What scriptures, discussing predestination, were you introduced to? Please reference scriptures in future questions/replies.
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Hello John.One thing I will note is since I am now a 5-month believer.
My Biblical knowledge in the NT isn't high. I have not even read through the whole NT yet. So I don't know what it all says.
Hello John.
Happy to hear that you have put your trust in Jesus Christ.
May I ask about your background before becoming a Christian?
Personally, I would encourage a new Christian to devote themselves to reading the New Testament, rather than wandering off into theology or eschatology.
It would be advisable to have a solid knowledge of the New Testament before venturing into the various kingdoms of interpretation.
You need to know what the gospel is, how is the gospel defined in the scripture. Not what your church says the gospel is, not how that book on the shelf describes the gospel. You need to understand exactly what it is you believe and why you believe it.
How does the scripture describe Jesus Christ; Jesus said the scripture is all about Him. Why did He say that?
Hopefully John, you can reach the upward call and not be distracted long the way.
Hello John.
Happy to hear that you have put your trust in Jesus Christ.
May I ask about your background before becoming a Christian?
Personally, I would encourage a new Christian to devote themselves to reading the New Testament, rather than wandering off into theology or eschatology.
It would be advisable to have a solid knowledge of the New Testament before venturing into the various kingdoms of interpretation.
You need to know what the gospel is, how is the gospel defined in the scripture. Not what your church says the gospel is, not how that book on the shelf describes the gospel. You need to understand exactly what it is you believe and why you believe it.
How does the scripture describe Jesus Christ; Jesus said the scripture is all about Him. Why did He say that?
Hopefully John, you can reach the upward call and not be distracted long the way.
When I first came to the faith, the first people I have had as teachers and learned from were Reformed, and I have great respect for them, they helped me grow. They did tell me something that wasn't easy to settle for me when they started introducing me to predestination. The first thoughts that came into my head were "There is no way this can be true, God isn't like that is he?", and I objected, which they then showed me Bible verses I wasn't prepared to see. And the moment they showed me some verses about predestination it just stuck to me ever since.
I do wish I never heard about the concept of predestination this early on, if it is true then I was not ready to know about it, and I believe I would be better off not knowing at all about predestination. Because what is the point, when everything is already predetermined?
The whole thing with Reformed theology is I find it utterly depressing,
Many get predestination back to front. Our predestination is by Christ and not by ourselves. It is the destiny of Christ that saves us and not because we are hand-picked as "the best of the bunch". The words of Jesus are plain, except we repent we will all perish.
Yet there is a choice that God makes for Jesus also said, "many are called but few are chosen."
I am neither Calvinist or Arminian and have not studied the works of either person.
In The book of Romans Paul appears to set out predestination based on the foreknowledge of God Romans 8:29 & 30. This both allows for man's freedom to choose [often miscalled free will] and God's sovereignty in deciding and thus full purpose to proclaiming the gospel.
A sovereign God cannot break his promise. Therefore if he says all who willfully [that is by confession and profession] accept Jesus by faith will be saved he has bound himself to his own word. This is the confidence we have in our salvation: it is not of our making.
When I first came to the faith, the first people I have had as teachers and learned from were Reformed, and I have great respect for them, they helped me grow. They did tell me something that wasn't easy to settle for me when they started introducing me to predestination. The first thoughts that came into my head were "There is no way this can be true, God isn't like that is he?", and I objected, which they then showed me Bible verses I wasn't prepared to see. And the moment they showed me some verses about predestination it just stuck to me ever since.
I do wish I never heard about the concept of predestination this early on, if it is true then I was not ready to know about it, and I believe I would be better off not knowing at all about predestination. Because what is the point, when everything is already predetermined?
The whole thing with Reformed theology is I find it utterly depressing, that mankind has no hope and the majority are predestined to damnation before even being created in the womb. I have been thinking if this is true, then what is the point? Is preaching to the lost being done in vain? Can we determine who is elect/non-elect? Can we know if we are the elect or just delusional? Why does God have mercy on some and not other's?
It makes me feel like I can't make a difference knowing that well I can't make a difference if God is selectively choosing who to save, and the guy I preach to doesn't even have a chance or choice unless God makes it that way. What's the purpose of praying for others, if God predestined some of my family members to hell?
This is not meant to be an insult to the Reformed, I just can't reconcile myself with this thinking.
It seems messed up, I try to hold off this belief since I think I may be blaspheming God's character for having it. But it just sticks to me, and I can't seem to fully shake it off unless I am shown proof that it is a twisted view that the Bible doesn't support.
Even though I don't want to believe in the whole 5 points Calvinism, I can't just shake it off, unless I am shown that it is false. I would be happy to find out if its false since that would mean that humanity has a chance.
The big questions I ask are.
1. Why aren't people getting saved?
2. Why aren't more people Christian?
3. Why do people fall away from the faith?
4. Why do some people do evil, harmful acts?
5. Why are people atheists, or agnostics?
6. Why don't the smartest and most knowledgeable people do not believe in Christianity?
It doesn't make any sense why people don't want to get saved. Atheism/Agnosticism makes no sense, no other religions make any sense.
Why does it make sense to them, and not Christianity?