hey all, I found this a few months ago during a "disagreement" between myself and someone from church about Calvinism. I thought it was interesting and gave me alot to think about:
The battle has raged for centuries. Is God totally sovereign (and the motivation behind all that happens) or does man have the ability to choose his own course of action, to determine his personal destiny? Those in the church call it the conflict between the Calvinist and Armenian points of view. Much of the hoopla around this important question can be very frustrating. Too often Gods people have been both divided and distracted from Gods plans and purposes because of doctrinal differences. At times we have wasted precious time and energy to wage war against our own brothers and sisters in Christ. The truth is that the Bible provides solid ground for both arguments in the book of Romans. Consider: It does not, therefore, depend on mans desire or effort, but on Gods mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: I raised you up for this purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden (Romans 9:16-18 NIV).If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do no boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: ou do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in. Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.Consider the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off (Romans 11:17-22).
These and countless other Scriptures and theological arguments can be used to justify either position. We are not dealing with a contradiction here but rather the reality that no human can truly grasp this concept for what it is. Even the apostle Paul shows signs of struggling to understand these things (Romans 9:19-24).The primary problem lies in our human need to think analytically by breaking everything down into small, bite sized pieces. When attempted concerning this issue, we quickly begin to lose perspective of the whole. The more we zero in on one particular perspective, the more distorted our view of the whole becomes. It would be like looking at opposite ends of a huge whale. To see and understand the entire picture we must take a step (or several steps) back. Otherwise we join the fray with the six blind men from Indostan in their examination of an elephant.This is where, in seeking to explain God, we can lose relationship with God. We judge spirituality by theological labels. Our view and acceptance of others begin to revolve around the sovereignty/free will issue. Such an approach is so anti-Christ. Jesus himself said (John 13:35), By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. As far as I know, heaven doesnt have a sovereignty/free-will detector in front of the pearly gates.
Paul rebuked the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1 & 3) for dividing themselves in a similar manner. He called their attitudes worldly, fleshly, and immature.Calvinism, when taken to its extreme, can produce pride, irresponsibility, coldness, loose living, and spiritual laziness. The ultra-free point of view can also produce pride, rebellion, hardness, and tremendous anxiety. God is totally sovereign and does what He chooses. He raises whom He wants and lowers whom He desires and isnt always a gentleman about it. No man can challenge or question Him. He stands accountable to no authority. There is no higher power. After all, God is GOD.Under this umbrella of sovereignty God works uniquely with mankind. From the very beginning He gave us the freedom to choose between good and evil. This is why He placed the two trees in the garden. Such freedom is absolutely essential if we are to love God and not live as robots or puppets. In fact, thats what this whole world experience is about--love. God is seeking those who love Him as He loves us.Herein lies the mystery. How does He do it? A clear answer is beyond us, but we do know this: God is able to make mans free choices work toward His sovereign purposes. In doing so He is totally loving and just. This is why we call Him GOD!
It is difficult grasp this understanding but let us realize that the existence of human freedom does not show God to be less powerful, it only further reveals His awesome ability to accomplish His plans and purposes.We dont need to surgically separate and understand every such concept to have a vibrant relationship with Christ or be at peace. We do know that He is really, really big and that we each are accountable for our actions. We also know that He can be totally trusted in any and every situation--even if we cant make logical sense of our circumstances.Through these truths we can walk in peace with one another, living life as faithful witnesses of Gods glory. God help us if we do anything less."
Love to all (even the Calvanists)
The battle has raged for centuries. Is God totally sovereign (and the motivation behind all that happens) or does man have the ability to choose his own course of action, to determine his personal destiny? Those in the church call it the conflict between the Calvinist and Armenian points of view. Much of the hoopla around this important question can be very frustrating. Too often Gods people have been both divided and distracted from Gods plans and purposes because of doctrinal differences. At times we have wasted precious time and energy to wage war against our own brothers and sisters in Christ. The truth is that the Bible provides solid ground for both arguments in the book of Romans. Consider: It does not, therefore, depend on mans desire or effort, but on Gods mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: I raised you up for this purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden (Romans 9:16-18 NIV).If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do no boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: ou do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in. Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.Consider the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off (Romans 11:17-22).
These and countless other Scriptures and theological arguments can be used to justify either position. We are not dealing with a contradiction here but rather the reality that no human can truly grasp this concept for what it is. Even the apostle Paul shows signs of struggling to understand these things (Romans 9:19-24).The primary problem lies in our human need to think analytically by breaking everything down into small, bite sized pieces. When attempted concerning this issue, we quickly begin to lose perspective of the whole. The more we zero in on one particular perspective, the more distorted our view of the whole becomes. It would be like looking at opposite ends of a huge whale. To see and understand the entire picture we must take a step (or several steps) back. Otherwise we join the fray with the six blind men from Indostan in their examination of an elephant.This is where, in seeking to explain God, we can lose relationship with God. We judge spirituality by theological labels. Our view and acceptance of others begin to revolve around the sovereignty/free will issue. Such an approach is so anti-Christ. Jesus himself said (John 13:35), By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. As far as I know, heaven doesnt have a sovereignty/free-will detector in front of the pearly gates.
Paul rebuked the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1 & 3) for dividing themselves in a similar manner. He called their attitudes worldly, fleshly, and immature.Calvinism, when taken to its extreme, can produce pride, irresponsibility, coldness, loose living, and spiritual laziness. The ultra-free point of view can also produce pride, rebellion, hardness, and tremendous anxiety. God is totally sovereign and does what He chooses. He raises whom He wants and lowers whom He desires and isnt always a gentleman about it. No man can challenge or question Him. He stands accountable to no authority. There is no higher power. After all, God is GOD.Under this umbrella of sovereignty God works uniquely with mankind. From the very beginning He gave us the freedom to choose between good and evil. This is why He placed the two trees in the garden. Such freedom is absolutely essential if we are to love God and not live as robots or puppets. In fact, thats what this whole world experience is about--love. God is seeking those who love Him as He loves us.Herein lies the mystery. How does He do it? A clear answer is beyond us, but we do know this: God is able to make mans free choices work toward His sovereign purposes. In doing so He is totally loving and just. This is why we call Him GOD!
It is difficult grasp this understanding but let us realize that the existence of human freedom does not show God to be less powerful, it only further reveals His awesome ability to accomplish His plans and purposes.We dont need to surgically separate and understand every such concept to have a vibrant relationship with Christ or be at peace. We do know that He is really, really big and that we each are accountable for our actions. We also know that He can be totally trusted in any and every situation--even if we cant make logical sense of our circumstances.Through these truths we can walk in peace with one another, living life as faithful witnesses of Gods glory. God help us if we do anything less."
Love to all (even the Calvanists)
