makes faith a condition for all blessings. This impetus to believe is a choice subservient to man’s will. Otherwise Jesus would not have said, “Be thou believing and not unbelieving”. In such a context one’s destiny becomes intertwined with a reaction to a call from God. It is clearly not just a preordained outcome of previously settled decree that must all inevitably come to pass. It’s a dynamic interaction.

Conclusion

To say that God has mapped out people’s destinies even to knowing their eternal destinies is a veiled attack against His character. It is better to say that a fatal combination of sin, unbelief and hardness of heart will send some to hell despite all of heaven’s effort launched to save them (Romans 2:5). Yes, God can save man from sin and death, but not from himself if and when he is bent on destruction through unblief (Acts 13:46). As horrible as the consequences are and even if they lead to damnation, man still has the prerogative to reject truth and condemn himself. The potter will only knead the clay up to a certain point before He gives it up to its own willfulness (Isaiah 45:9).

God, well aware this, even from afore yet subjects man in hope. What has been nailed down from before time eternal, is not each one’s future abode as to being in heaven or hell, but a road paved with the blood of Jesus leading to glory. All who take this road to its conclusion will be with him forever and those who won’t do so will find themselves on the outside. If a soul falls short of salvation then it has to do with his or her failure to appropriate the revelation preached to all, the gospel. Being the consummate farmer, The Father plants with hope and expectation seeking to harvest souls (James 5:7). His hope is that they will have the faith to follow on, even to being formed into the image of His beloved Son, who is The Word himself.

It’s not God’s sovereignty and omniscience that often needs explanation and defense, as it is hardly ever in question except perhaps among fools who deny his existence. However, his nature, character and heart are often maligned. His muscle power, omnipotence and omniscience are rarely challenged; but his motivation and heart as it pertains to his loving kindness is ever always in question from his enemies. The seed of the very first doubt ever sown in man’s heart saying “He knows, you will become wise, when you eat of it” questions God’s motivation. The cross that Jesus bore to save us, once and for all dispelled that nasty rumor the devil continually sows into men’s hearts. Even original sin can be seen as unbelief in not keeping the word God spoke concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As awesome as God is being an all-powerful, all-knowing creator, it’s even more wonderful that such a God as He would then willingly die for mankind in order to save those who would believe.