Lately I have been challenged to critically think about what I believe and why I believe it. Especially in regards to election and predestination. Shamefully, I have not followed the command written for us in 1 Peter 3:15. I have not been ready to give a solid reason for the hope that I have in Christ. :( Therefore, I am going to examine these too doctrinal issues and first, explain what I believe, and second, back up every point with a solid scriptural foundation.
Before I begin, I would like to say that election and predestination are part of God's mysteries. We haven't been given all the answers for all the questions that burn within us. My stopping point will be where a solid scriptural basis transforms into simply human skepticism. You, as the reader, can keep me accountable to this promise.
Some people may attribute the doctrine of election and predestination to Calvin, but I believe scriptural truths should not be attached to any man. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) His Word stands the test of time and has never lost its applicability. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:19-21) In reality, election and predestination can be traced back at least to Augustine. Calvin was a sinner just like us. (Romans 3:10-23)
My sources have been the Holy Bible in the ESV, NIV, and NKJB varieties, the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms, several sermons, and a booklet by Richard D. Phillips entitled "What are Election and Predestination?" I used a specially formatted version of the Westminster shorter and larger catechisms (prepared by Zion Presbyterian church in Lincoln) that parallels the relevant shorter catechism questions with the larger. My final source was a book entitled "Calvinism, Hyper-Calvinism and Arminianism" by Kenneth Talbot and Gary Crampton.
So, if you are ready to dive in! Let's go!! :)
My speech and debate years have taught me that everything depends on how we define our words. So, here are the definitions of the critical terms being used throughout this post.
****************************Definitions******************************
Sin :(
"Any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature." WLC # 24, (1 John 3:4, James 4:7)
Grace :)
One fairly well known acronym will provide the basis for this definition.
God's
Riches
At
Christ's
Expense. (Ephesians 2:4-5,8)
Or here is a more complete definition.
"Appropriately, the free unmerited (Titus 3:4-5,) love (Ephesians 1:4) and favor of God (Philippians 3:9), the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from [H]im." (John 17:21,24) Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary
Predestination :)
"Predestination is the gracious act of God (Ephesians 1:11) by which he determines to save a people for himself." (Romans 8:30) Perspectives on Predestination: a sermon by reverend Barry Hofstetter.
Election :)
Ephesians 1:4 provides the best definition for Election but is not the only one and certainly not the only example. "What are Election and Predestination?" by Richard C. Phillips
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (Ephesians 1:4, English Standard Version)
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love (Ephesians 1:4, New International Version)
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (Ephesians 1:4, New King James Version)
Justification :)
"Justification is an act of God's free grace unto sinners, (Romans 3:22) in which he pardoned all their sins, accepted and accounted their persons righteous in his sight; (2 Cor 5:18-20) not for anything wrought in them, (Titus 3:5) or done by them, but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them, and received by faith alone." (Romans 5:17-19) WLC # 70
Faith :)
Faith is mentioned numerous times throughout the bible. A simple definition can be found in Hebrews 11:1.
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1, English Standard Version
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.(Hebrews 11:1, New International Version)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1, New King James Version)
But when we read that Abraham had faith, or when Luther was emphasizing justification by faith alone, he was talking about a specific justifying faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. So, when I define "faith" I am defining a justifying faith.
"Justifying faith is a saving grace (Hebrews 10:39), wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:17-19; 1 Cor 12:3) and Word of God, (Romans 10:14-17) whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition, (Acts 2:36-37; John 16:8-9) not only assented to the truth of the promise of the gospel, but received and rested upon Christ and his righteousness, (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 1:13) therein held forth, for pardon of sin, (Acts 10:43) and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation." (Philippians 3:9; Acts 15:11) (WLC # 72)
The next few paragraphs will be paraphrasing all the above sources into a sound doctrinal explanation. Parenthetical scripture proofs are provided to back up these truths of the Christian faith.
Let's start at the very beginning, even before Genesis 1:1. :)
Even before God created man and women, he foreknew (Romans 8:29) that man would eat the forbidden fruit (Revelation 13:8) and [Election] formed a plan of redemption (1 Peter 1:19-20) [predestination] through his only son (John 3:18) to save those, from sin and misery, (1 John 4:9-10) whom he called. (John 6:37-39; Ephesians 1:4) This all happened even before Adam was created out of the dust of the earth and God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. (Genesis 2:7)
After creation, Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, (Genesis 3) and death through sin. (Romans 5:12) All descendants of Adam have inherited this sinful nature (Romans 3:10-12) and cannot, apart from divine revelation, do anything admirable and are slaves to this sin nature. (Mark 7:21-23; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 6:20) Thankfully, this is not the end of the story though. It is just the beginning.
God did not leave his world in this chaotic state. (Romans 8:19-25) It was time for God to work out his, predetermined, plan of salvation for the world. God did not leave all men to perish in their sin and misery but rather, out of his love, power, and grace, gave the free gift of salvation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) to all men (Colossians 1:19-20; 1 Timothy 4:10) with only one precondition - faith. [general call] (Romans 3:22-25, John 6:44-47)
God, exclusively, and non arbitrarily chose his elect people out of all the world. (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15) His choice was, most assuredly, not based our own merit, works, (Galatians 2:15-16) or our choice (John 15:16, Psalm 65:4, 33:12; Deuteronomy 7:7) but was strictly out of His power, love and grace.
He gave his elect people, the church, a special invitation (John 3:16; John 10:15, 27-30) [effectual call] that included the Holy Spirit to work in us that saving faith, enable us to holy obedience, and appoint us unto salvation. (2 Thessalonians 2:13, Titus 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13) God determines our will and sovereignly makes us willing and able to answer His call and accept and embrace the free grace offered us.
It is Christ who has procured our salvation once (1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 7:26-27) for only those whom he purchased with his blood on the cross. (1 Peter 3:18; John 10:15) Christ's death and resurrection reversed certain effects of the fall for all men, not just his elect people. (Hebrews 2:9; Matthew 5:44-45; 11:28) Christ did not come simply to make salvation possible for all men, (Matthew 1:21) but He came to save! (1 Timothy 1:15) Christ blood covered men from all nationalities, tongues and languages, but it did not cover all men. (Revelation 5:9; Galatians 3:28)
Those that have not heard the gospel (Romans 10:14), have not known or believe in Christ cannot be saved. (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9) Similarly, those that have heard the gospel [general call] can never be deeply rooted without the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:48) Christ is the only way to salvation. (Acts 4:12) All other paths lead to eternal damnation. (Mark 16:16)
Predestination and election, I think, can best be understood by examining the appropriations of the Trinity. The Bible teaches that one member of the Trinity cannot be involved with any work that is contradictory of the other two. God is not a God of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33) Universal atonement is therefore impossible. Please consider the following biblical explanation.
The Holy Spirit only seals and regenerates a certain number, (Titus 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13-14) and the Son only redeems that exact same number (Ephesians 1:7) therefore they are only the ones for whom Christ died - God's elect people. Basically, If the Trinity is to be harmonious with each individual person of the God head, Christ cannot redeem a portion and the Holy Spirit cannot work out salvation in another group of people. Therefore, either the Bible contradicts itself or Christ's blood only covered the sins of his elect people.
This is most of what we have been told through the holy scriptures on these two doctrinal issues. Any questions that you may have are more than welcome! :)
Let's start at the very beginning, even before Genesis 1:1. :)
Even before God created man and women, he foreknew (Romans 8:29) that man would eat the forbidden fruit (Revelation 13:8) and [Election] formed a plan of redemption (1 Peter 1:19-20) [predestination] through his only son (John 3:18) to save those, from sin and misery, (1 John 4:9-10) whom he called. (John 6:37-39; Ephesians 1:4) This all happened even before Adam was created out of the dust of the earth and God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. (Genesis 2:7)
After creation, Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, (Genesis 3) and death through sin. (Romans 5:12) All descendants of Adam have inherited this sinful nature (Romans 3:10-12) and cannot, apart from divine revelation, do anything admirable and are slaves to this sin nature. (Mark 7:21-23; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 6:20) Thankfully, this is not the end of the story though. It is just the beginning.
God did not leave his world in this chaotic state. (Romans 8:19-25) It was time for God to work out his, predetermined, plan of salvation for the world. God did not leave all men to perish in their sin and misery but rather, out of his love, power, and grace, gave the free gift of salvation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) to all men (Colossians 1:19-20; 1 Timothy 4:10) with only one precondition - faith. [general call] (Romans 3:22-25, John 6:44-47)
God, exclusively, and non arbitrarily chose his elect people out of all the world. (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15) His choice was, most assuredly, not based our own merit, works, (Galatians 2:15-16) or our choice (John 15:16, Psalm 65:4, 33:12; Deuteronomy 7:7) but was strictly out of His power, love and grace.
He gave his elect people, the church, a special invitation (John 3:16; John 10:15, 27-30) [effectual call] that included the Holy Spirit to work in us that saving faith, enable us to holy obedience, and appoint us unto salvation. (2 Thessalonians 2:13, Titus 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13) God determines our will and sovereignly makes us willing and able to answer His call and accept and embrace the free grace offered us.
It is Christ who has procured our salvation once (1 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 7:26-27) for only those whom he purchased with his blood on the cross. (1 Peter 3:18; John 10:15) Christ's death and resurrection reversed certain effects of the fall for all men, not just his elect people. (Hebrews 2:9; Matthew 5:44-45; 11:28) Christ did not come simply to make salvation possible for all men, (Matthew 1:21) but He came to save! (1 Timothy 1:15) Christ blood covered men from all nationalities, tongues and languages, but it did not cover all men. (Revelation 5:9; Galatians 3:28)
Those that have not heard the gospel (Romans 10:14), have not known or believe in Christ cannot be saved. (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9) Similarly, those that have heard the gospel [general call] can never be deeply rooted without the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:48) Christ is the only way to salvation. (Acts 4:12) All other paths lead to eternal damnation. (Mark 16:16)
Predestination and election, I think, can best be understood by examining the appropriations of the Trinity. The Bible teaches that one member of the Trinity cannot be involved with any work that is contradictory of the other two. God is not a God of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33) Universal atonement is therefore impossible. Please consider the following biblical explanation.
The Holy Spirit only seals and regenerates a certain number, (Titus 3:5-6; Ephesians 1:13-14) and the Son only redeems that exact same number (Ephesians 1:7) therefore they are only the ones for whom Christ died - God's elect people. Basically, If the Trinity is to be harmonious with each individual person of the God head, Christ cannot redeem a portion and the Holy Spirit cannot work out salvation in another group of people. Therefore, either the Bible contradicts itself or Christ's blood only covered the sins of his elect people.
This is most of what we have been told through the holy scriptures on these two doctrinal issues. Any questions that you may have are more than welcome! :)
5 comments:
Excellent. :)
Thanks K! :)
All this because Seth and I talked. Hey Seth. Very nice job I applaud the effort you took to get this firmly planted in your head.
When we first talked I felt that you were using some key words with wrong definitions. I see in your post you have used some different definitions that what was in play that night at the shop.
Your definition of predestination used the limited view that predestination specifically and only connects to the fact that some will and some will not choose to follow Christ and what does God do with those that do.
In the words of Romans 8:29:
29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
For many the word Predestination refers to something much larger and much more impacting on the logical foundations of the faith.
Remember the original question: If total predestination is in force, then the guy who goes and sits in the middle of the street till he gets run over by a car is not guilty of sin since he was exactly where he was supposed to be when he was supposed to be there.
By your own definition Predestination does not apply to the above situation, and I agree with your assessment.
Total Predestination (thats my term) is in my mind, a very dangerous view and deserves to be challenged.
Limited Predestination (again, my term) is much more in line with the whole of scripture.
At the risk of sounding condecending, I'm proud of you.
Thanks Rance. I know that is high praise coming from you.
Seth,
I'm still working through all of your references. They support what you are saying. One correction you might want to make. The Galatians 2:25-16 should perhaps be Gal. 2:15-16. Now I'll keep going.
Mom
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