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16 November 2008
Cafeteria Calvinists
I remember back in the 70s when I was in High School a Catholic friend of mine was saying or doing something that I knew went against
Catholicism and when I asked him about it his reply was, “That’s OK, I’m a Cafeteria Catholic.” I asked him what that was and he told me
basically anything he didn’t he agree with, he disregarded, like walking through the line of a cafeteria taking just those things he liked.
All religions, denominations, and doctrinal differences have these types, that‘s normal. Keep in mind for the purpose of my discussion I’m talking
about adherence within a denomination or a particular doctrine, not between competing denominations or doctrines.
For example in basic Christianity Jesus is the Son of God Jesus died on the cross for our sins and arose again after three days. Christ is the only
way to gain salvation there are not “other paths to the same place.” Yet there are so-called Christians that deny one of more of these things.
There are basic doctrinal points that Catholics, Pentecostals, Southern Baptists, Lutherans and other denominations believe that make them
unique and part of that group.
If you deny the basic tenants of Christianity or a particular denomination in my book that means that you can’t honestly claim to be an adherent of
that religion or denomination.
Many of my Calvinist friends say that they are moderate or four-point Calvinists, not hyper-Calvinists as they claim I am painting them.
What is "Hyper-Calvinism"?
The hyper-Calvinist says that God loves only the Elect and sends everyone else to hell. A hyper-Calvinist is simply an honest Calvinist.
Nothing more and nothing less.
When I’m charged with putting someone in the Hyper-Calvinist camp that objects to that characterization I've merely been quoting Augustine,
Martin Luther, and John Calvin, not someone who came along afterwards and changed or added to what the founders of this doctrine espoused
and drawing logical conclusions (in other words connecting the dots). To deny hyper-Calvinism (that is true Calvinism) is to claim that it is
extreme. Calling the founders of Calvinism extremists or hyper is like calling Mohammed a radical or extremist Muslim. How can it be hyper
or extreme anything when the very words and arguments of the founders are used?
What is a “Moderate Calvinist"?
The moderate Calvinist says God loves everyone, but still sends those who are not the Elect (that He predetermined) to hell for eternal torment
and damnation. That difference is just splitting hairs as the end result is the same. A moderate Calvinist is basically uncomfortable with the idea
that God created some people whom he doesn't love, after all God is love. I haven't met a true moderate Calvinist yet who didn't revert back
into hyper-Calvinism when backed into a corner.
Some who claim to be moderate Calvinists are sometimes really four-point Calvinists. Keep in mind there are not always clear distinctions
between moderate and four-point Calvinists. The distinctions presented here are my own, based on discussions with Calvinist friends and
reading Reformed Theology websites, and are used here for the sake of illustration and discussion.
What is a “four-point” Calvinist?
Someone who claims they are a Calvinist but who rejects one or more petals of TULIP. It's not always the same petal that is removed. One petal
that is perhaps most often removed by four-point Calvinists is “Limited Atonement”, the idea that God only wants a only certain number of
certain people saved and the rest were specifically created to spend eternity in hell. Like a person walking down a cafeteria line some four point
(and even three point) Calvinists may reject limited atonement or other petals (depending on what they find distasteful or objectionable)of TULIP,
that is to say Calvinism.
The truth for a Cafeteria Calvinist (a four-point and some moderate Calvinists) is that by removing one or more petals from that TULIP they
destroy it and so, if they want to be honest about their position, they must revert back to hyper-Calvinism, or reject Calvinism altogether.
13 November 2008
Knock knock (no joke)
5 Nov 2008
If we have to give an account for our actions then clearly we are responsible for our actions obviously have free will. If our actions were
predetermined we would not be responsible for them.
7 July 2008
So how can one “contend for the faith” if, as Reform Theology insists, that faith was arbitrarily given or withheld according to God's “good
pleasure”?
15 June 2008
Sovereignty: “Causes” vs. “Uses”
Calvinists claim that if man has free will then God is not sovereign, that God is not ultimately in control. This notion is just clearly wrong and
actually limits God's sovereignty.
God can use all things, all circumstances for good. It doesn't mean God causes all things. But because God is indeed “sovereign” He can use all
things for His purpose and glory.
Therefore, even though God gives us free will and allows us to make choices there is no danger, as Calvinists claim, of God's sovereignty being
limited, threatened or compromised. God is always in control and this is a good example of how even with free will God's sovereignty is not
threatened but actually demonstrates just how Sovereign He is.
Example: all adversity can be a teaching or growing moment for us. God doesn't have to cause a particular event, but He can use that event. That
is sovereignty.
As I have always said it is not free will that limits God's sovereignty but the Calvinistic notion of predestination or predetermination that says God
can only accomplish His will be predetermining, before time, every action every person makes, even sin.
Calvinism and predestination means God is limited and fearful. It means He is only in control if He pre-programs and scripts every action of every
person and decides in advance who will fry and who will not, that is not sovereignty.
Free will shows that man indeed has choices to make but that no matter what happens, God is not threatened or lessened by it and His will is
always accomplished. That is sovereignty!
May 10, 2008
The Bible tells us not only that God hates sin but also that Satan tempts us and causes us to sin… in Calvinism, or Reformed Theology, it isn't
Satan but God who not only tempts us but makes us sin…
The Bible:
Calvinism/Reformed Theology:
October 21, 2007
Using the typical Calvinist predestination logic one cannot explain why God punishes for disobedience when each and every action is
predetermined or preprogrammed.
Take King David for example. Adultery and murder are specifically prohibited by God. Was David obeying God when he committed adultery
with Bathsheba and then had her husband murdered? Apparently Calvinists think so which "obviously" explains why God punished David for
those actions...
The usual Calvinist response to "why" is to respond "We are mere humans who can not understand why God does what he does."
It is an untrue statement because God reveals to us through Scripture what He wants us to do and what He doesn't want us to, and yes, even at
times "why." God does not contradict Himself by saying "do not do 'X'" and then making us do 'X.'
May 24, 2007
If God predestined some specifically to sin and bound for eternal damnation then He would have done so because He took pleasure in it, not out
of some unknowable sense of justice or holiness. This is not the God of Abraham, it is the god of Islam, who according to the Koran, created sin
.
Genesis tells us our God did not create sin. Everything He created was and is good, though Reformed Theology tells us only God can determine
what is good and we should not presume to determine for God what is good and what is evil.
Excuse me, but that is why we have the scriptures and the Holy Spirit. God wants us to be clear about what sin is and what is holy. God is not
vague and does not resort to trickery. God is extremely clear about what he wants for us and what He expects of us. Isn't that wonderful?
Sin is refusing to love and obey God. It is knowing to do good and not doing it. Now if God predestined us to sin we would be obeying Him
therefore it wouldn't be sin would it?
May 6, 2007
Calvinists like to claim that to believe in free will denies God's sovereignty and omniscient character. They'll pose the following question(s) as
another "gotcha" question:
Q1: Does God "know everything": To answer "no" denies God's sovereignty and to answer "yes" implies that predestination is correct.
Q2: Does anything take God by surprise? To answer "no" implies predestination is correct and to answer "yes" denies God's sovereignty
What are my answers you ask?
A1: God knows everything He wants to know.
A2: Even God says at least three different times that people do things that He didn't command or think of:
"'The people of Judah have done evil in my eyes, declares the LORD. They have set up their detestable idols in the house that bears my Name
and have defiled it. They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire--something
I did not command, nor did it enter my mind." Jeremiah 7:30-31
December 28, 2006
The Unpardonable Sin
Reformed Theology talks about "irresistible" Grace, yet that doesn't quite square "the unpardonable sin" which is rejecting the call from the
Holy Spirit.
"The unforgivable sin of speaking against the Holy Spirit has been interpreted in various ways, but the true meaning cannot contradict other
Scripture. It is unequivocally clear that the one unforgivable sin is permanently rejecting Christ (John 3:18; 3:36). Thus, speaking against the Holy
Spirit is equivalent to rejecting Christ with such finality that no future repentance is possible. 'My spirit shall not always strive with man,' God said
long ago (Genesis 6:3). ...In the context of this particular passage (Matthew 12:22-32), Jesus had performed a great miracle of creation, involving
both healing and casting out a demon, but the Pharisees rejected this clear witness of the Holy Spirit. Instead they attributed His powers to Satan,
thus demonstrating an attitude permanently resistant to the Spirit, and to the deity and saving Gospel of Christ"
[Henry M. Morris, The Defender's Study Bible (Iowa Falls, Iowa: World Bible Publishers, 1995), emphasis added.]. www.christiananswers.
net/q-eden/unpardonablesin.html
December 27, 2006
I just read on a Reformed Theology website an article warning how the spread of Islam in Europe was going to overtake Europe if people didn't
"do" something to stop the spread.
Actually I have no problem with that sentiment, except to say this "doctor" of Reformed Theology apparently doesn't believe in Reformed
Theology or Predestination after all, because if he did whether Europe is taken over by Islam or not would mean that the outcome was
predetermined and that we can't "do" anything to combat it because it is God's will.
He's right, we need to "do" something, and that something is to tell those in Europe (both the Europeans and Muslims) about Jesus and that they
have a choice to make!
November 10, 2006
God uses Christians to appeal to nonbelievers
Paul tells us:
If we have no choice in accepting or rejecting God's salvation then why is God using Christians to make His appeal to non-believers? If it's
already been determined then no appealing is required. So once again we see that we do indeed have free will to accept or reject God's gift of
salvation.
October 15, 2006
"GOTCHA" Questions
Here's a Yes or No only question: "Do you still beat your wife?"
If you have never beaten your wife there is no way to answer it yes or no without looking like a wife-beater. Yes (I still beat my wife) or No (I
don't beat my wife any more).
How about this one: Yes or No: "Is God so powerful that He can create a rock so heavy that He can't lift it?"
It's a silly question that doesn't even deserve consideration. However, my answer to that is "That would go against God's nature, why would He
want to do that?"
“Either/Or” questions fit in the same category as “yes/no only” questions; they purposefully limit your ability to give a correct answer so that the
other side can use the limitation in their favor.
Calvinists have their own GOTCHA questions to try to prove their doctrine of Predestination or Reformed Theology. They try to over
complicate a simple issue by oversimplifying the issues. "GOTCHA" questions are carefully skewed to give a limited response.
GOTCHA questions are how the Scribes and Pharisees tried to trip up Jesus and the Apostles. Jesus and the Apostles never seemed to answer
the questions the way the Scribes and Pharisees anticipated (as those who are responding to Calvinists challenges should not be coerced into
doing either); rather they gave a reasoned response that basically rephrased the issue correctly.
Here are a few standard questions GOTCHA Calvinists ask:
a. Who gets the credit for your decision for Christ: You or God?
The questions should be “Who gets credit for your salvation?” and the answer is God because Jesus died and paid the price for my sin. Looking
for credit for the decision on my part is silly as a decision is required. Getting "credit" is not the issue. Yet Calvinists will always claim that
“accepting” is earning.” See further explanation in b.
b. If we can accept or reject God's salvation doesn't that mean that we had a hand in our own salvation?
That's like saying if I am drowning in a violent storm and a rescuer throws me a line that I get credit for the rescue for grabbing and holding on. I
could have very well have said, “I can get back to shore on my own” and refused to take what was offered, drowning in the process.
Accepting and grabbing the line and holding tight is not “earning” or being the cause of the rescue, it is merely recognizing I have a choice or
decision to make. If I refused the line the fault of my death would be mine… unless you're a Calvinist in which case it wouldn't be my fault
because I had no choice (though Calvinists will still tell you it was indeed your fault even though you had no choice to grab or not to grab the line,
your fate was already decided.)
...And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had
come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning
to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him... Matthew 14:28-31
In Matthew 14:28-31 Peter did not walk on the water by his own power, but by the power from Jesus. Peter was doing fine until he took his
eyes off Jesus and his doubt got the better of him. Peter was saved (from drowning) after he called out to Jesus. Jesus was there all the time and
available.
c. Which came first, your decision or regeneration by God?
This is an either/or question that seeks to distract from the real issue. They go hand in hand and cannot be separated. God approaches everyone
and everyone has the same decision to make, to accept God's gift or not:
d. Where did you get the desire and ability to come to Christ?
See c. above.
e. Where did your repentance and faith come from, you or God?
See c. above.
f. If we can accept or reject God's salvation doesn't that deny God's sovereignty?
No, it is the Calvinists saying that God can only accomplish His will by controlling every action which denies and limits God's sovereignty.
Knowing that God accomplishes His will while allowing us free will shows how all powerful He really is.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Calvinists are asking the wrong questions purposely to create confusion and doubt.
Here's the questions I ask instead, not as "GOTCHAS" but instead looking at the Word of God as a whole and not narrowly focused:
a. What did God create that was not good?
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:31
b. Did God create sin?
Sin entered the world when man disobeyed God.
c. Why did God create man?
God created man for a relationship with Him. God did not say “I created some for a relationship and some merely to send to hell.” Man was
created in God's image, therefore He would not have created sinful, evil, men, unless you're willing say that is God's image too. I'm not willing to
do that.
d. Did God create sinful man?
Man was created in God's image, therefore He would not have created sinful, evil men, unless you're willing to say that is God's image too,
something I'm not willing to do. The Bible tells us:
Sin is a consequence to allowing free will, and because God loved man so much He provided for man's salvation.
e. Do people ever do things that God tells them not to do? If so what is the result? Reward or punishment?
Death is the result of sin and disobedience and entered God's creation when Adam and Eve disobeyed God.
Some who follow Reformed Theology say “who are we to say what's good and what's not? If God makes us do something it is not for us to
decide if it's good or not.” In effect they tell us if God caused us to do something (sin) then it must be a good thing....
God's Word tells us what is good and what is not and God does not contradict Himself. The purpose of the Bible is to record God's Word and
plan for us. It is our instructions for living in this world.
July 10, 2006
Living in a fallen world
I've heard many people at church mention after they have recovered from a cold or flu that it was OK to be sick because God caused it to
happen for a reason. They will tell you the “only” reason they were sick because it was God's will. That is indeed a possibility, sometimes illness
is a means God uses to get our attention and coax us into a certain place or action. But it is also a possibility that their cold or flu, or even
something serious like cancer or a woman being raped is not caused by God but is sometimes merely the result of living in a fallen world.
Remember that the Bible says God can use all things for our good.
I have benefited from calamitous events that I don't think that God caused. Again, the events could have been the result of living in a fallen world
or by my poor choices. But because God is all-powerful, thankfully, He is able to use the worst of events for His glory and our good.
July 8, 2006
Testing
The purpose of our lives on earth is to glorify God and part of that involves having a personal relationship with Him, just as it will be on heaven.
There is another aspect of our earthly being which is that prior to an eternity in heaven with God (or in hell without God) we are tested. You
could also call it a refining process, like gold and silver, to get rid of impurities so that it does not enter heaven…
Some people are tested by hard times and adversity. Some fail the test while others in similar circumstances are drawn nearer to God and pass
the test. Put another way some people in the exact same situation reject God and some realize their dependence on Him. Both were given the
same opportunity.
Some people are tested with an easy life and plenty. Some people fail this test because their good circumstance makes it hard for them to realize
their need for God. Yet others pass this test and always realize their need for God. According to Jesus this is the hardest test and yet people jest
that this is the test they would rather face. Perhaps. But viewed from the stand point that it's eternity, not our brief time in this life, that we're
talking about maybe we should think twice about desiring this test.
An article in a recent The Alabama Baptist wrote of Albert Mohler at the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors Conference, “Mohler said
every person attending was probably a Calvinist to some degree. Belief in inerrancy, substitutionary atonement, divine omniscience and
the perseverance of those who accept Christ all owe something to Calvinism.”
No Albert, I have to disagree with you on this. We owe it to the Holy Spirit, not a man or his doctrine. I'd say that every person attending
probably believed in free will to some degree because Calvinists spend so much time trying to “convince” everyone they are right.
July 6, 2006
Disobeying God
To me the definition of “sin” * is being disobedient to God. Being disobedient or being obedient means we have free will. After all if we are
predestined to sin then we are in fact obeying God and therefore we are not being disobedient and if we're not disobedient then were not sinning.
Unfortunately those in the Reformed Theology community will tell you that if God causes you to do something that He expressly commanded you
not to do, who are we to say it's bad? They will tell you if God caused us to do something He commanded us not to do then it is not bad but is in
fact good. Oy vey! How's that for convoluted reasoning?
* Sin ... is violence and lovelessness toward other people, and ultimately, rebellion against God. Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical
Theology
* Sin is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Romans 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as
well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Romans 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of
our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties
Easton's Bible DictionaryWhen I’m charged with putting someone in the Hyper-Calvinist camp I've merely been quoting Augustine,
Martin Luther, and John Calvin, not someone who came along afterwards and changed or added to what the founders of this doctrine
espoused.
April 16, 2006
Notice Paul said it was his "heart's desire and prayer" that his fellow Jews would be saved. Paul did not say, "I have no one to pray for because
God has already determined who will be saved." He did however say that it was Christ that makes us righteous "for everyone who believes." It is
Christ's death, burial, and resurrection that makes us righteous. But we have to believe it in order to take advantage of it. Then Paul continues:
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says,
It doesn't get much clearer than this. We have a choice to make from our heart and the Lord's blessing are available "to all who call on him" again
based on what is in our heart. We can harden our heart or we can open it to God.
Cafeteria Calvinists
I remember back in the 70s when I was in High School a Catholic friend of mine was saying or doing something that I knew went against
Catholicism and when I asked him about it his reply was, “That’s OK, I’m a Cafeteria Catholic.” I asked him what that was and he told me
basically anything he didn’t he agree with, he disregarded, like walking through the line of a cafeteria taking just those things he liked.
All religions, denominations, and doctrinal differences have these types, that‘s normal. Keep in mind for the purpose of my discussion I’m talking
about adherence within a denomination or a particular doctrine, not between competing denominations or doctrines.
For example in basic Christianity Jesus is the Son of God Jesus died on the cross for our sins and arose again after three days. Christ is the only
way to gain salvation there are not “other paths to the same place.” Yet there are so-called Christians that deny one of more of these things.
There are basic doctrinal points that Catholics, Pentecostals, Southern Baptists, Lutherans and other denominations believe that make them
unique and part of that group.
If you deny the basic tenants of Christianity or a particular denomination in my book that means that you can’t honestly claim to be an adherent of
that religion or denomination.
Many of my Calvinist friends say that they are moderate or four-point Calvinists, not hyper-Calvinists as they claim I am painting them.
What is "Hyper-Calvinism"?
The hyper-Calvinist says that God loves only the Elect and sends everyone else to hell. A hyper-Calvinist is simply an honest Calvinist.
Nothing more and nothing less.
When I’m charged with putting someone in the Hyper-Calvinist camp that objects to that characterization I've merely been quoting Augustine,
Martin Luther, and John Calvin, not someone who came along afterwards and changed or added to what the founders of this doctrine espoused
and drawing logical conclusions (in other words connecting the dots). To deny hyper-Calvinism (that is true Calvinism) is to claim that it is
extreme. Calling the founders of Calvinism extremists or hyper is like calling Mohammed a radical or extremist Muslim. How can it be hyper
or extreme anything when the very words and arguments of the founders are used?
What is a “Moderate Calvinist"?
The moderate Calvinist says God loves everyone, but still sends those who are not the Elect (that He predetermined) to hell for eternal torment
and damnation. That difference is just splitting hairs as the end result is the same. A moderate Calvinist is basically uncomfortable with the idea
that God created some people whom he doesn't love, after all God is love. I haven't met a true moderate Calvinist yet who didn't revert back
into hyper-Calvinism when backed into a corner.
Some who claim to be moderate Calvinists are sometimes really four-point Calvinists. Keep in mind there are not always clear distinctions
between moderate and four-point Calvinists. The distinctions presented here are my own, based on discussions with Calvinist friends and
reading Reformed Theology websites, and are used here for the sake of illustration and discussion.
What is a “four-point” Calvinist?
Someone who claims they are a Calvinist but who rejects one or more petals of TULIP. It's not always the same petal that is removed. One petal
that is perhaps most often removed by four-point Calvinists is “Limited Atonement”, the idea that God only wants a only certain number of
certain people saved and the rest were specifically created to spend eternity in hell. Like a person walking down a cafeteria line some four point
(and even three point) Calvinists may reject limited atonement or other petals (depending on what they find distasteful or objectionable)of TULIP,
that is to say Calvinism.
The truth for a Cafeteria Calvinist (a four-point and some moderate Calvinists) is that by removing one or more petals from that TULIP they
destroy it and so, if they want to be honest about their position, they must revert back to hyper-Calvinism, or reject Calvinism altogether.
13 November 2008
Knock knock (no joke)
- "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone
who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him,
and he with Me. Revelation 3:20
5 Nov 2008
- So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:12
If we have to give an account for our actions then clearly we are responsible for our actions obviously have free will. If our actions were
predetermined we would not be responsible for them.
7 July 2008
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort
you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in
unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness,
and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1:3-4
So how can one “contend for the faith” if, as Reform Theology insists, that faith was arbitrarily given or withheld according to God's “good
pleasure”?
- Note on Jude 1:3-4: "Who were before of old ordained to this condemnation" should be made clear first of all. It actually means that
they were written of beforehand. The word ordained is prographo, meaning "to write beforehand." It simply means that other writers
had sounded the warning about apostates. —J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible
15 June 2008
Sovereignty: “Causes” vs. “Uses”
Calvinists claim that if man has free will then God is not sovereign, that God is not ultimately in control. This notion is just clearly wrong and
actually limits God's sovereignty.
God can use all things, all circumstances for good. It doesn't mean God causes all things. But because God is indeed “sovereign” He can use all
things for His purpose and glory.
Therefore, even though God gives us free will and allows us to make choices there is no danger, as Calvinists claim, of God's sovereignty being
limited, threatened or compromised. God is always in control and this is a good example of how even with free will God's sovereignty is not
threatened but actually demonstrates just how Sovereign He is.
Example: all adversity can be a teaching or growing moment for us. God doesn't have to cause a particular event, but He can use that event. That
is sovereignty.
As I have always said it is not free will that limits God's sovereignty but the Calvinistic notion of predestination or predetermination that says God
can only accomplish His will be predetermining, before time, every action every person makes, even sin.
Calvinism and predestination means God is limited and fearful. It means He is only in control if He pre-programs and scripts every action of every
person and decides in advance who will fry and who will not, that is not sovereignty.
Free will shows that man indeed has choices to make but that no matter what happens, God is not threatened or lessened by it and His will is
always accomplished. That is sovereignty!
May 10, 2008
The Bible tells us not only that God hates sin but also that Satan tempts us and causes us to sin… in Calvinism, or Reformed Theology, it isn't
Satan but God who not only tempts us but makes us sin…
The Bible:
- …in Him is no sin… the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God
appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:5-8
- Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith,
1 Peter 5:8-9
Calvinism/Reformed Theology:
- I believe that nothing happens apart from divine determination and decree. Charles H. Spurgeon
"Even the fall of Adam, and through him the fall of the race, was not by chance or accident, but was so ordained in the secret
councils of God." Lorraine Boettner, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination p. 234
“All things that happen in all the world at any time and in all history—whether inorganic matter, vegetation, animal, man or
angels (both good and evil ones-- come to pass because God ordained them, Even sin- the fall of the devil from heaven, the fall
of Adam, and every evil thought, word, and deed in all of history.” Edwin Palmer, The Five Points of Calvinism, 1999
"It is even biblical to say that God has foreordained sin.” Edwin Palmer, The Five Points of Calvinism
"No, he has foreordained everything 'after the counsel of his will': the moving of a finger, the beating of a heart, the laughter of a
girl, the mistake of a typist -- even sin." Edwin Palmer, The Five Points of Calvinism
"God fore-ordains everything which comes to pass....God initiates all things, regulates all things...." Arthur W. Pink, The
Sovereignty of God (Baker Book House, 1984), 240
“…God desired for man to fall into sin… God created sin...” R.C. Sproul, Jr., Almighty Over All, 1999
October 21, 2007
Using the typical Calvinist predestination logic one cannot explain why God punishes for disobedience when each and every action is
predetermined or preprogrammed.
Take King David for example. Adultery and murder are specifically prohibited by God. Was David obeying God when he committed adultery
with Bathsheba and then had her husband murdered? Apparently Calvinists think so which "obviously" explains why God punished David for
those actions...
The usual Calvinist response to "why" is to respond "We are mere humans who can not understand why God does what he does."
It is an untrue statement because God reveals to us through Scripture what He wants us to do and what He doesn't want us to, and yes, even at
times "why." God does not contradict Himself by saying "do not do 'X'" and then making us do 'X.'
May 24, 2007
- Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from
their ways and live? Ezekiel 18:23
If God predestined some specifically to sin and bound for eternal damnation then He would have done so because He took pleasure in it, not out
of some unknowable sense of justice or holiness. This is not the God of Abraham, it is the god of Islam, who according to the Koran, created sin
.
- Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt
anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives
birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death....Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and
receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:13-15;21
Genesis tells us our God did not create sin. Everything He created was and is good, though Reformed Theology tells us only God can determine
what is good and we should not presume to determine for God what is good and what is evil.
Excuse me, but that is why we have the scriptures and the Holy Spirit. God wants us to be clear about what sin is and what is holy. God is not
vague and does not resort to trickery. God is extremely clear about what he wants for us and what He expects of us. Isn't that wonderful?
Sin is refusing to love and obey God. It is knowing to do good and not doing it. Now if God predestined us to sin we would be obeying Him
therefore it wouldn't be sin would it?
May 6, 2007
Calvinists like to claim that to believe in free will denies God's sovereignty and omniscient character. They'll pose the following question(s) as
another "gotcha" question:
Q1: Does God "know everything": To answer "no" denies God's sovereignty and to answer "yes" implies that predestination is correct.
Q2: Does anything take God by surprise? To answer "no" implies predestination is correct and to answer "yes" denies God's sovereignty
What are my answers you ask?
A1: God knows everything He wants to know.
A2: Even God says at least three different times that people do things that He didn't command or think of:
"'The people of Judah have done evil in my eyes, declares the LORD. They have set up their detestable idols in the house that bears my Name
and have defiled it. They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to burn their sons and daughters in the fire--something
I did not command, nor did it enter my mind." Jeremiah 7:30-31
- "This is what the LORD says...For they have forsaken me ...They have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire
as offerings to Baal--something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind." Jeremiah 19:1-5
- [Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:] "They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons
and daughters to Molech, though I never commanded, nor did it enter my mind, that they should do such a detestable thing and
so make Judah sin." Jeremiah 32:35
December 28, 2006
The Unpardonable Sin
Reformed Theology talks about "irresistible" Grace, yet that doesn't quite square "the unpardonable sin" which is rejecting the call from the
Holy Spirit.
- "...I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." Mark 3:28-29
"...And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who
speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this
age or in the age to come." Matthew 12:31-32
"...Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the
name of God's one and only Son ." John 3:18
John the Baptist said, "...Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath
remains on him." John 3:36
"The unforgivable sin of speaking against the Holy Spirit has been interpreted in various ways, but the true meaning cannot contradict other
Scripture. It is unequivocally clear that the one unforgivable sin is permanently rejecting Christ (John 3:18; 3:36). Thus, speaking against the Holy
Spirit is equivalent to rejecting Christ with such finality that no future repentance is possible. 'My spirit shall not always strive with man,' God said
long ago (Genesis 6:3). ...In the context of this particular passage (Matthew 12:22-32), Jesus had performed a great miracle of creation, involving
both healing and casting out a demon, but the Pharisees rejected this clear witness of the Holy Spirit. Instead they attributed His powers to Satan,
thus demonstrating an attitude permanently resistant to the Spirit, and to the deity and saving Gospel of Christ"
[Henry M. Morris, The Defender's Study Bible (Iowa Falls, Iowa: World Bible Publishers, 1995), emphasis added.]. www.christiananswers.
net/q-eden/unpardonablesin.html
December 27, 2006
I just read on a Reformed Theology website an article warning how the spread of Islam in Europe was going to overtake Europe if people didn't
"do" something to stop the spread.
Actually I have no problem with that sentiment, except to say this "doctor" of Reformed Theology apparently doesn't believe in Reformed
Theology or Predestination after all, because if he did whether Europe is taken over by Islam or not would mean that the outcome was
predetermined and that we can't "do" anything to combat it because it is God's will.
He's right, we need to "do" something, and that something is to tell those in Europe (both the Europeans and Muslims) about Jesus and that they
have a choice to make!
November 10, 2006
God uses Christians to appeal to nonbelievers
Paul tells us:
- We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be
reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
If we have no choice in accepting or rejecting God's salvation then why is God using Christians to make His appeal to non-believers? If it's
already been determined then no appealing is required. So once again we see that we do indeed have free will to accept or reject God's gift of
salvation.
October 15, 2006
"GOTCHA" Questions
Here's a Yes or No only question: "Do you still beat your wife?"
If you have never beaten your wife there is no way to answer it yes or no without looking like a wife-beater. Yes (I still beat my wife) or No (I
don't beat my wife any more).
How about this one: Yes or No: "Is God so powerful that He can create a rock so heavy that He can't lift it?"
It's a silly question that doesn't even deserve consideration. However, my answer to that is "That would go against God's nature, why would He
want to do that?"
“Either/Or” questions fit in the same category as “yes/no only” questions; they purposefully limit your ability to give a correct answer so that the
other side can use the limitation in their favor.
Calvinists have their own GOTCHA questions to try to prove their doctrine of Predestination or Reformed Theology. They try to over
complicate a simple issue by oversimplifying the issues. "GOTCHA" questions are carefully skewed to give a limited response.
GOTCHA questions are how the Scribes and Pharisees tried to trip up Jesus and the Apostles. Jesus and the Apostles never seemed to answer
the questions the way the Scribes and Pharisees anticipated (as those who are responding to Calvinists challenges should not be coerced into
doing either); rather they gave a reasoned response that basically rephrased the issue correctly.
Here are a few standard questions GOTCHA Calvinists ask:
a. Who gets the credit for your decision for Christ: You or God?
The questions should be “Who gets credit for your salvation?” and the answer is God because Jesus died and paid the price for my sin. Looking
for credit for the decision on my part is silly as a decision is required. Getting "credit" is not the issue. Yet Calvinists will always claim that
“accepting” is earning.” See further explanation in b.
b. If we can accept or reject God's salvation doesn't that mean that we had a hand in our own salvation?
That's like saying if I am drowning in a violent storm and a rescuer throws me a line that I get credit for the rescue for grabbing and holding on. I
could have very well have said, “I can get back to shore on my own” and refused to take what was offered, drowning in the process.
Accepting and grabbing the line and holding tight is not “earning” or being the cause of the rescue, it is merely recognizing I have a choice or
decision to make. If I refused the line the fault of my death would be mine… unless you're a Calvinist in which case it wouldn't be my fault
because I had no choice (though Calvinists will still tell you it was indeed your fault even though you had no choice to grab or not to grab the line,
your fate was already decided.)
...And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had
come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning
to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him... Matthew 14:28-31
In Matthew 14:28-31 Peter did not walk on the water by his own power, but by the power from Jesus. Peter was doing fine until he took his
eyes off Jesus and his doubt got the better of him. Peter was saved (from drowning) after he called out to Jesus. Jesus was there all the time and
available.
c. Which came first, your decision or regeneration by God?
This is an either/or question that seeks to distract from the real issue. They go hand in hand and cannot be separated. God approaches everyone
and everyone has the same decision to make, to accept God's gift or not:
d. Where did you get the desire and ability to come to Christ?
See c. above.
e. Where did your repentance and faith come from, you or God?
See c. above.
f. If we can accept or reject God's salvation doesn't that deny God's sovereignty?
No, it is the Calvinists saying that God can only accomplish His will by controlling every action which denies and limits God's sovereignty.
Knowing that God accomplishes His will while allowing us free will shows how all powerful He really is.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Calvinists are asking the wrong questions purposely to create confusion and doubt.
Here's the questions I ask instead, not as "GOTCHAS" but instead looking at the Word of God as a whole and not narrowly focused:
a. What did God create that was not good?
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:31
b. Did God create sin?
Sin entered the world when man disobeyed God.
- Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because
all sinned. Romans 5:12
c. Why did God create man?
- God created man in his own image... Genesis 1:27
God created man for a relationship with Him. God did not say “I created some for a relationship and some merely to send to hell.” Man was
created in God's image, therefore He would not have created sinful, evil, men, unless you're willing say that is God's image too. I'm not willing to
do that.
d. Did God create sinful man?
Man was created in God's image, therefore He would not have created sinful, evil men, unless you're willing to say that is God's image too,
something I'm not willing to do. The Bible tells us:
- God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes. Ecclesiastes 7:29
Sin is a consequence to allowing free will, and because God loved man so much He provided for man's salvation.
- You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; Psalm 5:4
- The LORD loves righteousness and justice Psalms 33:5
e. Do people ever do things that God tells them not to do? If so what is the result? Reward or punishment?
Death is the result of sin and disobedience and entered God's creation when Adam and Eve disobeyed God.
- "...Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" Then the man said, "The woman whom
You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."" Genesis 3:11-13
- This is what the LORD says...For they have forsaken me ...They have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as
offerings to Baal--something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind. Jeremiah 19:1-5
Some who follow Reformed Theology say “who are we to say what's good and what's not? If God makes us do something it is not for us to
decide if it's good or not.” In effect they tell us if God caused us to do something (sin) then it must be a good thing....
God's Word tells us what is good and what is not and God does not contradict Himself. The purpose of the Bible is to record God's Word and
plan for us. It is our instructions for living in this world.
July 10, 2006
Living in a fallen world
I've heard many people at church mention after they have recovered from a cold or flu that it was OK to be sick because God caused it to
happen for a reason. They will tell you the “only” reason they were sick because it was God's will. That is indeed a possibility, sometimes illness
is a means God uses to get our attention and coax us into a certain place or action. But it is also a possibility that their cold or flu, or even
something serious like cancer or a woman being raped is not caused by God but is sometimes merely the result of living in a fallen world.
Remember that the Bible says God can use all things for our good.
- And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
[Now notice that all things are working together for good for them "who are the called" ones, and it is "according to his purpose." This is
something that is hard for a great many people to swallow. "The called" are those who not only have received an invitation, they have
accepted it.—J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible]
I have benefited from calamitous events that I don't think that God caused. Again, the events could have been the result of living in a fallen world
or by my poor choices. But because God is all-powerful, thankfully, He is able to use the worst of events for His glory and our good.
July 8, 2006
Testing
The purpose of our lives on earth is to glorify God and part of that involves having a personal relationship with Him, just as it will be on heaven.
There is another aspect of our earthly being which is that prior to an eternity in heaven with God (or in hell without God) we are tested. You
could also call it a refining process, like gold and silver, to get rid of impurities so that it does not enter heaven…
Some people are tested by hard times and adversity. Some fail the test while others in similar circumstances are drawn nearer to God and pass
the test. Put another way some people in the exact same situation reject God and some realize their dependence on Him. Both were given the
same opportunity.
Some people are tested with an easy life and plenty. Some people fail this test because their good circumstance makes it hard for them to realize
their need for God. Yet others pass this test and always realize their need for God. According to Jesus this is the hardest test and yet people jest
that this is the test they would rather face. Perhaps. But viewed from the stand point that it's eternity, not our brief time in this life, that we're
talking about maybe we should think twice about desiring this test.
An article in a recent The Alabama Baptist wrote of Albert Mohler at the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors Conference, “Mohler said
every person attending was probably a Calvinist to some degree. Belief in inerrancy, substitutionary atonement, divine omniscience and
the perseverance of those who accept Christ all owe something to Calvinism.”
No Albert, I have to disagree with you on this. We owe it to the Holy Spirit, not a man or his doctrine. I'd say that every person attending
probably believed in free will to some degree because Calvinists spend so much time trying to “convince” everyone they are right.
July 6, 2006
Disobeying God
To me the definition of “sin” * is being disobedient to God. Being disobedient or being obedient means we have free will. After all if we are
predestined to sin then we are in fact obeying God and therefore we are not being disobedient and if we're not disobedient then were not sinning.
Unfortunately those in the Reformed Theology community will tell you that if God causes you to do something that He expressly commanded you
not to do, who are we to say it's bad? They will tell you if God caused us to do something He commanded us not to do then it is not bad but is in
fact good. Oy vey! How's that for convoluted reasoning?
* Sin ... is violence and lovelessness toward other people, and ultimately, rebellion against God. Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical
Theology
* Sin is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Romans 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as
well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Romans 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of
our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties
Easton's Bible DictionaryWhen I’m charged with putting someone in the Hyper-Calvinist camp I've merely been quoting Augustine,
Martin Luther, and John Calvin, not someone who came along afterwards and changed or added to what the founders of this doctrine
espoused.
April 16, 2006
- Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they
are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God
and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be
righteousness for everyone who believes. Romans 10:1-4
Notice Paul said it was his "heart's desire and prayer" that his fellow Jews would be saved. Paul did not say, "I have no one to pray for because
God has already determined who will be saved." He did however say that it was Christ that makes us righteous "for everyone who believes." It is
Christ's death, burial, and resurrection that makes us righteous. But we have to believe it in order to take advantage of it. Then Paul continues:
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says,
- "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is
Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Romans 10:10-13
It doesn't get much clearer than this. We have a choice to make from our heart and the Lord's blessing are available "to all who call on him" again
based on what is in our heart. We can harden our heart or we can open it to God.
- _______________________________________________________
http://www.freewill-predestination.com/