- Dec 13, 2015
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I've studied extensively both Calvinism and Arminism over the course of my Christian walk. I've found that there are truths in both theories but ultimately there is the most truth in the way Calvinists say we are elected and saved. Why? Not only do I believe the bible declares so but to state that God looked into the future and saw who would choose him causes two problems. One if we are totally deprived and cannot come to Christ without the intervention of God (see John 6:44,66) how can God know who will come to faith? Two what is the point in Christ dying for the world when he already knows who's going to accept him in the end? Why suffer extra for sinners who will never inherit salvation? Or who never accepted your salvation in the past? Three, this is based on the idea that we chose God and that God did not God chose us. Lets ignore the fact that man cant come to God without Gods intervention. The bible is chuck full of verses in both the new and old testament that state that God elected us to salvation. Scripture says time and time again that God chose us we didnt choose him.
I argue for the doctrine of election because that's what the apostles say over and over again. Peter says in both of his letters that we were chosen by God. Paul says in Roman's 8 & 9 that we were chosen by God, plus again in Ephesians (and even in one of the most frequently quoted verses in the bible Ephesians 2:8-9 says that our salvation was not of ourselves but completely from God), Titus, just... all over the apostles letters and Christ said multiple times as well in the gospels that we did not choose God. He chose us.
Not to mention Gods plan has completely been perfectly executed without failure from the beginning.
Think about it. Gods plan of salvation has been perfectly executed ever since Adam and Eve sinned. Noah obeyed God perfectly, so did Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Isaiah, Micah, Jesus Christ (well he was God in the flesh so perfection was easy for him but he still deserves a mention because without him Gods plan would gave had no power). Even me and you are perfectly executing God's plan in our own lives as we speak. How do I know? Jesus says in John 6:37-40 that ALL who are elected by God (given from the Father to the son) will not be lost. He will not lose one! How can that possibly be if humanity was not completely and perfectly fulfilling God's plan? If you dont tell x person that God wanted to save there would be no salvation for that person because faith comes from the word of God and God unburdening the heart of the one being saved!
Our missionary work in bringing people to Christ is bringing the gospel message to the exact people that God planned them to be. We're giving to the exact Charities he wanted us to and answering the prayers that he wanted us to all from before the foundation of the world. God's plan for all of us cannot and will not fail because if it fails in even the tiniest of details there would be no salvation or God lied when he said all of his sheep were saved! It is impossible because God is guiding us like he guided every one of us before us. That's why not one single part of his plan has failed or ever will.
In the beginnings of Gods promise to Abraham God promised Abraham that his descendants (the saved) would be as numerous as the stars from every tribe, people, and nation. He called Israel his chosen people and we are his chosen people and nothing we do can nullify that fact of life. So rejoice! God has chosen YOU to be his child forevermore!
But, I've said my piece. Id like to hear yours. Did God act on his foreknowledge or were we all elected by him based on the "pleasure if his good will"? Discuss.
I argue for the doctrine of election because that's what the apostles say over and over again. Peter says in both of his letters that we were chosen by God. Paul says in Roman's 8 & 9 that we were chosen by God, plus again in Ephesians (and even in one of the most frequently quoted verses in the bible Ephesians 2:8-9 says that our salvation was not of ourselves but completely from God), Titus, just... all over the apostles letters and Christ said multiple times as well in the gospels that we did not choose God. He chose us.
Not to mention Gods plan has completely been perfectly executed without failure from the beginning.
Think about it. Gods plan of salvation has been perfectly executed ever since Adam and Eve sinned. Noah obeyed God perfectly, so did Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Isaiah, Micah, Jesus Christ (well he was God in the flesh so perfection was easy for him but he still deserves a mention because without him Gods plan would gave had no power). Even me and you are perfectly executing God's plan in our own lives as we speak. How do I know? Jesus says in John 6:37-40 that ALL who are elected by God (given from the Father to the son) will not be lost. He will not lose one! How can that possibly be if humanity was not completely and perfectly fulfilling God's plan? If you dont tell x person that God wanted to save there would be no salvation for that person because faith comes from the word of God and God unburdening the heart of the one being saved!
Our missionary work in bringing people to Christ is bringing the gospel message to the exact people that God planned them to be. We're giving to the exact Charities he wanted us to and answering the prayers that he wanted us to all from before the foundation of the world. God's plan for all of us cannot and will not fail because if it fails in even the tiniest of details there would be no salvation or God lied when he said all of his sheep were saved! It is impossible because God is guiding us like he guided every one of us before us. That's why not one single part of his plan has failed or ever will.
In the beginnings of Gods promise to Abraham God promised Abraham that his descendants (the saved) would be as numerous as the stars from every tribe, people, and nation. He called Israel his chosen people and we are his chosen people and nothing we do can nullify that fact of life. So rejoice! God has chosen YOU to be his child forevermore!
But, I've said my piece. Id like to hear yours. Did God act on his foreknowledge or were we all elected by him based on the "pleasure if his good will"? Discuss.