Concerning Predestination By Joshua Evers

*Just a heads up, this post is 1300 words long as it reveals my position and understanding  on predestination in light of our assigned reading. Hopefully it’s a quick read!*

John Calvin is known as one of the most vilified theologians in church history. His name is one strongly connected with controversy and can be very divisive. I mentioned in one of my comments that it is very important to understand something that you claim to disagree with, just as it’s important to understand what we claim to hold so dearly and agree with. This is not to assert that everyone disagrees with Calvin simply out of ignorance, but to just remind us that we need to be aware of our decisions. I personally feel this conviction concerning the Bible, to know what I claim to follow and agree wholeheartedly, coupled with an appreciation and love for the scriptures in that studying them will better prepare me to minister to a congregation and preach the Word of God in a manner that most glorifies Him and Him alone.

Now for the nitty gritty, one of the most argued doctrines among theologians and laypeople alike. To set the groundwork, predestination and election exist, and by that I mean that scripture mentions it and uses those terms. Any bible believing christian must accept this, however, the interpretations of what predestination and election specifically are, as well as their conditions, have become the realms in which many christians hold different understandings.

First I think it’s necessary to point out that we, as the sinful descendants of Adam, are in need of a savior, and that God sent His one and only son Jesus Christ, God in human flesh, to live a perfect and holy life in active obedience to the Father and die a miserable and humiliating death on the cross so that those who believe in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. This is the only way to be forgiven of our sins, that Christ’s merit is accredited to us and we are made heirs to the kingdom of heaven just as Christ said. This we agree in. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life as he said in John 14:6, nobody comes to the father except through Him.

The doctrines of election and predestination are very specific, but they are heavily intertwined in Soteriology (Doctrine of Salvation) as well as the Nature of Man. Understanding these two subjects will help in our understanding towards predestination. After all, what would be the point in election if everyone went to heaven? Or if Man’s Nature was impeccable, and thus he was unable to sin in the first place? Also, it is important for us to agree that individuals can be true believers while not understanding how they were saved, or even having an incorrect understanding. Thus, I will share my understanding, which is certainly capable of error.

The book of Ephesians helped me develop my understanding of how sin affects the unbeliever. Ephesians 2:1 states that we “were dead in our transgressions and sins.” Paul just stated that we were spiritually dead. The first hundred times I read this I simply said the words in my mind and continued to the next verse. I understood it as we were lost, and that’s not wrong. What I didn’t realize is the extent of which we as humans are lost. We are dead in our sins. What is the one thing we know about a dead person or thing? It does not respond. That’s how we conclude something is dead as well. It will not respond. Regardless of our poking or prodding, if something is dead, it will not respond to our actions and words. Paul, in Ephesians 2, was referring to the state of the believers before they came to Christ, when they were unbelievers. Further, the beginning of  Romans 8 involves Paul writing considering how we as believers have life in the Spirit. As a contrast, Paul mentions how unbelievers are in the flesh. Beginning in verse 6 and continuing through verse 8, he says “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”    (Rom. 8:6-8). Once again, it appears that there is this inability for the unbeliever to change from their sinful nature. This is a pretty bad situation for the unbeliever, and it appears that they are in need of a miracle. Thankfully, the same passage of Ephesians 2 has some magnificent news. Paul says “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved- and raised up with him…” (Ephesians 2:4-6a). Even when we were dead, unresponsive and unable to please God, He made us alive together with Christ. That’s phenomenal. A total miracle. This isn’t cherry picked out of scripture either. It’s reflected in commands such as praying for an unbeliever to accept Christ. Why would we pray for someone to accept Christ if they have to make that decision on their own? Even the analogies surrounding conversion have maintained consistency in this understanding. The third chapter in John is famous in how Jesus explained to Nicodemus that he must be born again. How does one contribute to their physical birth? They don’t. It makes sense that an unbeliever wouldn’t contribute anything to their spiritual birth either. The same goes for being made Children (Rom. 8:15; Rom. 8:21; 1 John 3:1-2; Gal. 3:26) in that we didn’t choose our parents. And there are plenty more analogies that support this, including but not limited to: the potter and the clay, the tare and the wheat, the goats and the sheep, adoption, and the idea that fishers of men catch fish rather than fish latching on to them.

Now, I must say that I agree with John Calvin’s stance on predestination. I decided avoid use of specific points and biblical texts found in Calvin’s Institutes concerning predestination, rather I used my own explanation to avoid redundancy. No I don’t sit in a dark corner and laugh maniacally. Instead, I take great comfort in election. I feel so secure in the arms of God, and know that He will carry out His promises to the end. I remember when I was a little kid in a big city. I was nervous when we would be walking in a big crowd, and then my father would grab my hand so that I was by his side. Immediately I felt an immeasurable sense of peace and joy, my dad wouldn't let anything happen to me, and his hands, very large hands, securely kept me safe. In this same manner, but on a much larger level, I take a deep comfort in the doctrine of election, knowing that God is in total control. I don’t worry about anything becoming an obstacle to an unbeliever because they come to Christ through the miracle of God. The death of children, the mentally disabled, and any other barrier are no match for the power of God. I’m happy to share the Gospel with whoever I may and understand that it’s God who provides the change, not my persuasive speech. I don’t agree with the teachings of Calvin because they’re historical, controversial, or complicated. Rather I believe that scripture teaches such. That’s my understanding, and if any one of you took the time to read this long and drawn out post, I am very grateful. If anyone does not agree with my understanding of predestination, I will not be offended in any way and hope that they will not be offended either. Nor do I take offense to jokes about Calvinism, or other second level issues.

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” Psalms 95:6-7

I commented on the posts of Will and Moriah.